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154: Going beyond the city borders – Culture’s role in regional development, with a special focus on European Capital of Culture
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Culture has a cutting edge role in the present-day world, both regarding economic and social point of view. Although the cultural sector is often criticised by being ‘elitist’, there is an increasing intention of stakeholders to make culture accessible for everybody. Pulsing cultural life is an important dimension of attractive cities attracting young talents, and improving locals’ quality of life. Availability of cultural products and services is an important element of city branding indices, and of city rankings. The European Union puts also a great emphasis on making culture more accessible, the European Capital of Culture initiative (with more than 60 cities awarded) defines culture in the broader sense enabling culture more accessible to all social groups. More and more smaller cities and regions being European Capital of Culture implement strategies to overcome geographical barriers. The main goal of the session is to share research results unveiling the role of culture oriented developments in regional development. From the place point of view, contributions addressing European Capital of Culture cities or regions, furthermore rural areas are welcome. Conceptual, theoretical, and methodological contributions, furthermore best practices, case studies can provide a valuable input for the discussion that seek to address the question of culture can support regional development, and by that contribute to a more sustainable future in rural areas. | |
| Presentations | |
From Miners to Students to Knowledge-Intensive Entrepreneurs? On the (Sociocultural) Complexities of Establishing Entrepreneurship in Post-Industrial Regional Development Technical University of Berlin, Germany In line with Grabher’s (1993a; 1993b) seminal work on path dependencies and “Verhinderungsallianzen,” this study explores how deeply ingrained sociocultural dynamics shape the Ruhr Area’s transition from an industrial monoculture to a nascent entrepreneurial economy. By drawing on theoretical building blocks on path development and change (Hassink 2010; Geels 2019), we frame Stam’s (2015) conceptualization of entrepreneurial ecosystems as contexts for entrepreneurial activity. The contribution focalizes on the cognitive, emotional, and social-institutional lock-ins that persist despite growing efforts to foster entrepreneurship. Semi-structured interviews (n=30) with regional (knowlesge-intensive) entrepreneurs, intermediaries, and policymakers expose long-standing mindsets and cultural proclivities that favor job security over risk-taking, rooted in the Ruhr’s history of heavy industry and powerful legacy firms. We find, cultural attitudes hamper the emergence of a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) by dampening the attraction of talent, inhibiting new venture creation, and perpetuating skepticism toward entrepreneurial careers. At the same time, our data demonstrates incremental but meaningful changes: local success stories, intercommunal collaboration, and renewed leadership in governance signal an evolving recognition of entrepreneurship as a viable path for regional development. These findings reinforce the importance of social and cultural processes in either slowing or accelerating the formation of an EE (Stam 2015; Mack & Mayer 206; Roundy & Fayard 2018). As Grabher (1993a; 1993b) underscores, lock-in effects can be deeply embedded in regional identities, yet they can gradually be dismantled through intentional interventions and the collective reimagining of what the Ruhr stands for. By examining the complex interplay of resource endowments, cultural narratives, and institutional frameworks, the study illuminates how sociocultural factors can sustain or reshape regional trajectories. Ultimately, the research highlights the critical role of dismantling cognitive and affective barriers to realize the Ruhr Area’s entrepreneurial potential, thereby paving the way for a more adaptable and knowledge-driven future. Celebrating culture without borders: The twin town Gorizia-Nova Gorica as European Capital of Culture 2025 Saarland University, Germany Europe is, and has always been changing. This is evident, for example, in the cross-border twin city of Gorizia (Italy) and Nova Gorica (Slovenia). The area was characterised by changing national affiliations. For a long time, it was considered ‘one’ city, but with the Peace of Paris in 1947 and the newly defined state border between Italy and Yugoslavia, it was divided into western and eastern parts. From then on, the Iron Curtain shielded the border for decades. After Slovenia joined the EU in 2004 and the Schengen area three years later, fences and border controls gave way to a renewed, deeper exchange and the neighbourhoods started to move closer together again. At the same time, the decades of separation – for example in the area of infrastructure – remain visible until today. In 2025, both cities hold the title of European Capital of Culture following a joint candidature, making them the first ‘European Capital of Borderless Culture’. The cities wish to share their past, their stories and their people to showcase creativity and solidarity across borders. With events like a ‘Smuggling Tour’, a ‘Cross-Border Cultural Hub’, an Art Exhibition that explores what lies beyond borders, or their ‘Borderless Map’ for visitors to plan their stay, borders become the main theme of the programme. With their past in mind and with current initiatives to foster cross-border links, the question arises as to what extent the appointment as European Capital of Culture 2025 will provide additional impetus to bring the two cities of Gorizia and Nova Gorica and their inhabitants closer together. In what way do cultural offerings and developments contribute to cross-border cohesion and regional development? In our paper, we provide insights into the programme and projects of this European Capital of Culture 2025 and reflect upon how the border theme is transported to visitors. From a theoretical perspective, we classify the opportunities that cultural innovations can unfold for cross-border relations, regional development, and European integration at a small scale. Culture for All? Access to Culture from the Perspective of the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) Programme University of Pannonia, Hungary George Orwell’s observation that “All animals are equal, but some are more equal” highlights the inequalities surrounding cultural access. Despite culture’s significance in our lives, barriers persist, particularly for individuals in smaller towns and rural areas facing geographical, financial, health, and linguistic challenges. The European Capital of Culture (ECoC) programme aims to enhance cultural access by promoting shared values of European culture while supporting local creative industries and improving tourism. Since 1985, over 60 municipalities have been designated ECoC, including Pécs in 2010 and Veszprém and the Bakony-Balaton region in 2023 from Hungary. The ECoC title places a city in the European spotlight, fostering cultural projects that celebrate its unique cultural identity. These initiatives encourage local participation, helping communities engage through shared history and cultural practices. This study, based on interviews with stakeholders and experts, along with a panel discussion, addresses three key questions: - What proposals can be made post-VEB2023 ECoC programme to enhance cultural access? - What is the long-term legacy regarding cultural access from the ECoC cities? - How should the ECoC programme's proposals and criteria be refined from the EU perspective? The findings indicate that the VEB2023 ECoC programme significantly enriched the local cultural landscape, featuring over 3,600 events across 24 genres, thus invigorating the lives of residents and visitors alike. This initiative not only facilitated community development through cultural activities but also fostered collaboration among 117 local authorities to craft and realize a shared vision. Projects like the GyárKert community space, ActiCity Dance Centre, and the Pajta programme exemplify efforts to enhance access to culture in the region. At the EU-supported "Access is Success - Opportunities and Challenges of Accessing Culture in Contemporary Europe" conference in 2024, participants and experts highlighted the positive impact of the ECoC programme on both the cultural sector and public life in the host city and its surrounding municipalities. They highlighted the significance of volunteering, the principles and practical aspects of long-term sustainability, the need for cultural access, and the importance of intersectoral collaboration. The Role of Culture in Tourism: A Generational Study in Hungary 1Metropolitan University of Budapest (METU), Hungary; 2Faculty of Economics of Alexander Lámfalussy Sopron University The interplay between culture and tourism plays a significant role in shaping destination development and attractiveness. Our research aims to explore the role of culture in the travel decisions of the Hungarian population, with a particular focus on generational differences. Additionally, we investigate how familiar Hungarian people are with domestic and international destinations, and which cultural products and attractions they associate with specific destinations. Furthermore, the study extends to examining both consumers’ and destinations’ sustainability perspectives. From the consumer side, we focus on the extent to which environmental protection, support for local communities, and sustainable resource use are considered in cultural tourism decisions. On the destination side, we analyze strategies that contribute to long-term sustainability and the preservation of cultural values. The research employs an online quantitative survey methodology, featuring predominantly closed-ended questions. The survey utilizes nominal, ordinal, and scale questions to uncover detailed insights into cultural preferences, attitudes, and sustainability considerations. Special attention is given to World Heritage Sites and national heritage locations, as well as the comparison of highly frequented and less-known destinations. Key outcomes of the research include the identification of cultural products and categories, alongside an analysis of sustainability factors, offering a deeper understanding of the role of cultural attractions in travel decisions and regional development. The collected data is analyzed using statistical methods, yielding variables and indicators that reveal further correlations. Our findings are particularly valuable for destination developers, offering insights to support the creation of complex and sustainable tourism products. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the connections between cultural tourism, sustainability, and regional development, facilitating the design of long-term viable and innovative tourism strategies. | |