Spaces of Culture, Places of Belonging—An Analytical Perspective on Participatory Governance and Placemaking in European Capitals of Culture

This article explores the extent of ECoCs (European Capitals of Culture) as placemaking laboratories. Methodologically, this study employed a mixed-methods approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with public and private stakeholders involved in the ECoC programming, and questionnaires were applied to capture personal insights of citizens. Data were correlated within spatial contexts using ArcGIS spatial analyses. The findings show that placemaking within ECoCs is more effective when embedded in transparent governance structures. Local narratives anchor placemaking in the everyday life of citizens. This placemaking legacy depends less on tangible inputs and more on the cultivation of processes and policies that empower communities to articulate and negotiate their sense of belonging within an inclusive and understanding governance structure. Also, we highlight that the latest ECoC included an ecological dimension within placemaking processes. Ultimately, this study illustrates that ECoCs become critical lenses to understand how culture-driven placemaking adds value to places, changes perceptions and behaviours of residents, and contributes to a stronger feeling of collective belonging.