ABSTRACT
This chapter directly compares the individual experiences of the European Capitals of Culture of Genoa 2004, Liverpool 2008 and Istanbul 2010, reviewing the consistent themes and goals emerging between them. Particularly, all three cities intended to use their ECoC events to regenerate the city, promote tourism and achieve a set of future development goals. These common themes serve as a starting point for relating the experiences of these cases to other cities using cultural and other types of mega-events towards similar ends. These cases confirm a primary interest of city decision makers in the desired secondary effects of both heritage and mega-events and the significance this shift has for heritage and events. The three cases reveal how infrequently heritage and mega-events are adequately planned together, highlighting the need for a better understanding of these issues and how they can practically be addressed. The chapter also discusses the key role that heritage actors can and should play in these processes, along with broader practices of public participation, and the particular adaptability of cultural mega-events.
