Neoliberal place competition and <i>culturephilia</i>: explored through the lens of Derry~Londonderry

Boland, Philip; Murtagh, Brendan; Shirlow, Peter

doi:10.1080/14649365.2018.1514649

Cited by 14 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 107 publications

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“…This mixed methods approach allowed the authors to triangulate the findings which added to the richness of the data (Hay, 2011). Given the uniquely contentious environment (Boland, Murtagh and Shirlow, 2018) the authors had to ensure that the sample was not biased towards one community (PUL or CRN) and the views of all respondents were treated with respect and sensitivity (Jordan and Gibson, 2004). Critical case sampling, a form of purposive sampling, was used to select the interviewees.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Building social capital in a divided city: the potential of events

Devine

Quinn

2019

Journal of Sustainable Tourism

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It is widely held that social capital can help build sustainable communities (Cuthill 2010), yet researchers agree that further research is needed to fully understand the social dimensions of sustainable development (Getz 2009). In event settings, understanding how social capital is formed remains limited (Wilks 2011). This paper addresses this issue by examining the extent to which the UK City of Culture 2013 (CoC13) succeeded in building social capital in post-conflict Derry/Londonderry. The authors adopted a case study approach and mixed qualitative methods in the form of in-depth interviews and focus groups. The findings suggest that CoC13 helped to generate both bonding and bridging social capital, however, while intra community bonds were strengthened, exclusivity was also fostered. More positive were the examples of bridging capital cultivated across communities, particularly between young attendees, and between event organisers, with cooperation building trust and goodwill between volunteers. Some of the cross community relationships developed have been sustained. However, the lack of legacy planning has meant that the long-term social goals have not been met. In summary, the study suggests that in a post conflict society, events can help build social capital. However, in the absence of legacy planning, the benefits gained may soon evaporate.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Building social capital in a divided city: the potential of events

Devine

Quinn

2019

Journal of Sustainable Tourism

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“…There were approximately 60 interviews in all, with participants aged between 16 and 86. A majority of my participants were non-elite stakeholders, “whose views are often unheard in official renditions of impact and legacy” (Boland et al , 2020, p. 791) and acted as a “view from the ground” counterpoint to official narratives.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The cultural politics of civic pride through Hull UK City of Culture 2017

Howcroft

2023

AAM

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PurposeThis article explores the cultural politics of civic pride through Hull's year as UK City of Culture (UKCoC) in 2017. It unpicks some of the socio-political meanings and values of civic pride in Hull and critiques the ways in which pride, as an indicator of identity and belonging, was mobilised by UKCoC organisers, funders and city leaders. It argues for more nuanced and critical approaches to the consideration and evaluation of pride through cultural mega events (CMEs) that can take account of pride's multiple forms, meanings and temporalities.Design/methodology/approachA multidimensional, mixed methods approach is taken, incorporating the critical analysis of Hull2017 promotional materials and events and original interviews with a range of stakeholders.FindingsThe desire for socio-economic change and renewed identity has dominated Hull's post-industrial sense of self and is often expressed through the language of pride. This article argues that UKCoC organisers, cognisant of this, crafted and tightly controlled a singular pride narrative to create the feeling of change and legitimise the entrepreneurial re-branding of the city. At the same time, UKCoC organisers overlooked the opportunity to engage with and potentially reactivate the political culture of Hull, which like other “left behind” or “structurally disadvantaged” places, is becoming increasingly anti-political.Originality/valueThrough the case study of a relatively unresearched and under-represented city, this paper contributes to cultural policy literatures concerned with critically assessing the benefits and shortcomings of Cultural Mega Events and to a more specific field concerning Cities of Culture and the political cultures of their host cities. This paper also contributes to an emerging literature on the centrality of pride through the UK's post-Brexit Levelling Up agenda, suggesting that pride in place is becoming figured as a “universal theme” of the neoliberal city script.

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“…Culture is perceived to be a significant 'economic resource' which explains why it can be found at the heart of the regeneration strategies of many cities (Stevenson et al, 2010). Boland et al, (2018) refer to the 'curing qualities of culture' as it is used to tackle a range of seemingly intractable socio-economic problems. Other commentators refer to the 'dynamism of culture' (Pratt, 2014), 'lionization of culture ' (McGuigan, 2009), 'transformative powers of culture' (Belfiore, 2015) and 'just add culture and stir' (Gibson & Stevenson, 2004) narratives.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Whilst they were not targeted at the general public, the interviews also added to the depth of discussion and allowed the author to triangulate the findings (Hay, 2011). It should be noted that given the uniquely contentious environment the authors had to ensure that for each method the sample was not biased towards one community (PUL or CRN) and that the views of all respondents were treated with respect and sensitivity (Boland et al, 2018).…”

Section: Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cultural Contestation and Masquerade Politics: The Challenge of Trying to Develop a Cultural Event in a Divided City

Devine

2022

Event Management

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Cultural events feature prominently in the economic strategies of many cities. However, culture is open to interpretation and cultural expression can be problematic. This paper examines Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations in Belfast and how this event has been the victim of a bitter ‘cultural war’. Efforts to reframe the event and make it inclusive have had limited success. Like many other post-conflict countries, culture in Northern Ireland is tied to group identity and cultural expression is bound up with the battle for political legitimacy and state sovereignty. This battle for ownership and cultural supremacy has meant that Belfast has been unable to cash in on its authentic links to Saint Patrick. This is unlikely to change because, despite COVID-19 and the prominence given to event tourism in Belfast’s new culture strategy, the zero-sum character of the cultural war in Northern Ireland would suggest group identity will continue to trump the economic argument.

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Neoliberal place competition and culturephilia: explored through the lens of Derry~Londonderry

Cited by 14 publications

References 107 publications

Building social capital in a divided city: the potential of events

Building social capital in a divided city: the potential of events

The cultural politics of civic pride through Hull UK City of Culture 2017

Cultural Contestation and Masquerade Politics: The Challenge of Trying to Develop a Cultural Event in a Divided City

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