Evaluating the Long-Term Influence of Culture-Led Regeneration on Civic Pride, Community Cohesion, and Social and Economic Inequalities: The Case of Hull

Abstract

ABSTRACT Hull, a historically industrial city, has faced significant socio-economic decline and territorial stigmatization in recent decades. In response to these challenges, the city was designated as the UK City of Culture in 2017, an initiative aimed at revitalizing the local economy, enhancing civic pride, and fostering community cohesion through cultural investment. While the event year saw an increase in tourism, local engagement, and economic activity, questions remain about the initiative’s long-term impact. This dissertation explores the sustainability of the positive changes resulting from the Hull UK City of Culture 2017 initiative, with a focus on how it influenced civic pride, community cohesion, and socio-economic inequalities. Using a mixed-methods approach, incorporating qualitative interviews and document analysis, the research critically examines whether the benefits of the cultural initiative have been sustained in the years following 2017. This dissertation concludes that while the Hull UK City of Culture 2017 brought short-term benefits to the city, it has fallen short in addressing deeper structural issues. The study highlights the importance of ongoing investment and long-term strategies to ensure the sustainability of culture-led regeneration in post-industrial cities like Hull.