Heritage Infrastructure: Transforming İstanbul’s 19th-century Rami Barracks into Rami Library
The transformation of İstanbul’s 19th-century Rami Barracks into the Rami Library has created one of Türkiye’s largest cultural hubs, blending heritage conservation with innovative services to support lifelong learning,.
Library Strategy: How Lisbon Library Network is strengthening libraries as a cultural and social ecosystem
The Lisbon Library Network functions as an integrated municipal system connecting libraries across the city’s neighbourhoods. The network’s Strategic Programme 2025–2035 ensures that this ecosystem continues to thrive, adapting.
Cultural Infrastructure: How Paris integrated a media library and a refugee house
The James-Baldwin Media Library and the Refugee House form a pioneering dual institution located in the former Jean-Quarré High School in Paris’s 19th arrondissement. Designed to serve both local.
How Seoul’s Outdoor Libraries redefined public reading spaces across the city
Seoul’s Outdoor Library initiative, launched in 2022, redefines urban public spaces by transforming them into open-air reading environments. With installations in Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square, and Cheonggyecheon Stream, the.
Library Lab: Stockholm using UX methods to improve libraries
To deepen cultural participation, Stockholm City Library has embedded user experience (UX) methods into daily practice across its 40 branches. At the Library Lab in Liljeholmen, launched in 2024.
How Cologne used culture to revive Neumarkt Square
Once Cologne’s historic Neumarkt square was better known for decline than community. In 2023, the city launched Take a Seat—a cultural programme combining temporary architecture, performances, and community co-creation—to.
One Dublin, One Book brings the city together through literature
Every April since 2005, Dublin residents have been encouraged to read the same book either written by a Dubliner or connected with the capital city, through the One Dublin,.
How are cultural spaces in cities tackling the loneliness epidemic?
From libraries reimagined as “people’s homes,” to outdoor reading plazas in Seoul and community gardens in New York, cities are finding creative ways to transform public spaces into places.
Overview of Key Data
Key data headlines from the 5th edition of the World Cities Culture Report, covering cultural infrastructure, events and participation in culture across cities.
3rd Edition
Exploring global cities' cultural impact on life through their policies, emphasising their pivotal role in shaping urban culture. Against a backdrop of a changing world order, increasingly divisive national.