Richards,Greg2025-02-012025-02-012017Richards, G 2017, 'From place branding to placemaking : The role of events', International Journal of Event and Festival Management, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 8-23. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEFM-09-2016-0063Mendeley: b0bf2d89-3d90-3dc6-8b23-49d98bdebcc8ORCID: /0000-0002-5903-6310/work/5306745810.1108/IJEFM-09-2016-0063https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14602/70635Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine developments in the use of events by places from a predominantly place branding role based on image and economic impacts towards a broader placemaking approach aimed at holistic improvements in place quality. Design/methodology/approach The research is based on a single case study approach, with the Dutch city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) as the focus. Data sources include resident surveys, depth interviews and analysis of policy documents. Findings The Den Bosch case illustrates the emergence of a more holistic approach to the use of events as a placemaking tool. The city shifted from an ad hoc events policy to the development of a multi-annual programme designed to produce economic, image, social cultural and network effects. This approach seems to have been successful in stimulating visitation, increasing visitor spend and raising the international profile of the city. At the same time, the city has developed many activities designed to mobilise local stakeholder groups and increase social cohesion, which provide essential support for the necessary investment. Research limitations/implications There are indications that sustaining such a programme over the longer term is difficult in the face of political and economic change. Adoption of a holistic approach also requires the mobilisation of a wide range of stakeholders. Practical implications Critical success factors for placemaking are identified. Social implications The Den Bosch programme helped to increase social cohesion in the city by involving residents and local cultural groups in different projects. However, this required a differentiated approach based on the needs of each group. Originality/value This study presents a placemaking model that can help to identify the different elements required in a successful placemaking programme. This is developed from a practice approach, which has the value of paying attention to how event programmes can be initiated and sustained by a group of actors.enginfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessCultureDen BoschEventsPlacemakingSocial practicesArticleGeneral rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. - Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. - You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain - You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal" Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim.28983772https://research.tilburguniversity.edu/en/publications/e592a9e4-3fc3-4a7c-afb6-eadbfcd15bcd(c) Universiteit van TilburgRichards, Greg§0000-0002-5903-6310