Border Cities as Laboratories of Europeanization: Cultural Diplomacy and Urban Inclusion

Abstract

Abstract

Border cities occupy a distinctive position in the European integration process. While they remain embedded within national political and administrative frameworks, they also function as spaces of cross-border cooperation, intercultural interaction, and local experimentation with European values. This article examines how the Romanian cities of Oradea and Timișoara use cultural diplomacy and urban inclusion to promote European identity at the local level. It addresses the following research question: how do different models of urban cultural diplomacy contribute to the Europeanization of border cities, and what factors affect their capacity to generate sustainable and socially inclusive outcomes? The study employs a qualitative comparative case-study design based on the analysis of municipal strategies, cultural programmes, European projects, institutional documents, and relevant academic literature. The comparison focuses on five dimensions: urban narratives of European identity, institutional instruments of cultural diplomacy, cross-border and transnational cooperation, the relationship between cultural initiatives and social inclusion, and the sustainability and limitations of each model. The findings identify two distinct but complementary approaches. Oradea relies primarily on heritage-led regeneration and institutionalized Romanian–Hungarian cooperation, particularly through partnerships with Debrecen and projects supported by European territorial cooperation programmes. Timișoara places greater emphasis on multicultural civic identity, participatory cultural production, and transnational networking, especially through the European Capital of Culture 2023 programme and its legacy initiatives. The analysis shows that cultural diplomacy can contribute to European integration not only by improving the international visibility of cities, but also by reshaping local narratives, institutional relationships, and opportunities for participation. The article contributes to the literature on urban paradiplomacy and Europeanization by arguing that border cities function as local laboratories of European integration. However, the sustainability of their contribution depends on their ability to move beyond project-based funding, tourism-oriented heritage promotion, and temporary cultural events, while ensuring the meaningful participation of socially and culturally underrepresented groups.