Research Information System
European Planning Studies, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
This study examines the refunctionalization of cultural heritage sites through the case of the İzmir Culture and Arts Factory. Although existing studies typically approach cultural heritage transformation from architectural or conservation-oriented perspectives, this article adopts an integrated approach involving cultural economics and sustainability debates. This study analyzes the case of the İzmir Culture and Arts Factory within the framework of key perspectives in the cultural economics literature, including cost disease, cultural capital externalities, and the institutional dimensions of cultural policy. In this context, it examines how differentiated pricing and cross-subsidization mechanisms shape the balance between social accessibility and economic sustainability. The findings, based on site usage intensity and visitor data, demonstrate that the project offers an integrated model for offsetting structural cost pressures and expanding cultural participation. In this respect, this article contributes to the literature by drawing attention to the potential of refunctionalization projects to simultaneously address economic constraints and cultural sustainability goals.