Spatial and Social Mechanisms for Urban Development through Community Festival:

Abstract: This paper explores the social and spatial mechanisms of two community festivals regarded as cultural capitals through a comparative lens. One is the floating Hikiyama in the Karatsu Kunchi festival in Karatsu City, Japan; the other is the revival of the creation and procession of Sapao in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Although the two festivals originated in different periods and contexts, they share a common feature: utilizing cultural capital to develop urban space while playing a key role in generating local economic value. The working process began with historical research, including the review of articles, reports, and relevant documents, as well as field surveys and direct data collection. This involved conducting interviews with various stakeholders, including community members, government agencies, and civil society organizations. The data was then analyzed to gain deeper insights into three aspects: 1) the relationship between community festivals and urban spaces, focusing on routes, scale, and visual impact; 2) social and environmental factors enabling the revival and sustainability of cultural heritage; and 3) collaboration between government bodies and communities in festival organization. This initiative operates on multiple levels, with a primary goal of facilitating the exchange and understanding of mechanisms for urban development through cultural capital. This approach emphasizes the integration of settlement patterns and socio-spatial contexts as driving forces.