Over the past three decades, culture has gained prominence as a central element in local development strategies, increasingly acknowledged as a catalyst for shaping alternative development paradigms. Scholarship has highlighted its role in driving spatial transformation and mediating dialogue between policy frameworks, planning practices, and the lived experiences of citizens. This paper advances this discussion by proposing a conceptual framework that examines how cultural institutions contribute to capacity-building from the perspective of citizens. The study focuses on three distinct cultural organisations located along Piraeus Road in Athens, Greece, exploring users’ perceptions of cultural activities, their contribution to enhancing individual and collective capacities, and the extent to which these capacities can enable engagement in spatial development processes. Beyond institutional practices, the analysis considers the wider role of culture in urban transformation and the development opportunities emerging in this transitional urban corridor. Findings reveal that although cultural interventions are recognised as relevant and meaningful, citizens’ participation in such activities has not significantly strengthened their capacities to influence spatial development. Persistent everyday needs and a lack of supportive policy frameworks constrain the broader social potential of cultural institutions. These insights contribute to understanding how culture may more effectively foster inclusive urban transformation.

The paper is published by the European Journal of Spatial Development (EJSD).The previous version of the journal was host by Nordregio.