Mega-events have long been used by cities as a strategy to secure global recognition and attract future economic investment. While cultural mega-events have become increasingly popular, cities have begun questioning the traditional model of other events such as the Olympic Games with many candidate cities cancelling bids in recent years. This book explores these dynamics of reducing overall costs and increasing sustainability by further embedding these large events within the existing fabric of the city, a strategy that cultural mega-events have been employing for several decades. Such an approach of planning and implementing mega-events introduces a broad range of physical effects and nuanced institutional changes, particularly for the more sensitive heritage areas of cities. This book highlights both this growing trend of cultural mega-events as well as the opportunities and risks for heritage through an examination of three World Heritage cities, Genoa, Liverpool and Istanbul, each of which have been European Capital of Culture. By doing so, it investigates the potential benefits and challenges of integrating event and heritage planning to provide lessons that can help future historic cities and heritage decision makers better prepare for such events.