The European Capitals of Culture: figures, strategies and trends

This essay offers a comprehensive quantitative and strategic overview of the European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) programme from 1985 to 2025. Through the analysis of data on city size, geographical distribution, number of events, public participation, financial investments, and urban impact, the authors highlight the evolution of ECoCs from symbolic cultural celebrations to engines of urban regeneration, territorial innovation, and cultural inclusion. The essay introduces the Cultural Intensity Index (CII) as a metric to evaluate the efficiency and density of cultural production relative to city size and budget. It also identifies emerging trends such as the shift from large metropolises to smaller and peripheral cities, increased sustainability and community engagement, and the growing role of long-term, cross-border and inclusive projects in shaping the future of European urban and cultural policy.