Critical bibliography on ECoC

This essay presents a critical and thematically structured bibliography on the European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) programme, with a specific focus on its urban, architectural, and cultural dimensions. Organized into five thematic clusters—ranging from theoretical foundations and urban transformation to empirical evaluations, narrative frameworks, and planning tools—the bibliography maps the interdisciplinary discourse surrounding ECoCs over the past forty years. The authors highlight a persistent gap in design-oriented and architectural scholarship, arguing for a more integrated approach that links cultural policy with spatial practices. This annotated overview supports future research and project development by positioning ECoCs as both cultural phenomena and strategic devices for rethinking the European city.