The European Capital of Culture has been running since 1985, when Athens, the capital of Greece, was awarded the title. Since then, the competition has expanded so that more than one city can be Capital of Culture in a single year. Interestingly, 2010 sees a first – the Ruhr region of Germany has become the first region to be awarded Capital of Culture status. It shares the title this year with the city of Pecs in Hungary and Istanbul in Turkey.It’s notoriously difficult to demonstrate the economic gains from cultural activity. An interesting analysis released today, however, underlines the boost that Capital of Culture status can provide to city-regions. The figures show that the value of tourism to Liverpool’s economy rose by 25 per cent in 2008 – the year it was Capital of Culture – generating a total spend of £617 million, up from £493 million in 2007. Visitor spend in the Liverpool city-region (picture courtesy of Digital Desktop Wallpaper) as a whole rose from £1.4 billion in 2007 to £1.6 billion in 2008, according to the Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor figures.
Unfortunately, due to the enlargement of the European Union, a UK city (or region) will not be able to claim Capital of Culture status until 2032, so city leaders will have to look elsewhere if they wish to harness culture to boost regeneration. The Department for Culture, Media and Sports' City of Culture initiative, which from 2013 could see successful cities host high-profile media events including the Turner Prize, BBC Sports Personality of the Year, The Brits and the RIBA Stirling Prize, could provide a boost, but whether it will have the same impact as the Europe-wide programme it is based on is questionable.
