Comparative Analysis of the Development of Culture in Selected European Cities

Methodologically, the research project was designed as a comparative analysis of available sources and data we have collected with an electronic survey and in-depth semi-structured interviews (in the case of cities in the region). The work of the research group was held in five steps:
1. comparative analysis of the development of culture in selected Slovenian cities;
2. comparative analysis of the development of culture in selected cities in the region;
3. survey of cultural policies of European cities;
4. detailed analysis of the development of culture in selected European cities;
5. final report, presentation and completion of the project.

The first part was focused on the analysis of cultural policies of two Slovenian cities – Koper and Maribor. In the second part we made in-depth semi-structured interviews with some representatives of the departments of culture in city administrations and some representatives of cultural organizations in selected cities in the region – Trieste, Graz and Zagreb – and collect and analyse the available material (strategic documents, statistics, reports, etc.). The third set was the most difficult part of the project, as we have to collect the data and prepare a comprehensive comparative analysis of cultural policies in a large number of European cities. To this end, we have sent a questionnaire to the representatives of the departments of culture in 95 European cities. The response was beyond expectations: We collected 33 questionnaires (35%). Based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of the responses and processing of documents (strategies for development of culture in the observed cities, reports and evaluations) and the scientific literature, we have prepared a comparative analysis of the basic indicators of the development of cultural policies in selected European cities. In the fourth part, we prepared an in-depth analysis of the cultural policies of the three selected cities, geographically distributed along the axis North – Central – South Europe. After careful consideration and based on the available information (from surveys and literature) the cities of Helsinki, Bern and Barcelona were selected for this part of the research. Work on the study was concluded with a final report, which presents the work carried out and the findings from the survey.

Project leader: Aldo Milohnić

Project coworkers: Sabina Autor and Maja Breznik