Abstract

This paper briefly analyses the influence of the appointment as «European Capital of Culture» (ECoC) on the political and cultural choices implemented in the various cities and on the effects triggered. It examines the development of the candidacy of the city of Matera as 2019 «European Capital of Culture», during the construction phase of the dossier, the objectives and the expectations. In particular, the following aspects are highlighted: national, regional and municipal funding related to infrastructure, urban regeneration and the implementation of the dossier; the organization of the project management structure, the main objectives and the criticalities encountered. Finally, the role of the University of Basilicata in the development process of the region, with particular reference to Matera, its strengths and weaknesses and the potential of the ECoC project, are underlined.