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Researchers at Pécs University's Sociology Department and the Fact Institute interviewed 500 adults in Pécs between March 1 and 15 in order to assess the programme's reputation, researcher Csilla Busa told a conference.
A little more than 90 percent of respondents said the programme would be advantageous to the city, 8 percent said it would not have any effect and just 2 percent said it would be bad for the city.
Busa said those who welcomed the programme said it would improve Pécs's international profile, spur renewal, boost tourism and raise investment spending.
About 68 percent of respondents who welcomed the programme said it would affect them personally.
Respondents who were opposed to the programme said events would be expensive to organise and infrastructure built for the purpose could be difficult to keep up. They also said the programme would bring with it higher prices and big crowds.
Respondents said the success of the programme would depend mostly on the efforts of city leaders, organisers and politicians, but residents can also play an important role, Busa noted.
About 68 percent of respondents said preparations for the European Capital of Culture 2010 programme had been delayed, but it was still possible to get back on schedule. Just 15 percent said preparations were progressing at the necessary pace and 17 percent said preparations would not be completed by 2010.
Busa noted that all respondents knew that Pécs would carry the title European capital of Culture in 2010, but just half could name some of the big projects related to the title.
About 60 percent of respondents wanted to know more about the programme.
