Located in northern Spain and home to 178, 000 inhabitants, Burgos is known for many of its landmarks including the caves of the Sierra of Atapuerca, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. The archaeological excavations undertaken in these sites have made the city an international hub for studies on human evolution. This distinctive feature is reflected in its gastronomy and food industries, which represent a creative and economic impetus for the city by employing 26% of the active population. Burgos’ vision of food is especially linked to scientific research on the evolution of the human species.
As a Creative City of Gastronomy, Burgos is leading on a pioneering study in gastronomic evolution. Based on experimental studies on the consumptions of food energy by the human body, this project, Human Motors, run by the Global Laboratory on Gastronomic Evolution, aims to raise awareness, at the local and international levels, on the linkages between food and human evolution. To this end, the University of Burgos (UBU) also joins forces with several programmes on food science, vanguard gastronomy, food safety, biotechnology and nutrition, by developing the design of new food with special characteristics aiming to improve cardiovascular health.
Burgos has held the title of the Spanish Capital of Gastronomy since 2013 and has further developed its creative industry of gastronomy ever since. There are many ongoing projects dedicated to the field supported by the Municipality, such as Devora and Burgos Alimenta. The city is also engaged in several networks of gastronomic cities at the European level intended to promote gastronomy as a key momentum for sustainable urban development.
As a Creative City of Gastronomy, Burgos envisages:
- involving other Creative Cities of Gastronomy to undertake joint research and share experiences in the framework of the project Human Motors, and positioning the programme as the international pioneer and reference point in fostering awareness on the linkages between food, health and the evolution of the human species;
- implementing the Plan for Creative Gastronomic Industries, as well as establishing the Gastronomic District in the city centre, to foster the local creative economy driven by gastronomy; and
- sharing best practices, facilitating professional exchanges and organizing inter-cities gastronomic events with other Creative Cities of Gastronomy to further promote the field as a centrepiece for urban development and vitality.
