EuroMed Coastal Cities: Comparative Dataset for Benchmarking Coastal Urban Settlements

This dataset contains all Euro-Mediterranean coastal municipalities located in EU Member States with a population of at least 20,000 inhabitants, based on the latest official data available. It was created to support comparative spatial analyses and benchmarking of coastal urban systems, with particular attention to city–sea interfaces, port functions, and the accessibility of public spaces. The dataset includes core indicators such as official resident population, port typology, and national demographic sources. Developed in the context of a scientific study currently under peer review, it supports a multidimensional evaluation framework focused on the spatial performance of coastal public spaces in relation to ecological transition and waterfront regeneration. Data were collected from national statistical agencies, port authority records, GIS analyses, and urban planning documents. The dataset is intended for urban planners, policy makers, and researchers working on coastal governance and planning, also in the frame of ICZM and MSP. Released under an open license, it encourages reuse for academic, institutional, and policy purposes.