The problem

The façades of cities represent the face of a country and its people.

For decades, the visual identity of European cities has been inextricably linked to vandalistic graffiti. This is not about street art culture, as these graffiti deface urban property and hold no artistic or cultural value.

Let us turn to the definition of vandalism. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, vandalism is defined as: “The deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property.”

In some European cities, up to 76% of streets have graffiti. This form of vandalism in European cities persists, continues unchecked, and even worsens over time. The purpose of this text is not to delve into the history of graffiti and subcultures as a whole but to draw attention to a significant issue—the unlawful, uncontrolled, and unpunished defacement of buildings, façades, urban infrastructure, walls, fences, and other public and private surfaces.

Over the past few decades, the urban aesthetic of European cities has been marginalized and devalued. In many cases, city centers are becoming indistinguishable from neglected ghettos. Once a civilized and beautiful place, Europe has come to resemble a chaotic accumulation of defaced façades, scribbled walls, and neglected public spaces.

I support a zero-tolerance policy toward unauthorized graffiti, and this text aims to explain why we should all adopt the same stance.

*The façades of cities represent the face of a country and its people*

Vandalic Graffiti Epidemic

I am using the medical term “epidemic” because in my opinion it perfectly reflects the scale of the issue. The problem has all the signs of an Epidemic in the context of vandalic graffiti and here’s why:

When a problem reaches mass prevalence, it spreads across vast areas, becoming a defining feature of the environment.
As it gains momentum, its rapid spread leads to a sharp increase in cases within a short period, overwhelming efforts to keep it under control.
Despite continuous attempts to combat and contain it, inability to contain means the issue keeps resurfacing in new locations, defying intervention.
Over time, its persistence ensures that, even in the face of countermeasures, the phenomenon continues to endure and replicate itself.
As this cycle unfolds, social consequences become inevitable—quality of life declines, communities grow more isolated, and the overall environment deteriorates.
The imitative effect further fuels the problem, as new individuals are drawn in, replicating the behavior and amplifying its reach.
Meanwhile, decreased public sensitivity sets in—people become accustomed to the issue, gradually ceasing to view it as a violation of norms.
Ultimately, this ongoing battle comes at a price, with economic costs mounting as significant resources are funneled into efforts to mitigate the consequences.

*Together with ugly commercial banners graffiti vandalism worsen ugliness of European cities*

A lyrical lament

European architecture was once a known hallmark of civilization with centuries of artistic, cultural, and technological progress. It started with the grandeur of classical antiquity, continued with the refined elegance of the Renaissance, then it led us to the revolutionary breakthroughs of modernism and to the avant-garde experiments of contemporary design.

Europe has shaped the very language of global architecture. The intricate Gothic cathedrals of France, the opulent palaces of Vienna, the cutting-edge modernist structures of Paris and Madrid, the neoclassical splendor of Berlin, and the iconic landmarks of London—all these masterpieces once defined the sophistication and identity of European cities.

And what do we see now? The same streets that once inspired architects and visionaries are increasingly marred by vandalism. Graffiti sprawls across historic facades, public spaces fall into neglect, and the visual harmony (that once distinguished European cities) is being eroded. The architectural legacy that stood as a testament to human ingenuity and artistic ambition is being defaced.

Systematic failure?

I don’t want to sound like a moralist babushka, but we have to face the truth—today’s visual culture is in decline.

The fact that people pick up spray cans and go out to deface buildings is rock bottom. The fact that passersby see these vandalized walls every day and grow accustomed to ugliness is another. And the fact that city administrations make little to no effort to combat this destruction is yet another.

This is not just a nuisance—it’s a systemic crisis.

The offense goes unpunished. Only occasionally do the media publish symbolic reports about a vandal being arrested and fined.

In the EU, fines for vandalism vary significantly depending on the severity and nature of the act, with penalties ranging from €200 to €820,000, or even higher, sometimes including imprisonment. However, these measures are rarely enforced effectively, and that allows the problem to persist and escalate.

Clearly, existing laws are ineffective, as vandalism in Europe continues to increase every year.

Form of expression?

Many supporters view vandalistic graffiti as a form of expression and its prohibition as an attack on freedom of speech and/or artistic expression. Well, let’s examine this claim.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental right, but like any right, it is not absolute. It exists within a framework of laws and regulations that ensure it does not infringe upon the rights of others. The moment an individual’s “artistic expression” damages someone else’s property—whether public or private—it ceases to be a right and becomes an offense.

True freedom does not mean the absence of rules; it means a balance between individual expression and social order. Without regulation, any form of self-expression could justify destruction, leading to chaos. Imagine a society where anyone could paint over historical buildings, public transportation, or private homes in the name of ‘artistic freedom.’ We don’t need to imagine—we witness this in Europe already. This is total breakdown of shared space and respect for others.

Graffiti vandalism is not a necessity for artistic self-expression. Legal alternatives exist—designated walls, street art festivals, commissioned murals. Many renowned street artists operate within these frameworks, proving that creativity does not require lawlessness.

Remember, where one person’s freedom begins to harm the collective space and the property of others, it is no longer a right but a violation. A society that values both artistic expression and public order must enforce boundaries to protect both.

Damage to economics

Vandalistic graffiti imposes significant economic burdens. To clean it up, the intervention of highly specialized personnel and the use of very costly machines are needed and the money comes from taxpayers. This money could have gone to something like roads, or green parks, but they don’t.

Graffiti attacks and associated cleaning procedures cost Europe approximately €90 million annually, particularly impacting cultural heritage buildings and monuments.

Unfortunately comprehensive EU-wide statistics are limited (which only proves the lack of interest from the government to solve the problem), but there are various reports that highlight the financial impact in specific regions.

Austria

In 2024, graffiti vandalism on ÖBB trains surged, leading to costs of approximately $4.86 million and adversely affecting passengers.

United Kingdom

in 2015, the UK faced an estimated annual expenditure exceeding £1 billion for graffiti cleanup. Specifically, London Underground allocates up to £10 million annually to replace glass etched with graffiti and an additional £2.5 million for other graffiti removal efforts.

The latest information as of 2021, also indicates that annual expenses exceed £1 billion. In particular, London spends over £10 million on replacing glass damaged by graffiti and several million more on cleaning up other forms of vandalism.

Spain

While comprehensive national statistics are limited, specific incidents highlight the economic strain caused by graffiti vandalism. For instance, in December 2024, coordinated vandalism on Tenerife’s Las Vistas and El Camison beaches resulted in damages estimated at €5,000, as over 230 sunbeds were defaced with anti-tourism graffiti.

Sweden

Stockholm’s stringent ‘zero-tolerance’ policy against graffiti underscores the city’s commitment to addressing the issue. The most recent data that I have found indicates that over a decade ago, in 2011, the city allocated approximately 200 million kronor (around €22 million) annually for graffiti removal, primarily focusing on cleaning commuter trains.

France

Specific nationwide economic data on graffiti vandalism in France is also scarce. However, the prevalence of graffiti, particularly in urban areas and on cultural heritage sites, suggests substantial public expenditure on cleanup and restoration efforts.

Italy

While detailed economic figures are not readily available, Italy faces challenges with graffiti vandalism, especially concerning its rich cultural and religious heritage sites. Incidents of antisemitic and anti-Christian graffiti have been reported, indicating both social and economic impacts.

Hidden costs

Apart from direct cleanup expenses, graffiti vandalism carries other hidden, more serious economic consequences like reduced property values, increased vacancies, and heightened insurance premiums. These factors collectively strain community resources and can lead to higher taxes and diminished public services. Degraded environments repel tourism, investors, and creative industries, which further stifles economic growth. The association between urban decay and crime is well-documented—vandalized areas tend to have higher rates of antisocial behavior.

A decline in aesthetic standards ultimately affects social mobility, making it harder for individuals from neglected environments to integrate into more refined cultural and professional spaces. This deepens social divisions, where well-maintained, clean areas become exclusive to wealthier classes, while vandalized and deteriorating streets remain the reality for poorer and marginalized communities.

*The whole city becomes a “broken window” from the Broken Windows Theory*

Aesthetics, psychological impact and mentality

As an art historian, I pay big attention to this aspect of the problem.

Living in a vandalized environment deeply affects both the aesthetic taste of society and its collective mentality.

Desensitization to Ugliness

When people are constantly surrounded by vandalized walls, dirty streets, and defaced buildings, their visual standards decline. Over time, people stop noticing the contrast between beauty and destruction, leading to acceptance of low aesthetic quality in public and private spaces. This desensitization in fact results in indifference toward urban decay, when people end up to less likely demand clean, and well-maintained environments.

Erosion of Cultural and Artistic Sensitivity

A well-kept urban space fosters an appreciation for design, architecture, and art. A vandalized environment in contrary reduces exposure to thoughtful aesthetics. The outcome is sad—a weakening of artistic discernment, where people really struggle to differentiate between meaningful artistic expression and destructive graffiti.

Future generations raised in such an environment have lower creative standards, because they lack a reference point for what ‘s beautiful.

Normalization of Disorder

A city covered in vandalism sends an unconscious message that rules, maintenance, and order are secondary. This is the core idea behind so-called theory of broken windows.

The Broken Windows Theory is a criminological concept that suggests visible signs of disorder—such as vandalism, graffiti, and urban decay—encourage further crime and antisocial behavior. The theory was introduced by social scientists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling in 1982.

According to the theory, small disorders lead to bigger problems because if minor issues like graffiti or broken windows are ignored, it signals that rule-breaking is tolerated, leading to more serious crimes.

Environmental influence on behavior is huge because people take cues from their surroundings; a neglected area fosters lawlessness, while a well-maintained space promotes order.

Crime prevention through maintenance is crucial. It is important to keeping public spaces clean and orderly to help deter criminal activity and create a sense of security.

Soon, the whole city becomes a “broken window”.

Destruction becomes a common sight, and people begin to associate neglect with normality, which can erode civic responsibility. This normalization of visual chaos spills over into other aspects of society, and it weakens discipline and social cohesion forever.

Psychological and Emotional Effects

A vandalized environment increases stress and discomfort, as people instinctively react negatively to visual disorder.

Studies show that well-maintained spaces encourage positive social interactions, while degraded ones contribute to feelings of anxiety, insecurity, and even aggression. Poor urban aesthetics also leads to reduced civic pride, by civic pride I mean a decline in feelings of belonging and pride in one’s community. The environment is seen as solely a practical, soulless decoration for everyday living.

Impact on Mentality and Aspirations

People tend to mirror their surroundings—a clean, inspiring city fosters ambition and a sense of purpose, while a vandalized one creates nothing but apathy and resignation.

Young people growing up in vandalized spaces inevitably absorb a mindset of disregard for heritage, design, and quality. Their approach to work and self-development is minimized.

The message shifts from “We can create beauty” to “Why bother?”. People get discouraged from higher aspirations and investments in culture.

To tackle graffiti vandalism, we need a clear plan that includes prevention, involving the community, and enforcing laws to reduce its financial damage. Following Part 2 will suggest my reflections on successful stories of preventing and fighting vandalistic graffiti in countries across the world.

Graffiti Vandalism Epidemic in Europe: Part 1 – The Problem