The main objective of this study is to present the overarching history of a second-tier city (Miskolc, Hungary) in Central and Eastern Europe from its foundation to the current era and beyond, to the plans for the next EU programming period between 2021 -2027. The city has been in the crossroads of industries, cultures, borders, innovations and EU programming periods throughout its history. Our basic hypothesis was that with the overarching but systematically structured analysis and presentation of the history of the city, we can define its main development stages and gain deeper insights in the roots of the present and future tendencies. Thus, we studied and synthetized the literature about the history of the city and identified six phases in its development path based on two main aspects (1) geopolitics and legal status and (2) local economy and society. With a strong focus on the 20 th century, we summarized the main tendencies and city forming forces, actors and catalysts, and also identified some critical points. Finally, the determining and newest initiative for the next EU programming period between 2021 -2027 is introduced (Creative Region), that is expected to shape the future of the examined city and its region. Some conclusions are presented in the last chapter of the study.