City design management as a local competitiveness factor

Abstract

This paper raises the importance of the built environment and aesthetic matters in the debate on the competitiveness of cities. The quality of a living environment is an important factor in creating competitiveness and the reputation of places. Cities compete for the favours of inhabitants, companies and visitors, and an attractive urban milieu could attract important and creative human resources to a city. This paper defi nes the concept of city design management as a conceptual way of emphasising the importance of designing an attractive living environment. City design management means all-inclusive managing of the city design. It gives a city the opportunity to be distinguished from other cities. The elements of city design management are city topography, general impression, presentation and management.

Towards a strategic place brand-management model

“…Brand identity is the active part of the image-building process (Rainisto, 2003) involving the creation and maintenance of a unique set of associations (Aaker, 1996, p. 68) projected through brand elements (Keller, 1998, p. 166). Image is the sum of beliefs, ideas, and impressions that people have of the place (Harmaakorpi et al, 2008). Brand identity development takes place through the analysis of the strengths and weaknesses embedded in the tangible and intangible attributes of the place (Gaggiotti et al, 2008).…”

City branding and the theory of social representation

“…Through a complex process of appreciation, the individuals identify themselves with the place by ascribing meaning and, therefore, their identity is represented on this. Added to this, Harmaakorpi, Kari and Parjanen (2008) claim that humans recognize in the urban and natural landscapes the same structures and processes that are part of their own identity. Kavaratzis and Ashworth (2005) argue that city branding should focus on how the residents are related to their city, how they make sense of it and what are the most valued physical and symbolic elements.…”

“…However, there are still few studies focused on the conceptualization of city's image from different disciplines beyond marketing (Harmaakorpi, Kari and Parjanen, 2008;Lichrou, O'Malley and Patterson, 2010). The nature of city's image is complex, multifaceted and susceptible to constant change (Laaksonen, et al, 2006).…”

City branding and film festivals: Re-evaluating stakeholder's relations

“…The enlivening processes would benefi t both residents and visitors. Various stakeholders benefi t from these strategies ( Brown et al , 2002 ;Florida, 2003 ;Smith, 2004 ;Harmaakorpi et al , 2008 ). From these studies, respecting stakeholders is not only necessary to ensure the success of a branding campaign, it is also ethical.…”

“…The city also becomes glamorous when stars come visiting and journalists publicize the city, especially when stories of movies and stars develop in the city . In this context, other events such as the Olympics, World Bank and IMF annual meetings or Formula One races serve similar purposes of attracting tourists, boosting the local economy and enhancing the image of the city ( Florida, 2003 ;Harmaakorpi et al , 2008 ;Ooi, 2008 ).…”