TITLE:
Social Urban Identity Formation and Local Government
AUTHORS:
Peter Nientied, Besnik Aliaj, Katarzyna Stachowiak-Bongwa
KEYWORDS:
Urban Identity, Identity Formation, Rotterdam, Tirana, Szczecin
JOURNAL NAME:
Current Urban Studies,
Vol.10 No.3,
September
7,
2022
ABSTRACT: The
purpose of this paper is to reflect on the issue of whether city governments could or should be engaged in (social) urban
identity formation. From a functional angle, social urban identity formation
can help to gain loyalty and pro-social and environmental behaviour. Earlier
and current research on urban identity and urban development in three quite
different cities, Rotterdam, Szczecin, and Tirana, informs our reflection. The city cases
are described in terms of urban development and social urban identity. The
paper concludes that social urban identity formation can be helpful
in cities, but there is a risk of political control over urban symbols and
narratives. Topics for future research are identified.