Building a lasting city identity and reputation is one of the profound, but also mysterious, goals that city leaders face. If we can build a city identity that is attractive, or powerful, or commands affection and wonder, or a sense of belonging, confidence, or trust, that identity will help us to solve many of the other challenges that cities face. A positive identity can give us the ‘benefit of the doubt’ when choices are made, it can maintain outside interest in our city even when we go through rough times, it can compel people to help us even without evidence of their own likely return, and it makes investors and firms reluctant to leave us even when the competition is fierce. A city identity helps people to know our essence; the soul of the city, and to become a friend, not just a customer. Read More
