Showing papers in "Journal of Place Management and Development in 2011"
TL;DR: This article carried out a contemporary and concise "state-of-the-art" review of the city branding research domain, in particular how scholars have approached this field of research, and the aim of the review was to carry out a concise and concise analysis of the current state of the art in this field.
Abstract: Purpose – The aim of the paper is to carry out a contemporary and concise “state-of-the-art” review of the city branding research domain, in particular how scholars have approached this field of st ...
401 citations
TL;DR: A review of the literature on the measurement of brand image in general and place branding in particular can be found in this paper, which outlines distinct elements, categories and dimensions of a place brand as well as a number of approaches from place brand image measurement.
Abstract: Purpose – The branding of places has gained popularity among city officials in recent years. Unfortunately, place marketers often disregard the complexity of place brands, as do their counterparts in the academic discussion: the focus repeatedly falls on the simple explorative description of certain city brands, rather than a proper conceptualization of a place brand that employs different measurement approaches for the different elements of the brand. Thus, this paper aims to identify those different elements and discuss measurement approaches that could prove useful in place branding.Design/methodology/approach – Following a review of the extant literature on the measurement of brand image in general and place branding in particular, the paper outlines distinct elements, categories and dimensions of a place brand, as well as a number of approaches from place brand image measurement, with example cases of each approach.Findings – Exploring a brand can be divided into three main approaches: in the form of...
221 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors strengthen the conceptual understanding of place brands and place branding by exploring to what extent place branding implies a level of selectivity and how this relates to the layering of spatial identities.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to strengthen the conceptual understanding of place brands and place branding by exploring to what extent place branding implies a level of selectivity and how this relates to the layering of spatial identities.Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual approach has been taken in this paper to provide an analytical conceptualisation of place branding to guide future empirical studies. The research, and the resulting paper has been structured around a progressive discussion of place as concept, of place brands as limited forms of geographical representations and of place branding as a highly selective process.Findings – Places are highly complex and cannot simply be understood as spatial entities within a closed hierarchical, territorial‐administrative system. Places only exist when they have an audience, and the resulting spatial identities often overlap, contradict or complement each other across existing territorial‐administrative levels. The rise of new forms of s...
173 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors contribute to a sound conceptualization of the notion of place identity in the context of geographical spatial approaches, and show the implications this has in place branding research.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is twofold: on the one hand, it is to contribute to a sound conceptualization of the notion of place identity in the context of geographical spatial approaches; on the other, it is to show the implications this has in place branding research.Design/methodology/approach – First, the paper draws from place branding literature to point out the lack of a conceptualization of place identity, second, it presents the case study of Prenzlauer Berg to show how place identity is constituted. Finally, these findings are linked to literature about the constitution of space and place.Findings – The concept of spatial identity suffers under the anthropomorphism of the term identity. Only in a sound conceptual framework and through a method mix it is possible to understand how the specificity of space is constituted.Research limitations/implications – The case study that is the base of this conceptual paper is a neighbourhood. There is a need to further discuss the issue of scale, i.e...
130 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the evolution, development and effectiveness of the place branding concept from the perspectives of regeneration, growth and sustainability, and found that place branding plays an important role in the sustainable development of a place, provided that the momentum of progress is maintained.
Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this research is to examine the place brand construct and to establish its role in the sustainable development of a place. This research reviews the evolution, development and effectiveness of the place branding concept from the perspectives of regeneration, growth and sustainability.Design/methodology/approach – The main research focus is on establishing key facets responsible for driving the brand of a place and examining the relationship between them in terms of achieving sustainability. A place‐specific branding campaign (using the Liverpool '08, European Capital of Culture status) was considered and data collected from the key stakeholders in Liverpool.Findings – The findings suggest that place branding plays an important role in the sustainable development of a place, provided that the momentum of progress is maintained. In turn, these sustainable developments help promote the place and thereby create stronger place brands.Research limitations/implications – Whilst some of the f...
91 citations
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to bring together theory and practice of place branding/marketing from a practitioner's point of view. It is a critical assessment of the recent place marketing strategy for the city of Bogota, Colombia.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a case study, that of the place marketing strategy for Bogota. After a description of the initial task for city officials and the consultant, the paper presents the process of designing the strategy, focusing on citizen participation. It describes the inherent difficulties and tensions of any similar task and the practical compromises that had to be reached. Finally these findings are discussed again in a theoretical context, integrating place branding with other planning and positioning measures.Findings – Place branding can indeed be a useful tool for place development, if it is understood as one possible tool of policy making and is incorporated in a broader conceptualization of the relationship among places, not ...
79 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the use of decision tree analysis in the identification of stakeholders based on their participation in tourism and political activities in a community, and four tourism stakeholder groups were identified based on the results of the decision trees analysis: high participants, high moderate participants, low moderate participants and low participants.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of decision tree analysis in the identification of stakeholders based on their participation in tourism and political activities in a community.Design/methodology/approach – A survey was sent to tourism stakeholders in two rural counties. Responses were collected and analyzed using the exhaustive chi‐square automatic interaction detection decision tree analysis.Findings – Based on the results of the decision tree analysis four tourism stakeholder groups were identified based on their participation in tourism and political activities in a community: high participants, high‐moderate participants, low‐moderate participants, and low participants.Research limitations/implications – Owing to a low response rate, an issue of non‐response bias could exist, but the information from the respondents can give insight on stakeholders in these communities. Also, the specific results of this study can only be applied to eastern North Carolina and are not gene...
29 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a qualitative study on the small Italian Renaissance city of Urbino explores how a number of marketing events dedicated to the painter Raphael, who was born there, have been produced and then received among different urban populations.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to draw upon Johnson's “Circle of Culture” to develop a cultural approach for studying place marketing's internal audience. A research project on the small Italian Renaissance city of Urbino explores how a number of marketing events dedicated to the painter Raphael, who was born there, have been produced and then received among different urban “populations” (dwellers, commuters, students, etc.). The second part of the paper conceptualizes events as both “inward” and “outward” forces and compares the Raphaellian events with some of Urbino's traditional festivities.Design/methodology/approach – This is a qualitative study that applies discourse analysis to media texts, official documents and 42 in‐depth interviews held with both local officials and internal place consumers.Findings – The inquiry reveals a predominance of discourses in support of the events: civic pride, identification, and economic benefits. What is more striking is that some participants not only appr...
26 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors conducted interviews with eight experienced real estate agents working in two affluent suburbs close to Auckland's central business district in New Zealand and found that individual identity and suburb identity play an important role in determining neighbourhood choice.
Abstract: Purpose – Previous research suggests that household location choice is determined by factors, such as affordability, family life cycle, distance from work and accessibility to the city centre. The purpose of this paper is to understand other psychological factors that may influence this decision, and specifically the effects of self identity and neighbourhood identity.Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative methodology using an interpretive approach is adopted, seeking to understand the complex nature of reality. In‐depth interviews were carried out with eight experienced real estate agents working in two affluent suburbs close to Auckland's central business district in New Zealand.Findings – Findings suggest that, subject to factors such as affordability and availability of appropriate accommodation, individual identity and suburb identity play an important role in determining neighbourhood choice. In addition to these findings, the paper proposes a conceptual model of the construction and manifestat...
23 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the contribution that informal settlements can make to a fairer, more real and authentic branding of cities in Latin America, based on two ongoing research projects, one in urban planning and the other one in business.
Abstract: Purpose – Informal settlements are consistent areas in Latin America which exhibit distinctive urban and social dynamics. However, despite their size and impact, these settlements have been traditionally overlooked in terms of the contribution that they make to the city and to any place branding strategy. These areas are commonly seen as having nothing more to offer than poverty and constraint. However, literature and research shows their possibilities beyond those traditional limits, and arguably they can actively contribute to branding cities in Latin America. The purpose of this paper is to critically explore the contribution that informal settlements can make to a fairer, more real and authentic branding of cities.Design/methodology/approach – The discussion is based on two ongoing research projects, one in urban planning and the other one in business, together with a first‐hand knowledge and engagement with informal settlements in Bogota.Findings – Informal settlements can contribute positively to br...
23 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the workbench spatial quality method (referred to as workbench method) was implemented to enhance participation in green-planning processes in Amersfoort Local Municipality, The Netherlands.
Abstract: Purpose – Amersfoort Local Municipality implemented the workbench spatial quality method (referred to as workbench method) to enhance participation in green‐planning processes.Design/methodology/approach – As part of the Valuing Attractive Landscapes in the Urban Economy project (made possible by INTERREG IVB North West Europe, European Regional Development Fund, European Territorial Cooperation, 2007‐2013), the method was evaluated based on its contribution to three core issues: understanding the value of green spaces; identifying these values; and planning for the enhancement of thereof.Findings – Based on case studies conducted in Amersfoort, The Netherlands, this interactive method invites people to think about the use and experience values of spatial aspects and rate them according to importance and vulnerability. The method focuses on participatory planning and quality identification.Research limitations/implications – Assessment of the value of green space will differ between users, experts and bet...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors highlight hip-hop's contribution to the entrepreneurship and place marketing literature, taking from the lens of an individual artist, Akon, whose music and lyrics, a hybrid of silky, West African-styled vocals mixed with North America's East Coast and Southern beats, provides fresh insights for place marketers.
Abstract: Purpose – This paper seeks to highlight hip‐hop's contribution to the entrepreneurship and place marketing literature. Hip‐hop is taken from the lens of an individual artist, Akon, whose music and lyrics – a “hybrid of silky, West African‐styled vocals mixed with North America's East Coast and Southern beats” – provides fresh insights for place marketers.Design/methodology/approach – A “discourse analysis” of the lyrics from two non‐chart songs Senegal and Mama Africa provided the conceptual base for a better understanding of the fusion of music and entrepreneurship with place marketing.Findings – Through music, Akon has bridged socio‐cultural (ethnic cuisine, immigration and social exclusion, faith or spirituality) and economic attributes (notably remittances) – with implications for entrepreneurship and place marketing.Research limitations/implications – The paper demonstrates that music and entrepreneurship can be extended to place marketing using discourse analysis. Future research may need to conside...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the extent to which consumers' perceptions of their downtown's brand identity (composed of image and positioning), business mix, and sense of place predict consumers' intention to patronize downtown.
Abstract: Purpose – This study aims to examine the extent to which consumers' perceptions of their downtown's brand identity (composed of image and positioning), business mix, and sense‐of‐place predict consumers' intention to patronize downtown.Design/methodology/approach – A survey of residents (n=836) from four communities in Michigan and four communities in Oklahoma was conducted. The survey included scales measuring brand identity, business mix, sense‐of‐place, and patronage intention.Findings – Positioning, image, and business mix are significant, positive predictors of consumer patronage intentions downtown. Sense‐of‐place, however, has a significant, negative effect on patronage intention.Research limitations/implications – Though limited to eight communities in two states, this study does broaden the research in place branding by examining consumers' perceptions of location as a brand and the influence of those perceptions on patronage intentions. Validity for scales measuring brand identity, business mix,...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors studied the effect of pedestrianization on retail rent in Hong Kong and found that a net 17 per cent increase in rental value of retail shops in the pedestrianised area is achieved.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study empirically the effect of a pedestrianisation scheme on retail rent, in a case study in Hong Kong.Design/methodology/approach – Most of the previous studies on the impacts of pedestrianised areas on the environment were qualitative ones, and without controls. This study, in contrast, uses panel market data in Hong Kong to estimate the effect in a two‐street‐two‐period controlled model.Findings – The results show a net 17 per cent increase in rental value of retail shops in the pedestrianised area is achieved, ceteris paribus.Research limitations/implications – Sample size and number of case study are not large enough to make robust conclusions; some other uncontrollable variables may well be attributed to the increase in rents.Practical implications – Retail rent is found empirically to be dependent of the external environment.Social implications – Shoppers' preference for pedestrianisation schemes can be indirectly quantified by the change of retail rent.Or...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the conceptualization of nation/place branding campaigns based on storytelling and the role of Web 2.0 as facilitator in these endeavors, and re-evaluate the project through a political communication understanding and theoretical framework.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the conceptualization of nation/place branding campaigns based on storytelling and the role of Web 2.0 as facilitator in these endeavors.Design/methodology/approach – The authors share their experiences with Turkayfe.org – a social networking web site that aims to promote Turkey – and re‐evaluate the project through a political communication understanding and theoretical framework. The in‐depth single case analysis enables the authors to demonstrate how presented theories are put into action. The case is selected due to special peculiarities of Turkey and the availability of data, information, and resources about the project. Turkayfe.org was started by four entrepreneurs as a reaction to the country's negative portrayal in American mass media. In this project, branding is defined from a communication point of view. The authors' personal experiences make it possible to trace the conceptualization of brand image and execution phases of the project.Findings ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the experience of towns which utilize town centre management (TCM) initiatives and provide insights into how TCM can aid the development of urban centres.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the experience of towns which utilize town centre management (TCM) initiatives. The findings which emerge offer insights into how TCM can aid the development of urban centres.Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative research was conducted with public servants charged with the delivery of TCM initiatives in Northern Ireland (NI).Findings – The paper presents multiple perspectives on the purpose, process, benefits and challenges of TCM, specifically the TCM initiatives in NI.Practical implications – The paper presents evidence of the success of TCM in each of the participating urban centres.Originality/value – The paper focuses on research which seeks to enhance the understanding of TCM initiatives. This research indicates that TCM (with the right stakeholders) is a viable alternative to town planning, regeneration and management.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss communicative problems and perspectives in the branding process of a metropolitan region, focusing on theoretical and practical perspectives of metropolitan place branding, and a methodological approach to this case with the research approach public branding was developed by the Leibniz Institute for Regional Development and Structural Planning (IRS) in Erkner, Germany.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss communicative problems and perspectives in the branding‐process of a metropolitan region. It pursues the question of how intended place politics and non‐intended socio‐spatial developments impact the process of place branding for Germany's capital region Berlin‐Brandenburg. The metropolitan region is here discussed as a special type of place identity. This type follows wider trajectories. There seems to be a lack of knowledge in how to manage a metropolitan identity.Design/methodology/approach – The paper focuses on theoretical and practical perspectives of metropolitan place branding. A methodological approach to this case with the research approach public branding was developed by the Leibniz‐Institute for Regional Development and Structural Planning (IRS) in Erkner, Germany.Findings – Berlin, as an urban space of international significance, continues to stand in a direct spatial and functional relation to the structurally weak areas of the surrounding f...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyse the relationship between Leeds Shopping Week and city centre regeneration and look at the way in which shoppers and retailers interact with other stakeholders to deliver innovative place marketing by offering a richer more engaging retail experience.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationship between Leeds Shopping Week and city centre regeneration. It looks at the way in which shoppers and retailers interact with other stakeholders to deliver innovative place marketing by offering a richer more engaging retail experience.Design/methodology/approach – The regional economic development context provides the background against which this case study rests. It draws on shoppers' experiences and puts forward a number of recommendations for future years.Findings – Leeds Shopping Week is a marketing communication tool that can be used to enrich shoppers' experiences and drive forward economic regeneration. It enriches the retail experience, adds a sense of occasion to civic life and acts as an economic stimulant to the local economy.Originality/value – This paper discusses issues of theoretical and applied policy relevance that can inform and develop retail, city and economic development knowledge and practice.