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What About The Soul Of The City? Applying A Resident Perspective In Four Swedish Cities

Author

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  • Marie H. Wahlström

    (Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden)

Abstract

This paper contributes to existing literature by developing a quantitative method for analyzing the city soul – a concept here used to study cities’ distinguishing features. The method is based in theory and tested by means of a survey, in which ~2,500 households in Sweden answered questions about their city. Results from e.g. regression analysis indicate significant relationships between the perceived strength of a city’s soul and the residents’ relation to their city as well as their perceptions of its characteristics. Particularly, the city soul seems to be linked to feelings of pride, attachment and belonging and to city characteristics related to art, beauty and stories about the cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Marie H. Wahlström, 2017. "What About The Soul Of The City? Applying A Resident Perspective In Four Swedish Cities," Romanian Journal of Regional Science, Romanian Regional Science Association, vol. 11(1), pages 36-61, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:rrs:journl:v:11:y:2017:i:1:p:36-61
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Westlund, Hans & Bolton, Roger, 2003. "Local Social Capital and Entrepreneurship," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 77-113, September.
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    3. Hans Westlund, 2006. "Social Capital in the Knowledge Economy," Advances in Spatial Science, Springer, number 978-3-540-35366-9, Fall.
    4. Richard Florida & Charlotta Mellander & Kevin Stolarick, 2011. "Beautiful Places: The Role of Perceived Aesthetic Beauty in Community Satisfaction," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(1), pages 33-48.
    5. Thomas Niedomysl & Høgni Kalsø Hansen, 2010. "What Matters more for the Decision to Move: Jobs versus Amenities," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 42(7), pages 1636-1649, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    place identity; urban amenities; city perceptions; residential satisfaction.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population
    • R59 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Other

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