Attractiveness Of Cities Research Articles

Migration losses and reproduction of the population of small and medium cities of north-west Russia

The article is devoted to the analysis of trends in two components of population change – its reproduction and migration in small and medium-sized cities in the north-west of European Russia (using the example of cities in the Vologda and Novgorod regions). Following the demographic compression of rural settlements and their disappearance, a similar process affect the small and medium-sized cities of the ancient cultural, historical and economic centers of Russia. The causes and consequences of socio-economic deformations of traditional Russian territories identified. It is proposed to reconsider key approaches to the development of the urban settlement network in the region, measures of stabilization of the population and labor resources, improvement of the age structure, and increasing the migration attractiveness of small and medium-sized cities.

The role of geographical myths in shaping the tourist attractiveness of cities (as exemplified by Russia)

The role of geographical myths in shaping the tourist attractiveness of cities (as exemplified by Russia)

What urban public services do immigrant entrepreneurs with different educational backgrounds most value?

In national economic development, the unique geographical conditions of different regions lead to differences in the level of public services, with diverse impacts on attracting immigrant entrepreneurs with different educational backgrounds. This paper empirically analyses the impact of urban public services on attracting immigrant entrepreneurs with diverse educational backgrounds, using matching data from the 2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS) and the characteristics of 276 prefecture-level cities. We found that urban higher education has a significantly positive effect on attracting urban low-educated immigrant entrepreneurs. Higher education in urban areas, primary education in urban areas, and medical services have positive and significant effects on attracting immigrant entrepreneurs educated in urban areas. Higher education in urban areas, primary education in urban areas, and urban cultural services have positive and significant effects on attracting highly educated immigrant entrepreneurs from urban areas. Mechanism testing indicates that urban innovation capability and the intensity of government regulation plays a significantly moderating role in the impact of urban public services on the attractiveness of cities to urban immigrant entrepreneurs with different educational backgrounds. The research conclusions of this paper provide guidance for cities to manage the flow of immigrant entrepreneurial talent between regions through the provision of public services, optimized spatial allocation of human resources, balanced regional development, and higher levels of urbanization.

MIGRATION IN THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH CAPITALS OF KAZAKHSTAN: THEORY, FACTORS AND ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS

The article reveals the theoretical positions that influenced the development of migration processes in the Northern and the Southern capitals of Kazakhstan during 2001-2021. The novelty of the work lies in the comparative analysis of the main causes or factors that influenced migration processes in the both capitals of the country. As part of the mathematical formalization of the social attractiveness of the immigration city, the Social Attractiveness Index has been developed and proposed for use. The main tool of research and analysis was econometric data analysis based on Pooled OLS model using the STATA program. As a result, conclusions were drawn that an important factor immigration to the Northern capital was the geographical factor or the close distance of the city of Karaganda. An important factor immigration to the Southern capital was a relatively high index of attractiveness of social infrastructure or the presence of a more numerous and developed educational infrastructure (schools, universities, colleges and healthcare systems (medical institutions, hospitals).

Creative City Brand Building on Social Media Platforms

With the advent of the digital age, social media has become an important tool to shape the image of a city's brand. This paper aims to explore how to use social media platforms to build creative city brands, so as to enhance the attractiveness and competitiveness of cities. Through the study of many successful cases at home and abroad, combined with the theory of social media communication and the theory of urban brand image, this paper analyzes the mechanism of social media in urban brand promotion. The research adopted a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, including online questionnaire survey, social media data analysis and in-depth interviews, to collect and analyze relevant data. The results show that social media can not only increase the visibility of cities, but also promote cultural exchanges and economic cooperation. In addition, the study found that personalized content creation, interactive user engagement, and sustained brand storytelling are key factors for successful city branding on social media. Finally, this paper puts forward suggestions on social media marketing strategies for different types of cities, and points out that future research should pay attention to the impact of changes in social media platform algorithms on the effectiveness of urban brand communication. This study provides a practical reference for city managers to promote city image more effectively in the new media environment.

Using heat map data to measure population development trends and urban disparities of large-scale affordable communities in China

Over the past decade, large-scale affordable communities have proliferated in the suburban areas of major Chinese cities. Most of the housing in these communities consists of affordable housing provided by the government and constructed by developers, targeted at middle to low-income individuals through restricted-price sales and rentals. With more than a decade of occupancy, it is crucial to examine the development status of these communities. This study employs regular collection of heat map data to observe the population density trends in communities from 2020 to 2024. By analyzing population density and its derived variables, the study examines changes in daytime and nighttime populations during weekdays, as well as the differences between the Spring Festival period and regular population data. Combining urban context, we use both quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze population quantity and structure trends and further explore the development disparities among cities. The study reveals a widespread increase in population across 35 communities in five cities from 2020 to 2021, peaking in 2021 and 2022, with differentiation among cities after 2023. Before 2022, there was a pattern in the development of community population quantity and structure: communities with faster population growth exhibited a simultaneous increase in commuter proportions. The impetus for community population changes is largely attributed to the varying attractiveness of cities to the floating population, with the five cities demonstrating distinct patterns. The method used in this study to collect population data, as opposed to traditional questionnaire surveys, presents advantages in terms of real-time, efficiency, convenience, and high sensitivity. This approach can offer feasible insights for establishing a real-time monitoring system for the development of large-scale affordable communities in China in the future.

Crafting urban identities: Local cuisine and city branding in Indonesia and Myanmar

Background: This comparative study examines the significant role of local cuisine in shaping urban identities and enhancing city branding in Indonesia and Myanmar. With a rich tapestry of culinary traditions, these Southeast Asian nations offer unique insights into how food culture can be leveraged as a strategic asset in urban planning. The research delves into integrating local cuisine in city branding initiatives, highlighting successful examples from major cities in both countries. By analyzing local food's cultural, economic, and social dimensions, the study underscores its potential to foster a sense of place and community, attract tourism, and stimulate local economies. Method: This study uses a comparative case study approach to investigate the role of local cuisine in shaping urban identity and enhancing city image in Indonesia and Myanmar. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and document analysis from various sources. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis to identify key themes and comparative analysis to highlight differences and similarities between the two countries. This approach allows the study to develop practical recommendations for urban planners and policymakers. Findings: The findings reveal that incorporating local cuisine into urban planning not only preserves culinary heritage but also enhances the distinctive character of cities, making them more appealing to both residents and visitors. Furthermore, the research discusses the challenges and opportunities urban planners and policymakers face in promoting local cuisine while balancing modernization and cultural preservation. Conclusion: Through a comparative lens, the study provides practical recommendations for cities aiming to integrate culinary elements into their branding strategies. The insights gained from Indonesia and Myanmar's experiences can serve as a valuable reference for other cities globally, seeking to enrich their urban identities through the celebration of local cuisine. Novelty/Originality of this study: The development of a comprehensive model for integrating local cuisine into a city’s branding strategy provides practical and measurable guidance for city planners to leverage culinary heritage to enhance city attractiveness, identity, and local economic empowerment while maintaining the authenticity and sustainability of culinary traditions.

Impact of high-speed rail on city attractiveness

Numerous studies have delved into the socioeconomic impacts of High-Speed Rail (HSR) on urban development, examining dimensions, such as economics, environment, and tourism. However, a consistent evaluation framework to measure the overall influence of HSR on city attractiveness remains elusive. This study addresses this gap by utilizing confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to identify pivotal factors driving city attractiveness and employing structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the mechanism through which HSR shapes city attractiveness. The analysis confirms that, despite economic performance, urban amenities such as housing, education, and technology play significant roles in improving city attractiveness. Further analysis demonstrates that HSR has different influential mechanisms on city attractiveness across two phases: introduction and operation. The major difference lies in if HSR can directly affect economic performance. Moreover, the analysis also shows the spatiotemporal variance in the impact of HSR on city attractiveness. These findings provide important insights for urban planners, enabling the formulation of more effective strategies for future infrastructure investment and city development.

International attractiveness of cities: The drivers of urban FDI

AbstractForeign direct investment (FDI) nowadays mostly corresponds to activities in urban areas. This study provides the first global analysis of the determinants of urban FDI (UFDI). We assemble and exploit a unique database on the location choices of multinational enterprises in urban areas worldwide to investigate the relevance of local, national, and dynamic drivers of cities' international attractiveness. We find that attractive cities are large, productive, endowed with transport infrastructure able to move goods and people within and beyond their borders, abundant in educated people, and embedded in attractive national spaces. Cities combining all these attributes tend to attract service activities. Attractiveness is persistent but can evolve depending on economic dynamism. A variance decomposition analysis indicates that the location choices of UFDI are mainly driven by city‐level determinants, notably transport infrastructure.

Mobilitas dan Survival Penjual Mie Ayam dan Bakso di Kawasan Pinggiran Kota Surakarta

This research examines the mobility and survival strategies of the informal sector in urban areas, particularly chicken noodle and meatball vendors, amidst the pandemic. The research method employed a survey with 158 respondents in the outskirts of Surakarta city. The results indicate that the high economic growth influences the consumption patterns of society and the growth of the informal sector, such as meatball and chicken noodle vendors. The Covid-19 pandemic imposes significant pressure on the informal sector, yet most vendors continue to operate with different strategies. The mobility of informal sector workers is not only from the surrounding areas of Surakarta but also from outside the province, driven by the attractiveness of the destination city, good accessibility, and adequate road conditions. Almost 27% of vendors stopped operating during the pandemic, but the majority persevered with adaptive strategies depending on their situation and creativity.

Cityphilia and cityphobia: A multi-scalar search for city love in Flanders

Cities, towns, and rural areas form a complex spatial system influenced by governance, economic factors, and the perceptions of their residents. This paper introduces the concepts of 'cityphilia' and 'cityphobia' as metaphors for the spatial attraction and repulsion forces that shape local quality of life. It aims to create and validate an operational framework for understanding citizens' appreciation and attachment to their living environment, often referred to as 'city love.' This framework considers two key components, 'body' and 'soul,' encompassing both physical and social aspects. Building upon Charles Tiebout's work on the competitive attractiveness of cities and aligning with contemporary research on the geography of happiness, a conceptual model is developed and applied to identify and assess the components of city love using various indicators. These indicators encompass local attractiveness, local public expenditures, and inter-urban interdependencies. The model is empirically tested in the context of Flanders, Belgium, a region comprising 300 distinct municipalities, both urban and rural. A Beta regression model is employed, which incorporates spatial dependencies to examine multi-scalar effects on residential satisfaction. The results affirm the soundness of the 'city love' framework and emphasize the significance of central place systems in providing tangible and intangible well-being services to citizens within a hierarchical spatial structure. These findings carry notable implications for urban policy and management, shedding light on how local attractiveness and interdependence shape the well-being of residents in diverse urban and rural settings.

What factors contribute to the socioeconomic and socioenvironmental valorisation of heritage sites?

PurposeThe heritage and tourist attractiveness of Heritage Cities have aroused interest in establishing mechanisms to enhance their value based on the development of sustainability policies. The socioeconomic and socioenvironmental valuation of these heritage sites has become a necessary tool for decision-making.Design/methodology/approachFollowing the recommendations of International Council on Monuments and Sites – ICOMOS, this paper proposes a series of indicators and an exploratory model to define the factors that contribute to their valuation. Following the partial least squares structural equation modelling methodology, information was obtained from 363 intramural residents in the three Heritage Cities that currently have management plans in Spain.FindingsThe results show the importance of specifying indicators of sustainable mobility and socioeconomic and socioenvironmental sustainability for an adequate valorisation of heritage sites.Originality/valueTo this end, it is necessary to follow the guidelines of international bodies such as ICOMOS in relation to the management plans.

Technology Finance and Urban Development: A Quantitative Approach to Shaping a New Future for Shrinking Cities

Using a dataset of 30 cities of different administrative levels in Liaoning Province, China, for the period 2007-2020, this study proposes a novel quantitative methodology for assessing the impact of socio-economic factors on the attractiveness of shrinking cities. By combining a shrinkage model with principal component analysis and extreme value normalisation of key indicators such as population size, GDP, retail sales of consumer goods, public budget expenditure, and secondary and tertiary employment, we provide a detailed analysis of the phenomenon of shrinking cities and its drivers. Using an interdisciplinary approach involving economics, psychology and sociology, we redefine traditional indicators for assessing the attractiveness of cities by analogising urban population dynamics to the process of molecular transfer in physical chemistry. This approach allows us to quantify the attractiveness of cities in four ways: socio-economic attractiveness, cost of living, public services and employment opportunities. The case study of Fushun illustrates the application of our model, revealing the potential for negative attractiveness across all dimensions and highlighting the multifaceted challenges facing shrinking cities. Our findings highlight the critical role of balanced socio-economic development, well-developed public services, affordable living conditions and adequate employment opportunities in enhancing the attractiveness of cities. This comprehensive framework provides valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers aiming to mitigate urban shrinkage and promote sustainable urban development.

The Geomarketing and the competitiveness of the spaces urban Morocco

The geomarketing, which combines data analysis with location-based marketing, is a powerful lever for enhancing the attractiveness and competitiveness of cities. In Morocco, the growing urbanization in a context of urbanization calls for innovative approaches to urban development. The detailed analysis of the spatial dynamics using the tools of the geomarketing (flow mapping, geo-location of consumers, segmentation, geographical, etc) can better understand the uses and needs in a given territory. These insights can effectively guide the public and private strategies in terms of urban planning, mobility, economic development and tourism. However, the respect of ethics and privacy in the use of data technology remains a key issue. To develop in a responsible manner the use of geomarketing in Morocco, frames, protectors of the personal data is required, as well as the strengthening of the research and public-private partnerships virtuous. Thoughtful integration of the geo-marketing can help the moroccan cities to improve their competitiveness, sustainability and the quality of life of citizens.

Social Media in City Branding Strategic: Empirical study in Solo City, Indonesia

The trend of tourist visits in Indonesia after Covid-19 has increased more than the period before Covid-19, despite being under intense competitive pressure. This competitive pressure drives the trend of city branding integrating with digital-based marketing communications to increase city attractiveness. This study is to explore how social media promotion and electronic word-of-mouth (e-wom) play a mediating role in city branding on tourists' decisions to visit and city image. This investigation was carried out with a quantitative methodology. Data was gathered via an online survey intended for Solo visitors. Purposive sampling was used to select 100 respondents to participate in this study. Data were analyzed using Smart PLS 4.0. The results showed that city branding directly affects city image and visiting decisions, but city image has an insignificant influence on visiting decisions. Visitor decisions and city branding can be influenced indirectly by social media promotion and e-wom. E-wom's indirect effect can mediate the impact of a city's image on visit decisions. The research findings that city branding - social media promotion - city image - e-wom - visiting decisions are in one indirect effect path.

지역 문화유산에 대한 스토리텔링이 도시매력성과 장소정체성 및 충성도에 미치는 영향

Purpose: Cultural heritage tourism is different from general tourism, so you can properly understand the cultural heritage when there is explanation through storytelling. Therefore, in this study, we aim to empirically study how cultural interpreters' storytelling about Gongju City's cultural heritage affects the city attractiveness, place identity, and loyalty perceived by tourists visiting Gongju City.
 Methods: For the empirical study, a survey was conducted on tourists who visited Gongsanseong Fortress and King Muryeong's Tomb, which are cultural heritage sites in the Gongju region, and experienced storytelling by cultural interpreters. A total of 182 questionnaires were used for empirical analysis.
 Results: As a result of factor analysis, storytelling was divided into education, interestingness, sensitivities, and theme nature categories, and city attractiveness, place identity, and loyalty were each classified into a single dimension. As a result of the hypothesis testing, it was found that among the components of storytelling, interestingness, sensitivities, and theme nature had a similar degree of influence on city attractiveness, while education had a somewhat lower influence. In addition, education had the highest influence on place identity, while interestingness, sensitivities, and theme nature had a lower influence than education.
 Conclusion: In the end, research has shown that storytelling about cultural heritage can increase city attractiveness, place identity, and loyalty.

ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE OLD TOWN TO STRENGTHEN THE IMAGE OF THE CITY OF SEMARANG

A good city must have a city Image where the perception of the city image is based on the process of observation, memory, attitude, and feelings that are directly created. The Old City as an urban heritage destination has its charm for visitors to the city of Semarang, which in turn has contributed to the image of the city of Semarang. This study aims to determine how the attractiveness of the old city strengthens the image of Semarang City and what factors support. This can promote the physical and non-physical sustainability of the old city, so that people get to know the city of Semarang through the old city. The results of this study found that the Old City of Semarang contributed to the formation of the image of the city of Semarang but was not too strong. This is influenced by the attractiveness of the old city which is visually different from its surroundings where the forming elements have a strong characteristic. Keywords: City Image, Attractiveness, Old Town

Estimating the Social Value of Digital Signage Landmarks as Sustainable Tourist Attractions

As urban tourism increases, digital signage landmarks are frequently utilized to develop and enhance the attractiveness of cities for tourism. However, the benefits of this development for local residents have not been fully explored from a sustainability perspective. Thus, this study aims to quantitatively analyze local residents’ perceptions of digital signage landmarks in urban areas using one of the prominent icons, the Samseong-dong free display zone in Seoul, Korea. To measure the overall value of the landmarks, this study used a double-bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation method and spike model. Based on the surveys of 600 respondents in Korea, the results show that a household’s willingness to pay to support the landmark annually is KRW 5401 (USD 4) on average in the form of income tax. The perceived annual value for the landmark is about KRW 790 million (USD 60 million), surpassing that of typical tourism attractions in Korea.

Measuring Italian art cities tourism: a proposal of indicators

In Italy, art cities have traditionally served as “magnets” for cultural tourism, significantly contributing to the country’s economic vitality. Many historic city centers are not simply “boxes” of artworks but are veritable open-air museums. In recent years, the profile of cultural and experiential visitors has increasingly oriented towards experiences that can be enjoyed individually or with family. While the traditional tourism system continues to offer conventional tourist products, it is also evolving to meet the growing demand for unique and unforgettable experiences. This represents new challenges for destination areas that seek to improve services and create attractions that can meet this emerging new audience. The objective of this work is to propose a composite indicator that measures the tourism potential of these art cities, drawing upon existing tourism indexes in the literature and equitable and sustainable well-being (BES) indicators, such as the domains of “landscape and cultural heritage” and “environment”. The decision to employ these indicators stems from their considerable relevance in a country like Italy, as well as the specific focus of our study. Additionally, we developed a ranking of Italian art cities, enabling us to determine their relative levels of attractiveness. To achieve this, a panel of Italian provincial capitals was selected, each with at least one museum and a UNESCO site. The composite indicator developed, which also considers social and environmental perspectives, represents an alternative quantitative approach to assessing the attractiveness of art cities. The underlying principle is that, in the ever-evolving scene of cultural tourism, beyond the indispensable role played by artistic and cultural heritage, the impact of scenic landscapes on people's quality of life and its connection to individual well-being plays a crucial role. This indicator could provide territorial planning professionals with statistical tools capable of identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the tourism offer of those cities that set themselves the goal of being a privileged place of artistic tourist attraction. The proposed composite indicator should make it possible to comprehend whether and how to develop paths to enhance the entire artistic heritage, while also considering the well-being of visitors.

Residential location choice: an investigation of transportation, public facilities, and social factors

Residential location choice is a crucial topic in transportation planning research since land use as well as residential land use can significantly affect a city's attractiveness for development and residence. Understanding the factors that influence households in their residential location choice is essential for policymakers to evaluate the effect of their decisions. In this study, the impact of transportation factors on the attractiveness of residential areas was investigated in Qazvin city, Iran, using the stated preference (SP) method and structural equation modeling (SEM). The results indicated that the type of housing and private house preference were significant factors influencing the residential location choice. Additionally, proximity to health centers, low pollution levels, and access to public transportation and taxi stations were the top priorities for residents when choosing a place to live. Notably, households with children in education had a greater emphasis on air pollution and the proximity to taxi stations, as these factors could affect their children's health and education. Overall, the findings suggested that transportation factors played a critical role in the residential location choice and that policymakers should prioritize public transportation and taxi services, as well as reduce pollution levels, to make residential areas more attractive and livable for Qazvin residents.