ISSUE NO.7: Identification
Dossier
At first, we would like to thank everyone who took part in the voting. Secondly, we would like to discuss the meaning of identification. We use the term “identification” in the broadest possible meaning with regard to the common definition of Mirriam-Webster’s Medical Dictionary which defines “identification” as a “[…] psychological orientation of the self in regard to something (as a person or group) with a resulting feeling of close emotional association”. Instead of person or group we insert city. So we just transform the definition into “identification is a person’s association with or assumption of the qualities or characteristics of a city.” The main question behind this whole issue is: What exactly is it that fosters identification with a certain city? By having a closer look on the factors we will find the answer.
As shown in the figure the most important factor about identification in the city of the future is “Family and friends”. That means family and friends have the strongest influence on people’s identification with a city. People are social beings and psychological theories have proven that people need anchor points and attachment figures for the identification process.
Furthermore “Family and friends” have a strong impact on the community. If you are interested in that issue please have a look on the book “Family Activism: Empowering Your Community, Beginning with Family and Friends” by Roberto Vagas.
The factor “Family and friends” is followed by “People & lifestyle / living environment” in second place. The people with their lifestyle and the whole living environment in a certain city are important for the identification with that city. The greater the fit between a person’s lifestyle and that of the city, and the more similar the people are to the person in question, the easier it is to have a close emotional association to the city.
The factor in third place is “Housing & architectural environment”. It is generally accepted that architecture frames our experience of the world, helps to develop our sense of belonging and structures our memories as well as being shaped by these.
In fourth place there is “Working environment”. We had a discussion on that factor in dossier No. 4 Economic Environment. There we pointed out if there are not enough job possibilities for the people in a city there will be a lot of consequences. For instance, people will leave such cities and regions and migrate. In our modern society, moving to a new location because of a job is a fairly frequent event. That means that a new job opportunity is one of the reasons to move to another city and start a life in a new city. Therefore the identification process with a city starts with the working environment.
Other factors that create identity are “Cultural offerings” on fifth and “Nightlife” on sixth place. Culture refers to the customs, practices, languages, values and world views that define social groups such as those based on nationality, ethnicity, region or common interests. Cultural identity is important for people’s sense of self and how they relate to others. Any offers that relate to this plays a role in the identification with a city. This also applies to the evening entertainment offers.
Factors which are not that important in terms of identification but have to be mentioned are “Food & beverages” in seventh, “Climatic conditions” in eight, “Memories and emotional connections” in ninth, “Location and access to international infrastructure” in tenth, “Language and dialects” in eleventh position.
In the last position there is “Image and ad campaigns”. This is quite surprising. Just because thinking of one of the most famous ad campaigns, the “I ♥ NY” logo and advertising campaign which logo is spread all over the world, we had expected a greater influence of that factor.
WorldArchitectureNews.com – WAN – is seeking to break the traditional annual awards with the .jpg)
Here is a reference to an exhibition: 
Danish 
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