Measuring urban identity. Comparative analysis of previous studies

Department of Planning and Regional Development, School of Engineering, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece

^* Corresponding author: atasopoulou@uth.gr

Abstract

Urban identity is a composite idea that dates back to the 1960s and combines the concept of identity with urban features. It consists of both objective elements, such as a city’s characteristics, as well as subjective elements, such as perception, feeling and connection to a place. Urban identity has been mainly studied in relation to sense of place and place attachment, but it has also been studied, to a smaller extent, in relation to urban planning, public space and tourism. This study summarizes previously conducted research on urban identity, with a focus on studies that address the objective aspect of urban identity and especially those whose point of interest is on urban planning and public space. With a particular emphasis on quantitative research, the objective is to present the fields in which urban identity has been studied and the parameters that form it. The research reveals that urban identity requires further investigation in terms of urban planning and each of its components. This means that building codes, densities and land uses have a significant effect on urban identity and may even define it to some degree.