Innovative and sustainable cities: City branding in the knowledge economy

The function of cities in the knowledge economy and the concept of creative cities has been elaborated on in the literature. It has been maintained that local policymakers can play a part in preparing cities for the knowledge economy. The literature however glances over how this is carried out, and how it relates to city branding and international positioning. The aim of the present study is to elaborate on how cities in the knowledge economy are marketed and branded making use of notions like innovation and sustainability. The Chinese mega-cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen are focused on in a multiple case study. The main elements in the case studies of these three cities are semi-structured interviews, observations, documentation and netnography. Chinese mega-cities – and Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen in particular – are interesting to focus on because they are central in China’s creation of, and move towards, a knowledge economy (e.g. through science-based innovation). These three cities moreover increasingly engage in city branding and international positioning, and integrate the notions of innovation and sustainability in their city branding practices. The study shows how three Chinese mega-cities make use of the notions of innovation and sustainability, in line with theirs and China’s move towards becoming a knowledge economy. The study contributes to the city branding literature, and offer insights to city managers and other practitioners involved in the development and branding of cities and places.