SPS Seminar
28 June 2018, 12:30-13:30
Venue: Think Room, Bouwkunde, TU Delft
Speaker: Prof. Martin de Jong
Topic: City branding in the face of ecological modernization: Evidence from polycentric regions in China, North-Western Europe and the Gulf States
Abstract: It has become common practice among urban governments around the world to brand their cities in flattering terms, especially when it comes to their green, clean and environmentally friendly profile. This enhances their attractiveness to investors, companies, residents and visitors in times when air, water and soil pollution are rife. But if this branding is not followed up by visible policy action, the likelihood of such practices risks being perceived as green-washing and is eventually self-defeating. In this presentation, Martin de Jong will demonstrate how cities in a few regions around the world engage in city branding and what makes some of these branding strategies credible and others not.
Martin de Jong is Antonie van Leeuwenhoek Professor (AvL) in Urban and Infrastructure Development in China at TPM, TU Delft, and Adjunct Professor of Public Policy at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University, Shanghai. Martin has specialized in urban and infrastructure development in China, with special strength in transport infrastructures and eco city/low carbon city development.
