City branding: A facilitating framework for stressed satellite cities

The emergence of the satellite cities as feeder cities to major metropolises is a phenomenon of increasing urbanization. Workers and students travel to the major city, returning on mediocre public transport or congested highways. Problems in some satellite cities range from deficient local employment opportunities, to social and cultural activities, and economic development. Concurrent local unemployment and higher crime rates suggest that citizens experience stresses. These factors affect the citizens' brand experience and identity. Conversely, self-sustaining cities associate with strong economic and social roots. The developing city branding research domain has yet to address stressed satellite cities' branding. The study's purpose is to develop the nature of a stressed satellite city brand profile. This quantitative study examines two stressed satellite cities, developing a common stressed satellite cities brand profile. The findings develop a common stressed satellite city brand profile, facilitating policies addressing stressed satellite cities' problems.

► Identifies the common brand profile for stressed satellite cities.
► The brand profile is shallow and lackluster compared with self sustaining cities.
► Government services and safety have unusually dominant roles in the brand profile.
► The study provides a diagnostic framework for city branding.
► Enables more comprehensive solutions using a city branding framework.