The Importance Of Cityness

Cityness consists of all the visible and invisible factors which make a city characteristic for what it is. Cityness is also defined by the level of connectedness, the actors which create a meaning for an environment using deep societal constructs, and urban factors, such as livability. The high levels of urbanization are a leading threat towards livability by creating poor social and environmental conditions. This section will explain the aspects of cityness that are of interest to the authors. Evans (2002), gives light to the linkage between the city and the state. Even if the state is seen as “cogs in growth machines”, Evans (2002), finds that seeking possibilities of a “state-society synergy” and identifying it would allow for a better understanding of livability. Additionally, this would open up a strategy for creating more sustainable cities, by finding such factors of livability, making it possible for these characteristics being passed on to other cities. This might take place by strengthening the bond between government and society, and providing better conditions for people in hopes that this would move the city towards improved livability. Sorensen and Okata (2011), find that …show more content…
He believes that the widely known sustainability prism (focusing on environment, economy and society) should be abandoned because it is not applicable towards every situation, since every place is distinct. Furthermore, Connely (2007), believes that the sustainability prism limits further development by using “simply typologies of sustainable development” (267), ignoring different possibilities. Connelly (2007), proposes a change in the sustainability prism by changing the center point of sustainability and shifting it towards the axis which needs more focus, based on the situation. Connelly (2007), finds that this would be a more suitable