Item/City

Rotterdam

Szczecin

Tirana

Urban context

Transforming post-industrial port city, multiculturalism, greening the economy, creative industries.

Former German city turned Polish after 1945, during and after socialist period, post-industrial port city.

Transformation after a harsh communist period, rapid population growth in 1990-2010, “wild-east” urban development

Authenticity and memory

Essential element of being unique, reconstruction city, postmodern port city

German till 1945, troubled history, shipyard memories.

Communism disregarded, modernization, real-estate driven development.

Current identity approach of local government

Careful communication, “Make it happen” new narrative for external and internal branding

Implicit, port city, stress on peripherality is a faraway part of Poland. Now emerging self-esteem.

Planning “reinvented”, explicit focus on modernization, Europeanization, primate city in the Albanian region.

Local government online

Intensive, all social media, modern entrepreneurial city, unique features, participate in Rotterdam

Modest online presence, with (now) positive mood. Space, green, water, economic chances.

Modest online presence. Colourful, modern, lively, transforming, hospitable. Mayor as key person.

Perceived functionality, identity building

Entrepreneurial city, politics of inclusion/exclusion

“We suffer from history, are not accountable” Now a more positive tone.

New European capital, power to political circle. Inviting people and investments.