Creating cities building cities : architecture and urban competitiveness Contents: 1. Introduction: architecture and modern cities Part I The hard side 2. Stimulating the revival of the city 3. Establishing business center status 4. Establishing global city status the worlds tallest building 5. Creating transformative parks Part II The soft side 6. Establishing a brand or identity 7. Relating the city to the nation 8. Attracting a specific social cohort 9. Creating community Part III Final thoughts 10. What happens when a city fails to use architecture creatively 11. Some observations and conclusions Bibliography Index. For the past 150 years architecture has been a significant tool in the hands of city planners and leaders. In Creating Cities Building Cities Peter Karl Kresl and Daniele Ietri illustrate how these planners and leaders have utilized architecture to achieve a variety of aims influencing the situation perception and competitiveness of their cities. Whether the objective is branding re vitalization of the economy beautification development of an economic and business center status development or seeking distinction with the tallest building distinctive architecture has been an essential instrument for those who manage the course of a citys development. Since the 1870s and the reconstruction of Chicago following the Great Fire architecture has been affected powerfully by advances in design technology and materials used in construction. The authors identify several key elements in such a strategic initiative and in the penultimate chapter examine several cases of cities that have ignored one or more of these elements and have failed in their attempt. A unique set of insights into this fascinating topic this study will appeal to specialists in urban planning economic geography and architecture. Readers interested in urban development will also find its coverage accessible and enlightening