City design management as a local competitiveness factor

This paper raises the importance of the built environment and aesthetic matters in the debate on the competitiveness of cities. The quality of a living environment is an important factor in creating competitiveness and the reputation of places. Cities compete for the favours of inhabitants, companies and visitors, and an attractive urban milieu could attract important and creative human resources to a city. This paper defines the concept of city design management as a conceptual way of emphasising the importance of designing an attractive living environment. City design management means all-inclusive managing of the city design. It gives a city the opportunity to be distinguished from other cities. The elements of city design management are city topography, general impression, presentation and management.