Weird City: Sense of Place and Creative Resistance in Austin, Texas

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Issue Date
2008-07-30Author
Long, Joshua
Publisher
University of Kansas
Format
267 pages
Type
Dissertation
Degree Level
PH.D.
Discipline
Geography
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This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
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An increasing number of North American cities are demonstrating vocal resistance to perceived homogenization and corporatization of the urban landscape. In Austin, Texas, a grassroots movement has emerged as a form of resistance to these cultural and economic changes. "Keep Austin Weird," a slogan that has evolved from grassroots cultural movement to rallying cry for local business, is now being appropriated by numerous cities experiencing similar growth patterns (i.e. Boulder, Louisville, Albuquerque, and Portland, Oregon). This particular research is investigated in light of recent studies of the "Creative Class." Austin has been dubbed a Creative City success story by scholar Richard Florida and others, but is experiencing many challenges and externalities typical of growth in so-called Creative Cities. Ultimately, this research explores the inherent interconnections between sense of place, urban governance, and popular resistance. It also questions the potential sustainability of creative strategies for growth and the importance of civic participation. Keywords: Creative Cities, Sense of Place, Localization, Urban Landscape.
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