Developing a Framework for Urban DNA Analysis

Abstract

Why do cities evolve the way they do? Is there an underlying urban DNA essence shaping their uniqueness? This research started with these fundamental questions and introduces the concept of urban DNA to explore them—not as just a metaphor but as a grounded framework that explains how cities evolve based on the interplay of regulatory mechanisms and niche dynamics that shape a city's identity, growth, and long-term development. This research aims to theorize and operationalize the concept of urban DNA in a way that captures both structural and place-based drivers of urban transformation. To do so, the research is structured around four key objectives: (1) to review the existing literature on urban DNA and its connections with urban identity, place-branding, and evolution to identify knowledge gaps; (2) to identify the relevant theories, analysis methods, and information that can assist in conceptualizing urban DNA and urban evolution; (3) to access how the proposed urban DNA framework performs in real-time applications a comparative multi-case study of seven U.S. tech hub cities; and (4) to examine how urban DNA influences, and is influenced by, broader trajectories of economic development and urban transition. The research employed a retroductive approach to develop a foundational theoretical and operational framework to understand urban DNA processes. In creating a theoretical framework, 17 urban development and evolution theories were studied to pinpoint what makes each city unique and how they change over time. Among these, regulation and urban niche theory were particularly insightful in explaining urban uniqueness and the growth and stability phases of urban development. The research argues that the dynamic configuration of these two theories can reveal a city's distinctive developmental path and urban genetic essence. The comparative case studies were based on evidence gathered on the evolution of Tech AI in seven cities—Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, Chicago, Boston, and Washington, D.C.—to identify relevant urban DNA variables and assess the influence of regulatory and niche factors as urban genetic elements. Semi-structured interviews with directors of urban planning and economic development not only confirmed the significant role of these regulatory and niche factors but also elucidated how these genetic elements are formed and transformed. To further operationalize the urban DNA framework, an 11-step approach is proposed. This framework supports both the identification of DNA taglines for place branding and aims to understand the impact of DNA mutations on urban growth processes. Time-series econometric modeling was also used to conduct an in-depth urban DNA transformation study of San Francisco. Using Vector Autoregression (VAR), especially the FAVAR model and co-integration techniques, the analysis examined the co-evolution of regulatory and niche variables over time. While the results revealed significant relationships between these elements and long-term economic performance, the use of proxies for some urban traits and the challenges faced by a lack of data highlight important avenues for future research. This inquiry not only advances the understanding of urban DNA but also has broader implications for urban planning research.