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Earlier in the year we published an article by Sharon Gochenour on the evolution of Kansas City’s visual identity, looking at the city’s attempt to rebrand itself with the slogan ‘The Fountain City’. The post generated a lot of discussion over on Tumblr, with many of our followers sharing their own city’s slogan. Here’s eight of our favourite ones and what they might mean:
1. Chicago – Second to None
For decades, Chicago was the second most-populated city in the United States, earning it the nickname ‘the second city’. Keen to shake off this less-than-positive label, the city of Chicago adopted the slogan ‘Second to None’ in 2011.
Edit: A Chicago native has informed me that Chicago’s nickname originated from it’s reconstruction in the 19th century before being repurposed for the above reason.
2. Edinburgh – Inspiring Capital
This play on words from the capital of Scotland references the city’s successful financial district, as well as suggesting visitors to the city will find their visit inspiring.
3. Brisbane – Australia’s New World City
Brisbane – Australia’s third-largest city – is using this slogan to brand itself as a globally-connected city as well as referencing the multicultural background of its population.
4. Hamilton – The Waterfall Capital of the World
Unless I’m missing something, there’s not much hidden meaning behind this slogan. With a population of half a million and 126 waterfalls (that’s 1 waterfall for every 4,000 people, in case you were wondering), Hamilton is selling itself on the one thing no other city has. Or the 126 things no other city has.
5. Kazan – Where Europe Meets Asia
This city in north-west Russia is located, if you hadn’t already worked it out, on the edge of Europe and Asia, with the slogan referencing the city’s unique geographical location as well as the culture of the city.
6. Albuquerque – The Duke City
There’s no wordplay or geographical subtleties here. Instead, New Mexico’s largest city is referencing its history, when 18th century Spanish colonists were granted permission to start a city, choosing to name it after Spain’s Duke of Albuerquerque. After shedding a few excess letters, as Americans love to do, Albuquerque was born.
7. Rochester – The Flour City/The Flower City
The Village of Rochesterville’s economy was built around flour mills in the early 19th century, but as the economy shifted towards farming and several seed companies set up in the local area, the slogan pivoted like the economy did.
8. Sydney – City of Villages
Sydney’s slogan supposedly describes the many distinct communities that exist within the city’s boundaries, but it also seems to reference the sprawling city’s low density built environment (probably not intentionally). And with Barry O’Farrell, the Premier of New South Wales, eager for further development on the the city edges, Sydney may soon have more villages within its boundaries.