Municipal identity. A multilevel analysis of the determinants of individual attachment to municipalities

The article focuses on the determinants of municipal identity, itself considered to be an important prerequisite of civic and political engagement. The determinants of attachment to the municipality of residence are derived from four different theoretical approaches. They are tested by means of multi-level analyses to look into the question of the effect of individual and contextual characteristics on the development of municipal identity. The analysis of Swiss municipalities shows that municipal identity is a multi-dimensional concept, consisting of affective attachment and formal as well as informal integration. On the whole, individual as well as aggregate spatial mobility have rather a negative impact on individual municipal identity. By contrast, individual interests in terms of home ownership and parenthood have rather a positive influence on the development of local attachment. The analyses further point to the importance of including contextual conditions: the development of an individual's municipal identity depends on the size of the respective municipality as well as its socio-economic, cultural, institutional and macro-economic attribute