Ethos of city? Actions of government and local identity in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

Abstract

In order to evaluate if it is possible to build a dominat city ethos as a government policy in an intermediate city of an emerging country, we present an analysis of the relationship between policies implemented by the Municipal Government (2010-2015) and the formation of local identity and civic pride. The hypothesis raised and tested by Bell and De-Shalit (2011) indicates that this is possible, however our hypothesis suggests that in Hermosillo this is not the case because the implemented policies are disconnected from the needs of its inhabitants as well as the values, representations, urban elements (etc.) that are recognized and identified by both locals and outsiders as their own. To collect the evidence, we used a mixed methodology which involved survey (quota sampling), in-depth interviews and discourse analysis of the Municipal Development Plans in the 2010-2012 period. This information was corroborated in official sources. The result of the investigation was positively tested for our hypothesis despite the fact that the preconditions established by Bell and De-Shalit (2011) are present in Hermosillo.