The More Welcoming Community the Higher its GDP
The study found that people are mostly driven to live where they are by three major factors: a community’s social offerings (fun things to do), openness of the community and its physical beauty. What is mostly interesting is that research showed a significant correlation between residents’ affection for their community and the area’s local economic growth (level of GDP).
“This study is important because its findings about emotional attachment to place point to a new perspective that we encourage leaders to consider; it is especially valuable as we aim to strengthen our communities during this tough economic time,” said Paula Ellis, Knight Foundation’s vice president for strategic initiatives.
“This survey offers new approaches for communities to organize themselves to attract businesses, keep residents and holistically improve their local economic vitality,”said Jon Clifton, deputy director of the Gallup World Poll, who conducted the survey with funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Learn more about the study and how its results are being used by Miami , Detroit and other cities to form public policies.
Tags: Collective Impact, communities, community health, economic growth, inclusive, Knight Foundation, social capital, study