SEASIDE News

I ran across The Rise of the Creative Class while visiting Midcoast Magnet (see the 10/6/07 entry). The Rise of the Creative Class was written by Richard Florida, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Florida is a social scientist interested in why, and especially, where we live as we do. He’s particularly interested in what he calls the Creative Class. Much of the research for this book was driven by these questions: “How do we decide where to live or work? What really matters to us in making this kind of life decision? How has this changed - and why?” (pg 217)

Very basically, the Creative Class is made up of anyone that uses creativity to solve problems or to accomplish tasks. So this class is broader than one would initially imagine it to be; the list is lengthy. What Florida has found is that there is a link between economic growth and where the Creative Class prefers to live. The challenge for communities looking for economic growth is to provide that type of environment that appeals to this class. Florida’s “Creative Capital Theory…says that regional economic growth is driven by the location choices of creative people - the holders of creative capital - who prefer places that are diverse, tolerant and open to new ideas.” (pg 223) Fellow researching, Robert Cushing, and Florida discovered four types of communities:

1. Classic Social Capital Communities
2. Organizational Communities
3. Nerdistans
4. Creative Centers (the communities representing the new Creative mainstream)

Cushing found that social capital had little to do with regional economic growth. The high social capital communities showed a strong preference for “social isolation” and “security and stability” and grew the least - their defining attribute being a “close the gates” mentality.” (pg 275) Florida illustrates how two main types of communities impact the resident:

“In a classic social capital community, a relatively small and dense network of strong ties would dominate every aspect of your life, from its day-to-day content to its long-term trajectory. You would hang out mostly with people you know very well and who would shape your career, tastes and personal life according to their values. Life in modern communities is driven more often and in more aspects by a much larger number of loose ties. Interestingly, people seem to prefer it this way. Weak ties allow us to mobilize more resources and more possibilities for ourselves and others, and expose us to novel ideas that are the source of creativity.” (pg 277)

Florida has studies hundreds of communities and has been a consultant to many others. His book cites examples of successful growth, showing how regions have changed to meet the modern demands of a growing Creative Class and economy. He posits,

“… cities need a people climate even more than they need a business climate. This means supporting creativity across the board… and building a community that is attractive to creative people… communities need to be open to diversity and invest in the kinds of lifestyle options and amenities people really want.” (pg 283)

I’ll end this report with a few more quotes:

“Cities and regions need to recognize the importance of incorporating all three facets of the new economic model: technology, talent and tolerance. Without all of these factors working together, communities will be unable to become true Creative Communities and achieve the economic growth and quality of life their citizens deserve.” (pg 302) “What is required… is a shared vision that can motivate the specific actions we choose to take. This vision must reflect the very principles of the Creative Age: that creativity is the fundamental source of economic growth, and that it is an essential part of everyone’s humanity that needs to be cultivated. Such a shared vision can provide a guiding path for any new groups that form and also imbue new direction into our existing institutions and governing bodies.” (pg 318)

The Creative Economy is placing demands on communities to “combine innovation and economic growth with authentic community and a better way of life.” (pg 282) The challenge for Southeast Alaska and our communities is to discover whether or not we are or can be one of those Creative Centers. Read The Rise of the Creative Class and learn more about what Richard Florida has come to understand about the economy and the future.