Richard Florida: An International Creative Class War

The United States is becoming less attractive to the creative class, writes Richard Florida, while cities in other countries are becoming new magnets.

1 minute read

February 2, 2004, 11:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Other countries are now encroaching more directly and successfully on what has been, for almost two decades, the heartland of our economic success -- the creative economy... Cities from Sydney to Brussels to Dublin to Vancouver are fast becoming creative-class centers to rival Boston, Seattle, and Austin. They're doing it through a variety of means--from government-subsidized labs to partnerships between top local universities and industry. Most of all, they're luring foreign creative talent, including our own... But the bigger problem isn't that Americans are going elsewhere. It's that for the first time in modern memory, top scientists and intellectuals from elsewhere are choosing not to come here.

Thanks to Congress on New Urbanism Listserv

Monday, February 2, 2004 in The Washington Monthly

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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