"Attached" to Urban Economic Growth

A new study suggests that cities for which residents have a higher degree of emotional attachment and loyalty have greater levels of economic growth.

1 minute read

September 30, 2009, 10:00 AM PDT

By Michael Dudley


In a recent study (the findings of which won't be news to readers of Richard Florida's work), researchers found that:

"perceptions of economic prosperity are not the leading drivers of attachment feelings among residents. Instead, most of the 14,000 respondents rated social offerings (such as entertainment and other venues that promote interconnectivity among residents), openness (acceptance of diversity) and community aesthetics as the top qualities that influenced decisions on where to anchor their lives and careers."

Those cities in the study that were able to inspire such attachment were also those leading in economic growth, the study found.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 in The Globe and Mail

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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.

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