Portland and the Creative Class

Willamette Week's cover story on live/work spaces includes an interview with Portland economist Joe Cortright. Joe has been studying cities and their ability to be a magnet for college-educated 25-34 year old folks - who are, apparently, the engine of long-term economic growth:

WW: What, exactly, is the creative class?

Joe Cortright: That's a big part of the debate: How do you define these folks? Richard Florida defines them as people in certain occupations that include artists, authors, engineers and designers, but basically includes all teachers, managers and doctors. According to him, one out of every three people who works on a regular basis is a member of the creative class. But to me, it's unclear that that's a cohesive group in any meaningful term. My focus is on college-educated 25- to 34-year-olds. What we're both trying to get at is, "Who are the people creating the new ideas that help drive the economy forward?"

Can't older people be creative?

Absolutely, but young people are the most likely to move. Between the time you turn 25 and the time you turn 35, your likelihood of moving across state lines or cities drops by about half. So, as a practical matter, the only people you're going to get to move are people in that age group.

What else attracts well-educated 25- to 34-year-olds to Portland?

In addition to climate and location, the other things have to do with the fact that the city is walkable, bikeable and transit-oriented with a lot of small neighborhoods and businesses. It's a community where it's relatively easy to get connected and find people with similar interests. It's got a political system that's open to newcomers.

While you're at it, be sure to dive in and read Cortright's full report on Portland (and some other cities) on his website, RestlessYoung.com.

Then, check into PSU prof Ethan Seltzer's review (at WW) of The Flight of the Creative Class by Richard Florida:

Florida's particular genius ... is to provide evidence that place matters in a global economy. For those of us in Portland, where place matters a lot, this is encouraging.

What can we learn from a thoughtful consideration of the Florida zone? Perhaps the author's most important message is about the importance of truly urban, culturally diverse environments as the place where creative people meet and exchange ideas through informal networks.

Discuss.