Friday, November 28, 2003
Creativity and Cities
I have often wondered why some cities are greater magnets of talent than others. In the US, San Francisco, New York, Seattle etc seem to attract a greater critical mass of talent than say, Columbus OH or Houston TX. In India, Bangalore and Bombay attract more talent and creativity than Madras or Chandigarh. The Straits Times is carrying a series of stories on this issue. In the first part, Warren Fernandez investigates what makes for "brain-gain" cities.
CITIES which draw talent have some common characteristics: they are welcoming to people of diverse backgrounds, providing them with room and opportunities to work and play hard. A recent survey of 'brain-gain' cities by the Washington Post found that these cities tend to have a high percentage of residents who are artists, writers and musicians, as well as large and visible gay communities.
These groups are not necessarily more talented than others. But their presence signals how open the local community is to new ideas and differences of views and lifestyles. Cities which are not welcoming to diversity tend to put people off, driving talent away, and with them the companies and jobs that they would fill.
Another key characteristic of 'brain-gain' cities is a high percentage of foreign-born residents, reflecting a significant population of college-educated imports. Boston's population, for example, swells by nearly a million during term time, when students from around the world descend on it to attend one of its many tertiary institutions. This talent helps make top-tier cities diverse, tolerant and rich with the cultural amenities that help them attract more talent.
Among the features these talent-magnet cities boast include pedestrian neighbourhoods, great food, good bookshops, and a vibrant arts scene, whether it be live music, theatre or a first-rate symphony orchestra. Happening places, with pubs, bars, humour clubs, or just pleasant parks and walkways are also significant draws.
The second part of the series analyses the specific cases of Austin, Boston and Seattle.
Key quote I agree with -- by Prof Richard Florida of Carnegie-Mellon, and author of The Rise of the Creative Class -- You cannot get a technologically innovative place unless it's open to weirdness, eccentricity and difference.
CITIES which draw talent have some common characteristics: they are welcoming to people of diverse backgrounds, providing them with room and opportunities to work and play hard. A recent survey of 'brain-gain' cities by the Washington Post found that these cities tend to have a high percentage of residents who are artists, writers and musicians, as well as large and visible gay communities.
These groups are not necessarily more talented than others. But their presence signals how open the local community is to new ideas and differences of views and lifestyles. Cities which are not welcoming to diversity tend to put people off, driving talent away, and with them the companies and jobs that they would fill.
Another key characteristic of 'brain-gain' cities is a high percentage of foreign-born residents, reflecting a significant population of college-educated imports. Boston's population, for example, swells by nearly a million during term time, when students from around the world descend on it to attend one of its many tertiary institutions. This talent helps make top-tier cities diverse, tolerant and rich with the cultural amenities that help them attract more talent.
Among the features these talent-magnet cities boast include pedestrian neighbourhoods, great food, good bookshops, and a vibrant arts scene, whether it be live music, theatre or a first-rate symphony orchestra. Happening places, with pubs, bars, humour clubs, or just pleasant parks and walkways are also significant draws.
The second part of the series analyses the specific cases of Austin, Boston and Seattle.
Key quote I agree with -- by Prof Richard Florida of Carnegie-Mellon, and author of The Rise of the Creative Class -- You cannot get a technologically innovative place unless it's open to weirdness, eccentricity and difference.
