"Cities and the Creative Class"

Cities have long been identified with diversity, creativity, and innovation. But, as Florida argues, urban scholars and policymakers have typically and exclusively identified these assets with corporations and firms. This is apparent when one examines the tax abatements and other financial incentives municipal and state governments offer companies to relocate to or remain in their cities. When we turn our explanatory gaze to municipal efforts to attract talented and creative individuals (and to keep them as residents), we see certain theories might apply but each has shortcomings.