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If America’s “greatest economic challenge since the dawn of the industrial revolution” is the “global competition for talent,” as best-selling author and social theorist Richard Florida suggests, what does Florida think of the global competition for resources? In his books The Rise of the Creative Class and The Flight of the Creative Class, Florida argues there’s a link between a region’s ability to attract and cultivate creative people and its ultimate economic success. But this coveted Creative Class also demands green places to live, says Florida, so sustainability and creativity may go hand in hand—along with the abandonment of the ex-urban structure.

JG:
Could you tell us what is the New Economy and the Creative Class?

RF:
We’re shifting to an economy where value is created through creativity. We have this group of people who are paid to use their creativity, and we have a bunch of other people who toil in manufacturing and service jobs; who use elements of their creativity but are not principally paid for that. The real challenge of our time is to extend the structures of the creative economy to include everyone. Creativity doesn’t know and doesn’t care about any of the social categories we’ve imposed on ourselves. It really comes in all kinds of people. So the key is to be an open, tolerant and diverse society where people can express themselves. Once they can express themselves, part of that expression will be an expression of creativity, which is the stuff of which economic value is created.

JG:
What is the impact of the New Economy and Creative Class on the sustainability of our urban regions?

RF:
Talented people who are participating in the creative economy and have a choice in where to live are selecting places that are greener and more sustainable. Being in a greener, more naturally oriented kind of community with better open space, parks and cleaner air and water must be something people really desire. Creative people will go to places that are more open, more tolerant and more sustainable.

JG:
Your writing often focuses on attracting more creative people to urban areas. Do you think there should be a limit to the growth of these areas?