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Richard Florida Responds

I wanted to comment on Andrew Park's article about the application by towns and cities of my research. Park writes, "There's scant evidence that Florida-esque creativity strategies have moved the needle on traditional economic-development gauges such as job and income growth." But my theory says it's not any individual policy measures that move the needle. What's important is a broad ecosystem that encourages open-mindedness and self-expression, harnesses and attracts talent, and generates new innovation and wealth. Urban economies are big, complex systems that take a long time to change and morph.

Park also writes, "That hasn't stopped cities from chasing the creative class as if it were a high-stakes, zero-sum game." I never advocate poaching the creative class. Really, it can't be done. Top human capital is becoming more divergent and concentrated. We tell communities to stop the zero-sum stuff. And we work with them to tap into the huge untapped reservoir of creativity that they already have.

Then Park avers, "The bigger problem with pursuing creativity strategies might be their potential to overshadow a city's more basic social, educational, and infrastructural needs." This is an old saw used by skeptics and squelchers. My survey work with the Gallup Organization shows that what we really want is not an either-or community: safe streets or great parks, great schools or great culture. Rather, people want the basics--safe streets, good schools, and the like--and more.

Park closes by writing, "No one can fault cities for trying to be more livable. The question is whether doing so will make them more prosperous--or just more 'hip.'" But livable communities are more prosperous. The people who live in them are also happier and more fulfilled. And that's what we should be striving for.

Richard Florida
Washington, DC

On the Waterfront

I have been a resident of urban Chicago since 2000 and believe that Michael Shvo's envy for the Second City's lakefront skyline is certainly justified ("Shvo Motion," March). I wish that he shared Chicago mayor Richard Daley's pledge to make the city the most environmentally friendly city in America. Chicago, a cradle of American architecture, was one of the first cities to adopt LEED, and it has the most LEED-registered projects of any city in the world. Celebrity real estate markets will all remain second cities to Chicago until developers realize environmental conviction trumps a singular preference for profit.

Cliff Black
  Chicago, Illinois

Resolved: Great Open Debate

Your conversation about whether Google is overrated ("Open Debate," March) has to be one of the best articles I've read in the past five years. Thanks to fastcompany.com for publishing the complete exchange between Danny Sullivan and Donna Bogatin. This is a must-read for anyone in Internet marketing.

Martin Garcia
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Pictures Tell the Story

I enjoyed your page about Swivel ("Numbers…You're Swimming in Them," March). The graphics told the story well, and honestly, I don't think I would have understood half the data if it came at me in paragraph form!

Rebecca Wicks
Ventura, California

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