The mega-city has become the nerve centre of one of the world’s greatest mega- regions, a trans-border economic powerhouse that stretches from Buffalo to Quebec City. It’s important to recognize this, because mega-regions have replaced the nation state as the economic drivers of the global economy.
Richard Florida believes central Scotland has what it takes to be one of the world’s 40 or so mega-regions. It’s got the population density, income generation, skills, universities and creativity. What it also needs is a modern, fast rail network. The 20th century city sprawled with the motorcar, so further expansion will require high-speed trains.
Richard Florida’s “The Flight of the Creative Class: The New Global Competition for Talent” is a thought-provoking book says Melih Arat.
Florida discusses global competition, which was once a contest between countries, and now belongs to cities. In today’s world cities are in competition in terms innovation and creativity.
National Geographic Traveler interview with Richard Florida. Florida says society’s success is inextricably bound to the success of our great cities. And yet, the growing concentration of
wealth and human capital in urban areas is leading to greater inequality, with a person’s prosperity determined
increasingly by location. Florida explores social and economic trends in his numerous books.
The news and opinion site TheDailyBeast.com has ranked Albany #23 on its list of 25 best cities for college graduates based on a list by Richard Florida who said he and his team analyzed a Gallup survey of 28,000 Americans in their twenties to figure out the key draws for them in a location after they graduate college.
Researchers, Peter J. Rentfrow of the University of Cambridge in England, Charlotta Mellander of the Jönköping International Business School in Sweden and Richard Florida (of “The Creative Class” fame) of the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, used data from Gallup’s well-being index to figure out which states are happier than others.
Richard Florida asserts that the world is “spiky”-with talent, innovation and creativity clustering in mega-regions that are increasingly powerful drivers of the global economy.
Richard Florida discusses the rise of “means metros” in an article on McKinsey & Co.’s blog. These are the urban areas that in recent decades have gathered a disproportionate share of America’s most talented workers. Seattle is among this elite few.
In his best-selling book, Who’s Your City?, Dr. Florida argues that the world is a “spiky place”, characterized by a concentration of economic activity, innovation, and resulting prosperity in a relatively small number of urban hotspots around the planet.
The merging of the Noosa Creative Alliance and the Sunshine Coast to create the Sunshine Coast Regional Alliance in Noosa, Australia.
Richard Florida’s research on mega-regions provides a potentially useful framework for thinking about where and how to invest in a national high-speed rail system.
Transportation infrastructure plays a big role in economic development by opening up new spaces and by allowing for the redevelopment of old spaces in more intensive ways.
Richard Florida overlays the proposed high speed rail network on his map of megaregions and makes some very good points.
Florida’s public policy-makers must recognize that mega-regions are the engines of the newglobal economy. They must support Florida’s mega — the 15th largest in the world.
New Hampshire and Maine — from Portland south — are considered the “northern edge” of the 500-mile Boston-Washington, D.C., corridor that Richard Florida, author and professor at the University of Toronto’s Joseph L. Rotman School of Management, has found generates $2.2 trillion in economic activity.
A popular economic development guru believes that a region’s tolerance and diversity, its quality of life and its support for what he describes as the “creative class” pave the way for economic and population growth. According to Richard Florida: “The distinguishing characteristic of the creative class is that its members engage in work whose function is to ‘create meaningful new forms.’ “
From where I sit, Philadelphia’s future looks very bright. Trust me: I know all about the issues that confront the city. I grew up in New Jersey, went to Rutgers, and spent much of my teens and 20s hanging out in Center City. I’ve seen the dark days and watched the recovery.
When people talk about economic competitiveness, the focus tends to be on nation states. In the 1980s, many were obsessed with the rise of Japan. Today, our gaze has shifted to the phenomenal growth of Brazil, Russia, India and China. But this focus on nations is off the mark.
Richard Florida, author of “The Rise of the Creative Class,” gave an interview recently in which he said great things about Dayton. Florida’s Toronto-based consulting group is working with the region’s creative-class types to imagine, organize and realize initiatives that excite especially young and talented people, but that also make a community a better place for everybody.
NOOSA and the Sunshine Coast are among Australia’s leaders when it comes to attracting and retaining creative talent, according to the findings of a research report commissioned by the Noosa Creative Alliance.
Nations have long been considered the fundamental economic units of the world, but that distinction no longer holds true. Today, the natural units -and engines- of the global economy are megaregions, cities and suburbs in powerful conurbations, at times spanning national borders, forming vast swaths of trade, transport, innovation and talent.
By Richard Florida and Martin Kenney, Journal of the American Planning Association – Winter 1992
By Richard Florida, Research Policy – 1999
By Richard Florida, A report prepared for the Regional Plan Association and the Civic Alliance – April 2002
By Andrew Mair and Richard Florida and Martin Kenney, Economic Geography – Oct 1988
By Maryann P. Feldman and Richard Florida, Annals of the Association of American Geographers – June 1994
