(Community Matters) Nice press in THE paper of record
Once a sleepy state-government and university town, Austin is now a cultural and technological hub as well. . . . There is a notion, made famous by Richard Florida, that cities can prosper by putting in bicycle lanes and nightlife districts and the rest. These amenities attract the savvy young knowledge workers of the creative class, who in turn attract business. But perhaps the causal connection runs in the other direction. If a city has enough engineers in its tax base, the bike mechanics can scrape together a living alongside them. Either way, Austin has pulled it off.
“But perhaps the causal connection runs in the other direction. If a city has enough engineers in its tax base, the bike mechanics can scrape together a living alongside them.”
Pretty sure the causal connection runs this way. I’m afraid civic planners around the country are drinking Richard Florida’s Kool-Aid and operating out of a belief that a thriving arts scene and some funky restaurants will attract high-tech jobs. When it’s probably the other way around.