The Rise of the Creative Class

On a recent trip to LA, I wandered into Borders and picked up 'The Rise of the Creative Class' by Richard Florida. I've realized the last couple of months that economic development and land-use issues interest me a lot more than I ever thought they did. After numerous conversations with acquaintances and friends over coffee, I realized it's time for me to get involved. Is a career in Urban Planning in my future? I think so. I've finally realized I've been a member of the Creative Class all along.

Hawaii is lovely and yet totally frustrating at times for the 20-30 something set that longs for a real urban core of people, places and culture in Honolulu. The Rise of the Creative Class was a great insight into how entirely essential nurturing culture and the arts and, most importantly, the PLACES these activities and exchanges take place in. Without a creative scene, places (towns, cities, what have you) will fail to grow economically: an economy of working/service class jobs will dominate, creative people born in the area will grow up and move away (the 'Brain Drain') and diversity will remain low. With the exception of the last of the three, Honolulu is one of the nation's Places (along with Detroit, Pittsburgh, etc) that has failed in the past to attract and grow a Creative Class.

The last decade or so, I've started seeing a shift in Honolulu. New 20-30 somethings moving in, college grads returning home and people of all ages renewing, or starting, an interest in the local arts and culture scene. While we're slowly getting there, The Rise of the Creative Class is a great read for those creative brains in Honolulu (and anywhere else for that matter) looking to push our economy and society into a new era.