Some summer reflections and vacational thoughts that I’d like to share …
In his book The rise of the creative class, Richard Florida tells us that countries that will lead the way in the future will be those that nurture the conditions for a “creative class”to flourish: from painters and artists to bioeng researchers and state-of-the-art software developers. It won’t be China or India, according to Mr. Florida, that will set the path; it will be local cities -not even countries- that create conditions to attract the business leaders of today and tomorrow.
Talented and creative professionals tend to decide where they set their home based on a number of factors: from the quality of leisure options (access to the sea, ski resorts, night life, networking with other creative people, entertainment, …) – at an earlier stage in their professional lives – to quality of education for their kids and culture offering (at a later stage). Professional options, freedom of speech and access to nature are also factors that rank high.
His conclusion is that knowledge-economy companies tend to choose the location of their operations based on the available “creative class” individuals; and not the other way around – people relocating to the Silicon Valleys of today.
Interesting conclusions that found the basement for new reflexions on the dynamics of the knowledge economy. Apparently City Council policies gain more relevance since they are the responsible for creating the right environment and conditions to attract the creative class.
In the end is the talented professionals that get to decide what cities they will choose to establish and they will elevate some environments – cities – over the others. Here’s Cushman & Wakefield’s European Cities Monitor for 2009, where 500 senior executives from leading European companies share their views on leading business cities:
| Location | 2009 | 2009 | 2008 | 2008 | 1990 |
| Rank | Score | Score | Rank | Rank | |
| London | 1 | 0.85 | 0.80 | 1 | 1 |
| Paris | 2 | 0.56 | 0.57 | 2 | 2 |
| Frankfurt | 3 | 0.33 | 0.32 | 3 | 3 |
| Barcelona | 4 | 0.28 | 0.26 | 5 | 11 |
| Brussels | 5 | 0.28 | 0.28 | 4 | 4 |
| Madrid | 6 | 0.23 | 0.22 | 7 | 17 |
| Munich | 7 | 0.21 | 0.20 | 9 | 12 |
| Amsterdam | 8 | 0.20 | 0.24 | 6 | 5 |
| Berlin | 9 | 0.18 | 0.20 | 8 | 15 |
| Milan | 10 | 0.15 | 0.11 | 13 | 9 |
(*) Source: Cushman & Wakefield, Europan Cities Monitor, 2009
Barcelona is and has been a reference in business cities in Europe. After London, Paris and Frankfurt (major economic hubs), it finds a place ahead of other major economic capitals.
Local economic environment not being a particular strength of the city, freedom of expression, access to nature (sea and mountains – Pyrenees), weather conditions over the year and access to leisure (balance between culture and social events) are key to this high rankings.
These factors are not going to change in the coming years; so the “creative class” will continue to be attracted to the city and help it consolidate its place in the European business map.
Would you agree? – Toughts?
