Amenities Drive Urban Growth

Abstract

Studies of the city traditionally posit a division between a city's economy and its culture, with culture subordinate in explanatory power to work. However, post-industrial and globalizing trends are dramatically elevating the importance of culture. Cultural activities are increasingly crucial to urban economic vitality. Models to explain the growth of cities from the era of industrial manufacturing are outmoded. Citizens in the postindustrial city increasingly make quality of life demands, treating their own urban location as if tourists, emphasizing aesthetic concerns. These practices impact considerations about the proper nature of amenities that post-industrial cities can sustain.Our classic theories of urban growth and decline are out of date. Not all need be scrapped but most need significant updating. Why? Because of globalization, the most dramatic force restructuring our cities around the world. The power of the process is no less if we ignore it; we do so at great risk. Mayors, developers, political party leaders, and even social scientists need to rethink their paradigms about how cities grow, decline, and redevelop. It is painful for everyone.This article briefly sketches the broader changes accompanying globalization then highlights the critical role of amenities and urban political choices about amenities, suggesting where and how they can dramatically shift urban growth dynamics. Data

Factors Explaining the Spatial Agglomeration of the Creative Class: Empirical Evidence for German Artists

“…Florida (and followers) highlight amenities, openness, and tolerance as key factors behind the geographic mobility and regional agglomeration of creative people Florida & Mellander, 2010;Florida, 2002aFlorida, , 2002b. The role of amenities is thereby of particular interest to us because recently they have been used to explain increasing urban economic and population growth (Clark, et al 2002;Glaeser et al 2001). This stimulated investments into amenities, which then became a fashionable policy tool which was to attract talented and creative people.…”

Demand for urban forests in United States cities

“…These factors are reflected in higher real estate prices, lower energy bills, and greater attraction to tourists and talented people and businesses (Bradley, 1995;Dwyer et al, 1992;Orland et al, 1992). Indeed, recent evidence shows that amenities drive urban growth and dynamics communities (Clark et al, 2002).…”

The Effects of Community Quality of Life on Local Policy Decisions

“…This body of research has emphasized the locational choices of individuals principally in response to features of the urban environment and city amenities. 44 For instance, 'creative class' theory, the research of Glaeser and his colleagues on consumer cities (Glaeser & Gottlieb, 2006;Glaeser et al, 2000), and the entertainment machine perspective (Clark et al, 2002) broaden understanding of locational decisions and associated spatial patterns of population movements.…”

“…The affluent people, particularly those who are younger, consider a city not only as a clear destination for work but also as a desirable place to live and play. To increase the opportunities for recreation and entertainment that is essential for their lifestyles, they selectively choose a city that has relevant amenities such as clean air, attractive views, parks, museums, art galleries, orchestras, and signature buildings (Clark et al, 2002). This growing concern for city amenities highlights that the shifted policy priorities from pure economic growth to provision of abundant city amenities not only fulfill some citizen needs and desires in a community, but also play a role in attracting and retaining affluent human capital.…”

“…People differ over which community domains are essential for their QoL, and individuals' perception of what matters for their QoL can change (Plagnol & Scott, 2010). When necessary QoL conditions like economic affluence are fulfilled, people attempt to optimize their living environment to improve their well-being, which results in distinctive spatial patterns of population movements related to non-economic factors such as city amenities (Clark et al, 2002;Glaeser & Gottlieb, 2006;Storper & Scott, 2009). The availability of 'exit' locally rather than nationally contributes to the explanatory power of QoL for city growth and urban competitiveness.…”