Much has been written about the rise of the creative class.  Many cities have reacted to the idea growing cities attract creative people by having developing marketing campaigns to attract the creative class. This may or may not be a good idea, but it misses the point.

What the studies have shown is that cities need to work on developing an environment where creativity can flourish. Creative people are a major catalyst to the economic prosperity of an area.  The three T’s of economic development are Technology, Talent, and Tolerance. The idea is to develop the city into one that attracts creative people.  Artists, actors, musicians, web developers, and others in the creative class want to live in environments that inspire and nourish their creativity.

Creative people are attracted to diverse places, places where they feel welcomed because they see that minorities feel welcomed.  Creative people are attracted to places that have the amenities they are looking for, from parks and places to workout, to coffee shops and other places to hangout. To attract the creative class and develop creative people, cities need to work on creating a people-centered environment.