Urban Growth and Mobile Societies

Interesting post from my friend Christine on Richard Florida's recent lecture here in Seattle. He discusses urban trends and growth based on his new book: book: Who’s Your City?: How the Creative Economy Is Making Where to Live the Most Important Decision of Your Life.

I read about this guy a few year's ago in the context of how certain cities were trying to do something to combat the "brain drain" of college grads leaving for the bright lights and better restaurants of the New York's, San Francisco's and even Austin's of our great nation. At that time, he was serving as a consultant to cities trying to improve their situation and become, at most shallow, "hip and cool", and at best, thriving centers that serve a diverse and well-educated population more effectively.

Florida seems to have expanded into the migration of people globally, not just here in the states, and which places are defined as "super cities." This includes the likes of Seoul and Sydney.

I did not get the chance to attend this lecture, but Christine did a great summary. Check it out. Poses some interesting questions not just about the macro consequences of such growth concentrated in certain urban centers, but also at a more personal level, why do we choose the cities we choose to live in - and more importantly, why do some of us remain stuck in cities that do not make us happy always wishing we lived somewhere else? Discuss.