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 A new quarterly magazine of logical interest to the regional stewardship community is The Next American City, which seeks to explore the transformation of America's cities and suburbs by examining how and why our built environment, economy, society, and culture are changing. The magazine is published by The Next American City Inc., a nonprofit organization that tracks trends in municipal marketing, innovation and demographics, taking the position that America has abandoned the basic assumptions that have shaped debates about urban and suburban economics, policy and culture for the past half-century.
The Next American City Inc. asks, "Where do we go from here?in this rapidly changing landscape, how can businesses and developers thrive? How can cities and suburbs expand their economies? And how can our society successfully address social and environmental challenges? The organization seeks to answer these questions by telling clear and accessible stories on issues central to how our cities and suburbs are changing, including but not limited to architecture, planning and development, transportation, urban economies, housing, environmental issues, labor issues and workforce development, education, crime, and religion. The vehicle is The New American City, a thought-provoking national magazine that engages not just the planner, architect, developer, or policy analyst but also the businessperson, school board member, artist, and community activist.
The recently released fifth issue of The New American City, features an article by Richard Florida, author of the best-selling book The Rise of the Creative Class, in which he responds to recent criticism regarding his talent-centered program for urban and regional competitiveness. In recent months, Floridas prescription has come under attack from both ends of the political spectrum. For example, Steven Malanga of the Manhattan Institute has written in City Journal that cities should focus on the traditional economic development vehicle of low cost of business, arguing that Floridas emphasis on amenities that attract creative people promises less job creation than tax abatements and infrastructure investments. Meanwhile, Joel Kotkin warns urban communities against adopting policies that attract homosexuals, sophistos and trendoids, recommending instead that they cultivate environments compatible with family values and suburban sprawl.
Floridas article in the current issue of The New American City, Revenge of the Squelchers, offers new data to support his central thesis, that cities and suburbs can most effectively promote economic growth not by subsidizing big businesses with tax abatements but by inviting human creativity through the nurturance of diverse, tolerant and inclusive communities that enable people to realize their economic dreams and lead the lives they choose. Florida claims that his new research demonstrates that creative regions generate more jobs, higher salaries, more innovations, and greater high-tech sector growth.
Further, Florida likens the arguments of his critics to those of what urbanist Jane Jacobs labeled as squelcherscivic leaders who would sooner see their communities drift into a genteel poverty than reform their economic and social structures. Consequently, Florida urges cities and regions to abandon ideological debates and study the forces that drive genuine economic prosperity.
Revenge of the Squelchers launches a three-issue series of The Next American City on the creative class debate. Upcoming issues of the magazine will discuss the role of arts institutions in revitalizing cities, featuring the views of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Baltimore Mayor Martin OMalley.
Issue five of the magazine also features articles on the theme of disposable cities, examining whether St. Louis is prepared to survive the post-industrial era, whether manufactured housing is the next great hope for affordable housing in America, and why temporary refugee camps often become permanent cities.
To access Floridas article, direct your web browser to www.americancity.org/Archives/Issue5/florida.html; for more information on The Next American City Inc., visit their website, www.americancity.org. The organization also offers a free on-line newsletter.
Readers Note: If you would like to prepare a book review for inclusion in a future issue of this newsletter, or suggest a title for review by us, please contact David Lampe at or .
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