High Density Housing & The Creative Class Myth

To All COLA LO Members,

This week a number of conflicting articles came out regarding two primary tenants of the Urban renewal paradigm.    The first is a blogger article on the the fallacy of the "creative class" that was supposed to create additional economic development in Portland and other "hip" cities.  

The article can be found at:   Fall of the Creative Class.   So the younger families and residents that are supposed to move into high density housing and save urban renewal development either a myth or the trend may be over.  

At the same time an article claims that the high density demographic shift is still in full force and that older residents want to move into condos Development Follows Shift.

At some point the facts are the facts and one has to wonder.   As early as 2009 Portland was admitting that The creative class = no growth in jobs. 

Another blogger has comments on the actual drivers which seem to remain education not "creative"Creative Class Economics.

WW has made its own take on the jobs picture after a local consulting firm reported that the creative class economic development model was a failure  Future of Jobs in Portland.

Residents have to wonder how this all plays into the Foothills Development project,  the Streetcar, and all the millions in taxpayer funds spent on these projects over the past few years.  

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.