One Size Fits All? Applying the Creative Class Thesis onto a Nordic Context

Residential preferences of the ‘creative class’?

“…Previous research on locational preferences has questioned Florida's assumptions in comparing the attraction of the 'creative class' to specific regions or city-regions (Houston et al, 2008;Niedomysl and Hansen, 2010;Hansen and Niedomysl, 2009;Andersen et al, 2010). In focusing on the residential preferences of the 'creative class', our results highlight the residential preferences of that group are similar to the choice characteristics of the general population.…”

“…In recent years, a number of authors have examined the attraction of particular countries, regions and city-regions for the 'creative class' (Houston et al, 2008;Niedomysl and Hansen, 2010;Hansen and Niedomysl, 2009;Andersen et al, 2010). Such an analysis is based on the assumption within Floridas' thesis that the 'creative class' are highly mobile and attracted to specific regions based predominantly upon the soft amenity-based preferences outlined in the foregoing analysis.…”

“…For example, drawing on the example of Sweden, Niedomysl and Hansen (2010) highlight the continued importance of the availability of employment and affordable housing in selecting a region amongst migrants. Furthermore, drawing upon data from capital city regions, regional centres and semi-peripheral cities in the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, Andersen et al (2010) analysed both push and pull factors in terms of attracting the 'creative class'. Pointedly, in analysing the factors that detract from capital city regions, the authors found that "a common problem is that adequate housing at reasonable prices and in reasonable distance from the work place is not available" (Andersen, 2010(Andersen, , p.1600.…”

“…Most of these have been predominantly focused upon the factors attracting workers at the scale of the region, city region (Niedomyl and Hansen, 2010;Andersen et al, 2010), or nation (Houston et al, 2008). There has, however, been little examination of the preferences for particular parts of a city-region amongst the 'creative class', whether that be the city centre, the city outskirts or the periphery.…”

Creative class vs. individual creativity: a multi-level approach to the geography of creativity

“…Furthermore, results point to the importance of social ties to family and friends being relevant for location choice (cf. Andersen, Bugge, et al, 2010;Lawton et al, 2013). Lawton et al (2013) conclude "Yet, no discernible pattern could be found in our results that might differentiate the residential preferences of the 'creative class' from those outlined in the existing body of literature on the general population."…”