Seeking Talent for Creative Cities

"Written by the creme de la creme of Canadian economic and urban geography, Seeking Talent for Creative Cities presents the results of cutting-edge research on the relationship between creativity and cities within the Canadian context. Based on thorough and original research, the volume contains a wealth of information on how Canadian cities cope with the shift to an economy based on innovation." -- Robert C. Kloosterman, Professor of Economic Geography and Planning, University of Amsterdam "A strong contribution to the literature, Seeking Talent for Creative Cities provides much-needed solid empirical data, both qualitative and quantitative, in a field that is otherwise lacking in empirical evidence." -- Henrik Mattsson, Senior Consultant, SWECO Group

Seeking Talent for Creative Cities represents a rigorously empirical test of popular wisdom on the true relationship between urban development and economic competitiveness.

With the growth of knowledge-based economies, cities across the globe must compete to attract and retain the most talented workers. Seeking Talent for Creative Cities offers a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the diverse, dynamic factors that affect cities’ ability to achieve this goal.

Based on a comparative national study of 16 Canadian cities, this volume systematically evaluates the concerns facing workers operating in a range of creative endeavours. It draws on interviews, surveys, and census data collected over a six-year research program conducted by experts in business, public policy, urban studies, and communications studies to identify the characteristics and features of particular city-regions that influence these workers’ mobility and satisfaction. Seeking Talent for Creative Cities represents a rigorously empirical test of popular wisdom on the true relationship between urban development and economic competitiveness.