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PDFOpen Access (License Unspecified), Open Access
Thesis
Florida in the Lehigh Valley
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
2011
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/0ewn-tf71
Abstract
In the book, Rise of the Creative Class, economist Richard Florida discusses his theory of an emerging social class in America which he titles the 'Creative Class.' He arrived at this theory after noticing that younger generations of workers were no longer following companies to cities in search of jobs but rather moving to cities that could offer them lifestyle options and interests, freedom, acceptance and creativity. To these job seekers, the job offerings had become secondary ' and this trend seemed to have a corresponding positive impact on that city's economic growth as it then tended to attract the best, brightest and biggest employers. According to Florida, the larger the pool of members of the Creative Class, the higher the rates of growth in innovation and technology businesses, as well as increased employment opportunities. In order to successfully attract these individuals, cities had to have all three of his creative characteristics: technology, talent and tolerance. Not an uncommon thread in economic theories, the arts play a huge role in Florida's theory. Cities across the nation, and the world, quickly began to develop manifestos on how to turn their struggling regions in hubs of creativity, culture and power. As an arts-based fundraising professional working in the third-most populated region in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I am very interested in Florida's theory as it relates to the Lehigh Valley. The purpose of this paper is to examine the key characteristics of the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton (which comprises the Lehigh Valley) and how they relate to Florida's creative characteristics of technology, talent and tolerance.
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Details
- Title
- Florida in the Lehigh Valley
- Creators
- Rhonda K. Mauk - DU
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Arts Administration; Arts and Entertainment Enterprise; Drexel University; Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
- Other Identifier
- 6259; 991014632185304721