Richard Florida’s theoretical framework and conceptualization of urban development has had a tremendous influence on the policies and practices of revitilization and gentrification in Scranton. The problem , however, is that Flordia’s work has been blatantly misrepresented by the Irish Catholic Network. I’ve noticed that many people in the ICN cite Florida’s work to justify Doherty's policies. Perhaps the only way to get through to someone from the ICN is to use Richard Florida’s language and concepts. And what better way to resist Doherty’s development project than to point out a few [of the many] inconsistencies between Flordia’s theory and Doherty’s project?
In a nutshell, Florida argues that HUMAN creativity is the source of value (much like labor theory of value of Marx). Further, he argues that cities are the site of creativity and in order to compete with other cities in terms of development and growth cities [such as Scranton] must attract/foster/encourage creative people. Creative people, in other words, create economic growth.
Yet Doherty’s spending and the KOZ of everything is a problem for Florida . He says "The Creative Centers are not thriving for such traditional economic reasons as access to natural resources or transportation routes. NOR ARE THEY THRIVING BECAUSE THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAVE GONE BANKRUPT GIVING TAX BREAKS AND OTHER INCENTIVES TO LURE BUSINESSES.” He continues by saying that “[Creative centers] are succeeding largely because creative people want to live there.” (p.35).
Doherty has done little or nothing to attract ‘creative people.’ Doherty is trying to lure people into expensive loft rents (and lets see how that works out for him) and he has ‘cleaned up’ the downtown so white middle to upper class shoppers can feel safe and not feel threatened by the encroachment of poor or black from areas outside the central business district.
What does it take to attract creative people and/or spur creativity? Well, Florida says creative people have an affinity for places that are INNOVATIVE, DIVERSE and TOLERANT. For Florida, people search for PLACE, not necesserily employment. The problem, of course, is that Scranton is not innovative, diverse or tolerant. And despite the image and marketing campaign of 'restoring the pride,' Scranton is still not a 'place' that attracts the so-called creative class.
The biggest problem preventing the creative class from flocking here and revolutionizing Scranton is that “creative communities and social capital communities are moving in opposite directions. Creative communities are centers of diversity, innovation, and economic growth; social capital communities are not” (p.43 in Cities and the Creative Class). Scranton is city dominated by a dense social network (I’d go so far and say that it is a quasi-apartheid). Social capital, in short, means NETWORK. The more social capital you have, the more integrated you are and thus the more resources you have access to. Tight, integrated networks EXCLUDE creative people much more than they include and this thus creates obstacles for creative people. The so-called creative class have a very difficult time spurring economic development when gatekeepers from the ICN undermine any ‘creativity’ that is in anyway unbeneficial or anti Irish Catholic Network. Creative upstarts have problems getting the necessary resources needed to start up (when such resources are already pre-designated to insiders). How could Scranton possibly ‘move forward’ when social capital (as opposed to creativity, technology and tolerance) is the driving force behind development? Further, 'creative people' prefer a context in which loose associations exist ( unlike the SSD board since they are related and/or neighbors) and rewards are based on merit (as opposed to last name).
Still not convinced that an Irish Catholic Network exists? Ask Trish Corbett about the Irish Catholic Network in Minooka. She is in it. Or just watch her brag about the Irish Catholic Network on Munley’s ‘meet the judges’ show (Heck, even the shows on 61 are given to the Irish). Or just go to the beer tent at St. Joe's picnic. Everyone looks alike.
Tolerance is also a key issue in attracting creative people: The police and justice system, city administration and local capital only tolerate people parallel their purchasing power. In other words, tolerance is market driven. For Florida, Tolerance means “openness, inclusiveness, and diversity to all ethnicities, races and walks of life.” The Irish Catholic Network in Scranton, however, only includes people that are Irish, Catholic and Networked.
There are many other inconsistencies between Florida’s theory and Doherty’s practice. Just pick up a copy of the ‘Rise of the Creative Class’ [or just read the shorter “Cities and the creative class” because it sums up everything in a much more condense and updated version]. Granted, Florida had problems of his own…..so he certainly doesn’t need Doherty misrepresenting his work
