Creative Industries and the Urban Environment (2017-2018)

The term creative or cultural industries refers to industries that combine the creation, production and commercialization of creative contents that are intangible and cultural in nature. Over the past ten years, Durham has witnessed a boom in a number of key cultural initiatives including the Durham Performing Arts Center and Golden Belt, among others. These have not only enriched the city’s image but have also attracted other creative ventures, and are often seen as triggers for the local economy.

This Bass Connections project examined the relationship between urban development and cultural production in specific contemporary and historical contexts, then zoomed in to focus on Durham. Team members collected and analyzed data on the economic impact of the so-called creative class, as defined by urbanist Richard Florida. Digging into housing values, labor economics, the impact of Spanish-speaking communities, the role of tolerance and diversity in economic development and other topics, they produced five working papers that are being compiled into a published volume of articles. To share findings with the community, they have begun planning a local exhibition in partnership with Durham city government.

Timing

Fall 2017 – Spring 2018

Team Outputs

Housing Values and the Creative Class: Economic Effects in Durham, N.C. (manuscript by Felipe Alvarez de Toledo)

Durham’s Creative Economy: Mapping the Arts, Creative Industries and the Creative Class in a Time of Rapid Urban Growth (manuscript by Laura Ritchie and Gentry Fitch)

Dollars in Durham: A First Glance at the Labor Economics of the Creative Class in Durham from 2005-2016 (manuscript by Jonathan Chapman and Jessica Chen)

Creative Industries and the Urban Environment (talk at Bass Connections Showcase by Jonathan Chapman and Laura Ritchie, April 18, 2018)

Creative Industries and the Urban Environment (poster by Jonathan Chapman, Jess Chen, Laura Ritchie, Gentry Fitch, Tatiana Ermakova), presented at Bass Connections Showcase, April 18, 2018

Creative Industries and the Urban Environment (poster by Laura Ritchie, Gentry Fitch, Felipe Alvarez de Toledo, Ben Ayto, Dan Lilienthal, Mariana Frattaroli), presented at Bass Connections Showcase, April 18, 2018