Creative class

Proposed socioeconomic class The creative class is a socioeconomic class concept proposed by American urban studies theorist Richard Florida. Florida, a professor and head of the Martin Prosperity Institute at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, argues that the creative class is a key driving force for the economic development of post-industrial cities in North America. Overview Florida describes the creative class as comprising 40 million workers (about 30 percent of the U.S. workforce). He breaks the class into two broad sections, derived from Standard Occupational Classification System codes: Super-creative core: This group comprises about 12 percent of all U.S. jobs. It includes a wide range of occupations (e.g. science, engineering, education, computer programming, research), with arts, design, and media workers forming a small subset. Florida considers those belonging to this group to "fully engage in the creative process" (2002, p. 69). The Super-Creative Core is considered innovative, creating commercial products and consumer goods. The primary job function of its members is to be creative and innovative. "Along with problem solving, their work may