The Caravan of Dreams -
Blog - June 15, 2007
Musings on "Opportunity
Urbanism"
By Steve-O
love Fort Worth. I am passionate about this city and I probably tend to
overthink it. However, I really believe that the city is on the precipice of
a significant change, but most people don't seem aware of it or don't want
to talk about it.
The Trinity River Vision and Trinity Uptown, the new TCC campus downtown,
Museum Place and on and on. We're in the middle of a building boom. But is
this good for Fort Worth and will it change the character of the city?
To help wrestle with these questions, I want to refer to this long and
wonky paper about "opportunity urbanism" by Joel Kotkin that I found. The
concept of “opportunity urbanism” is that a region’s ability to create jobs,
offer affordable housing, and present entrepreneurial openings to a growing
and highly diverse population are the surest signs of urban vibrancy.
Kotkin makes an interesting argument. “Superstar cities” like New York
and San Francisco have become too expensive for middle class people and in
the future will cater largely to the upper classes and to those who serve
them. Instead, the model for America's future are the so-called "opportunity
cities” like Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin, Charlotte, Atlanta and Phoenix.
Why?
It's all about the “creative class.” Skilled workers are the brass ring
and you get them with urban amenities, social attitudes, and cultural
offerings. The emphasis here is on the so-called “war for talent.” Cities
that win this battle, Kotkin says, will emerge as the avant-garde in
technology, culture, and the expanding global economy.
Sez Kotkin: "These cities are also showing marked gains in attracting
high-wage employers and educated migrants, including members of the
ballyhooed creative class. These are, of course, the very jobs and workers
that are widely thought to be concentrating in more elite places." Yeah,
hipsters love all the cool stuff that a New York has to offer, but people
are now even being priced out of Brooklyn. As he points out to put it in
perspective, $42,000 a year in salary in Houston buys you what $100,000 a
year will get you in NYC.
Because of this widening differences in housing and other costs, there
has been a decisive demographic tilt towards cities like Fort Worth.
Increasingly, this shift has included a movement of large corporate
headquarters and of higher-end jobs to these opportunity cities. Firms that
need to compete globally generally expand in business-friendly places that
possess decent infrastructure and amenities, and that can accommodate a
broad range of employees.
I'm just happy Fort Worth is even in the mix. People often say, "Fort
Worth is a great place to raise a family." That's sort of a backhanded
compliment. What's left unsaid is it's not exactly Coolsville. Can Fort
Worth loosen up a little? Pete at Cowtown Chronicles was musing along these
lines the other day. Basically, is Fort Worth too square to be a player with
the creative class? I don't think we're there yet, but I think we're moving
in that direction.
Kotkin also talks about what USA Today recently called the “Be Hip and
They May Come” approach. He says this has exerted a strong influence on
economic developers. "Often, this has taken the form of promoting the growth
of arts districts, entertainment centers, and condominium housing—all
believed to be critical in making a city more attractive to the 'creative
class.'” We're loading up on museums and condos here in Cowtown, but there's
more to it than that. There's an attitude shift needed. Fort Worth will have
to do what George Mason University professor Richard Florida calls taking
the guy with the tattoos seriously. Are we there yet? Uh, no. But we are
working on it? Case in point, Todd Camp told my wife that Fort Worth's Gay
and Lesbian Film Festival just had one of its best years ever. People were
walking up to him and handing him checks. Progress? Yeah, a little.
Kotkin lays out some basic things that opportunity cities need to
flourish. How are we doing?
- A good educational system: There's room for improvement, but
I'm generally bullish on Fort Worth public schools. For those so
inclined, there are a mess of good private schools. But don't give up on
public schools. It takes a village, people.
- An educated and skilled workforce: I think we need more of
these people. But so does everyone else. That's what's at stake. The
creative class.
- Affordable housing: I think Fort Worth is a very affordable
housing market compared to anywhere, even Dallas and Austin.
- Parks: I love Trinity Park and the Trinity Trails, but it's
not enough. Besides, it wasn't that long ago that Mayor Mikey wanted to
run the Southwest Expressway though Trinity Park.
- Recreation opportunities: There's a lot of great stuff going
on around here, but we're not in danger with being confused with Austin
anytime soon.
- Good transportation: Whither light rail? As Kotkin sez:
"Physical mobility, as well as the class mobility stressed earlier,
constitutes a critical factor in overall growth and as a means to expand
individual opportunity."
- Access to high-speed communications: Whither city-wide wi-fi?
- Visionary leadership that recognizes what it takes to sustain
economic growth: I think that we (Mayor Mikey, City Council, the Basses,
etc.) get good marks on this. I don't agree with everything the poobahs
do around here, but just look at the trainwreck that is Dallas city
government to see how bad things could be.
- A community spirit for getting things done: I think that is
the heart of what makes Fort Worth great. Basically, we're resourceful,
we have moxie and we kick ass.
So, let me ask the question again: is this development good for Fort
Worth? If you believe Kotkin's thesis, yes it is. If we want to be an
opportunity city, we need to continue to grow. "It is crucial that cities
identify their priorities," Kotkin sez. "We agree that arts, culture, style,
and impressive architecture can all reflect a city’s greatness. But we think
history shows that great cultural centers — from Athens to New York City —
must first work as economic engines for entrepreneurial ventures and for
ordinary citizens."
And if building that engine means a Trinity River Vision, a Museum Place
and a Vespa store, then OK. Maybe that makes me yuppie scum, but, you know,
I think this is good for Fort Worth. There are things I miss about the old
Fort Worth, the way it used to be. But I think we have a chance to see Fort
Worth really flourish right now. I want to see that. But I also want to see
us ask hard questions about whether we're doing this the right way.
Will this change the character of Fort Worth? Certainly it will. I'm just
optimistic that those things we like about people in Fort Worth — that spark
that puts the funk in Funkytown — I'm optimistic that won't change.
Maybe it's the Lone Star. Or the Zoloft. Or maybe you just caught me on a
good day. But there you have it.
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