What do diamonds and fashion rings have to do with city planning?

If you haven’t heard of Richard Florida’s book “The Rise of the Creative Class,” the basic premise is that cities that can attract artists, jewelers, and other types of creative people end up becoming major centers of culture. This, in turn, spurs economic growth and wealth. This seems to be true like in places like Antwerp, Belgium, where creative folk fashion diamonds and fashion rings for the elite buyers. It is considered one of the world’s most creative cities. While, at first, it doesn’t appear to have a connection to wealth within a city, Florida’s best-selling book makes a strong case for not only seeking out these types of industries, but also patronizing and supporting local artists within urban design plans.This book explains how the creative class is not just responsible for innovations in art and fashion, but they contribute greatly to the success and innovation of a city’s cultural climate. A city with a great many creative boutiques can attract wealth simply through the excitement of art and fashion. This applies to individual jewelers who create gorgeous jewelry with diamonds as much as it does to the fashion boutiques that promote and sell fashion rings and luxury wear.

As we begin to appreciate the value of the creative class and support their endeavors, there can be a renaissance of creative thinking, free expression, and ultimately cultural tolerance within the society. This may not be what comes to mind when you are out buying your first diamond ring or deciding on what designer outfit to purchase, but it is all part of the same package. By supporting the boutiques of fashion and jewelry, one is making an investment in a city’s future ability to attract more of the creative class and thus, helping to promote future economic growth.