City class

My class on City is coming to an end this week. It forces me hard to think about the following questions raised by the urban studies theorist Richard Florida (Who's your city? : how the creative economy is making where to live the most important decision of your life (Toronto: Vintage Canada, 2009)):

1. How do you like the place you're living now? Is it somewhere you really want to be? Does it give your energy? When you walk out onto the street - or the country lane - in the morning, does it fill you with inspiration, or stress? Does it allow you to be the person you really want to be? Are you achieving your personal goals? Is it a place you would recommend to your relatives and friends?
2. Have you thought about moving? If so, what are the top three places on your radar screen? What do you like about them? Specifically, what do you think they offer your? How would your life be different in these places?
3. Have you ever sat down and compared where you're living now to those places? Honestly, have you given this a fraction of the thought and energy you've given to your job and career prospects, or if you're single, to your dating life? (p. 9)

He gives three key ideas about choosing the ideal cities:

1. Despite all the hpye over globalization and the "flt world," place is actually more important to the global economy than ever before. (couldn't agree more)
2. Places are growing more diverse and specialized - from their economic makeup and job market to the quality of life they provide and the kinds of people that live in them.
3. We live in a highly mobile society, giving most of us more say over where we live. (p. 13)

Will you be living in Hong Kong in 2020? Will I? Perhaps. 


All the best to you all.