Home from home? Locational choices of international 'creative class' workers

Brown, Julie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6358-8022 2015. Home from home? Locational choices of international 'creative class' workers. European Planning Studies 23 (12) , pp. 2336-2355. 10.1080/09654313.2014.988012

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Abstract

This paper focuses on the international migration dynamics of the highly skilled “creative class”. To date, little research has been undertaken to provide an in-depth understanding of the underlying reasons behind the movements of these workers. By providing a micro-level, qualitative analysis of the motivations, experiences and migration trajectories of a sub-group of these workers, namely “creative Bohemians”, this paper offers a perspective that is currently lacking in the literature. These individuals are considered to be particularly attracted by diverse and open urban milieus, as well as being instrumental in creating the type of urban environment that attracts other members of the “creative class”. Birmingham, UK, was chosen as an example of a European city emulating “creative city” policies and being potentially well-placed to attract international talent due to its culturally diverse population and reputation for “tolerance”. Findings call for a more nuanced understanding of the factors associated with both the attraction and retention of international talent, as it is clear that migration decisions depend on factors other than simply “quality of place” or diversity and tolerance. Policies focusing on subjective concepts of place attractiveness are thus unlikely to be successful. Instead, cities need carefully targeted policies that address their particular socio-economic and physical realities.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Journalism, Media and Culture
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
ISSN:	0965-4313
Funders:	EU FP6
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	28 June 2018
Date of Acceptance:	2 June 2014
Last Modified:	11 Nov 2023 05:20
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/106874

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