Sustainable Urban Form and the Creative Class: Insights from Southern California

Abstract

This research examines the extent to which the presence of the creative class (CC) is associated with the promotion of sustainability, particularly as reflected in development regulations adopted by cities in Southern California. Conducted in two phases, this study employed a mixed-methods approach. Considerable variation was found in the promotion of sustainability among cities. Generally, cities with a higher proportion of the CC integrated Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design at the neighborhood level sustainability principles to a greater extent; however, not all cities with a higher proportion of the CC addressed more sustainability principles and to a stronger extent than those with a lower proportion.