The location of information technology-led new economy jobs in cities: office parks or cool neighbourhoods?

A growing literature suggests that central city neighbourhoods have become the focus of the information technology-driven new economy (IT-NE). Much of the evidence is based on case studies with a strong overlap with so-called ‘creative districts’. This paper examines the location of IT-NE jobs and its determinants for Canada’s three largest metropolises: Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. IT-NE employment is spatially polarized in all three cities with a dual concentration in some suburban poles and central neighbourhoods. Econometric results suggest that ‘creative’ district attributes, although significant, are not the strongest predictors of location. Built environment, infrastructure and localization economies variables are also powerful predictors.