“It is not just the prevalence of university graduates in a city that has a defining impact on the growth in employment, but their mix as well,” says the new StatsCan cities and growth report: Scientists and Engineers and Urban Growth (January 8, 2008). The study used census data for 242 Canadian and U.S. metropolitan areas to evaluate changes in urban employment from 1980 to 2000. The analysis focused on large and medium-sized cities — all metropolitan areas in Canada and the United States with populations over 100,000.
The report found that the effectiveness of urban populations of university-degree holders in promoting economic growth was enhanced with higher percentages of scientists and engineers in the mix.
“Scientists and engineers are often seen to play a catalytic role regarding employment growth in cities,” StatsCan reported. A critical ingredient in that process, however, is the presence of large and diverse pools of university-educated workers. The research report’s urban growth model reveals positive interactions between science and engineering employment and a larger cross-section of employed degree holders located in cities. The report suggests that this latter group may be the primary mechanism through which scientists and engineers contribute to the growth process.
As a national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics located in Vancouver, TRIUMF maintains a scientific and engineering staff of more than 300. These workers reside in the greater Vancouver area and their collective talent helps attract many visitors from across the nation and around the world. Conversely, the StatsCan report also notes the important role that the amenities of a city can play in attracting scientific talent and thereby enhancing urban growth. As one of the top 10 cities in which people want to live, Vancouver helps attract people to TRIUMF.
For more on the study, see the StatsCan press release for more information; or download a free copy of the report from Statistics Canada.