The assumption underlying the whole article: property values rise because a neighborhood is "cool" and appealing, because artists live there. (And then artists must leave because they can't afford rent.) There is data showing that's true, but I don't think there's any general consensus yet. (So more people can understand what the article is talking about.) Rising property values, the cool factor, the vibe, beautiful people, whatever you want to call the thing that attracts people to an artsy area. I called it "quality of life" but yes an abstract concept, I was deliberately vague because that's hard to define. I think people do care, which is why they spend good money to move to these neighborhoods. Also the artists care because they want credit for what they helped create.