Purpose This paper aims to explore in how far policy makers can create a ‘creative city’, that is a urban environment capable of generating creativity, innovation and thus economic growth. Methodology/Approach The paper is set up as an interview with Richard Florida and his mentor Jane Jacobs, two of today’s most famous specialists on creative cities. Findings The main conclusion from the double interview is that a creative city cannot be built from scratch. However, both Florida and Jacobs argue that it is still possible to build for the creative city. Research limitations/implications The paper documents the viewpoints of only two urban specialists whose original views, however, have influenced and will influence the debate on creative cities. Practical applications The interviewees in this paper offer illuminating insights and practical clues for policy makers wanting to contribute to the development of a creative city Orginality/value This is the first paper documenting an double interview with Florida and Jacobs and shows the complementarity of the views of both urban specialists when it comes to creative cities.