I would argue that, for better or worse, Marfa, TX in West Texas is a real manifestation of this essay. It's only a town of about 5000, completely walkable, and homes that were selling for $20k before news got out that it was a secret artist enclave just 10 years ago are now going for north of $1 million (even more eye popping when the median single family home price in the most expensive metro areas of the state, Austin and Dallas, are around $500k). Outside the town is farmland and oil fields. Inside the town is a collection of bars, restaurants, hotels, museums, and high art, all from a once-dying/repurposed small town on a defunct train line.
"A desirable place to live / visit" is its own economic engine. See (also mentioned in that article) Seaside, Florida.
"A desirable place to live / visit" is its own economic engine. See (also mentioned in that article) Seaside, Florida.
https://www.themanual.com/culture/marfa-texas/
https://www.npr.org/2012/08/02/156980469/marfa-texas-an-unli...