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introduction to global cities

Introduction to Global Cities

A global city is one that has a direct and tangible effect on global affairs through socioeconomic , cultural , and /or political means (Wikipedia , 2006 . For a city to go global , it has to outstrip the level of development of other cities in the nation and attain global significance . The making of a global city is associated with high costs Over the long term , however , this strategy of development has numerous advantages compared to other possible options

A global , or world city , will be at the forefront of globalization

being adequately positioned to enjoy its benefits . Because of their important position , they become concentrations of political power centers of world trade and communications , leaders in banking and finance (Curtis , 1999 . Their prominence and fame help them attract numerous stage events , festivals , other entertainment venues and sporting events . Tourists also flood global cities because of their importance and plenty of opportunities for sight seeing . All these activities enable global cities to derive economic benefit and promote the development of infrastructure

This is why among typical features of a global city are a major international airport (for example , London Heathrow Airport ) that serves as an established hub for several international airlines ' and an advanced transportation system that includes several freeways and /or a large mass transit network offering multiple modes of transportation (Wikipedia , 2006 . Inevitably , within a global city a system of international hotels and other types of accommodation will develop to support business travel and tourism . Communication systems including Wi-Fi networks , fiberoptics , and cell phone services are an inalienable feature of the global city 's life

Global cities are able to benefit from serving as a seat to major international organizations and business institutions . For example , New York is seat to the United Nations ' headquarters , and its Wall Street section is home to a host of internationally recognized financial institutions . Global cities will also host large stock exchanges that make them centers of economic activity . Going global will make the city a hub of business and political activity throughout the region . Most ambitious individuals will move there to look for better career prospects , international venues will concentrate there , and a lot of corporate decision-making will also take place there . It is this role in decision-making that will also assist global cities in sharing a larger part of resources than other settlements in the area . Accumulation of economic and political power within these cities will help their residents increase their scope of opportunities

World cities tend to rise to the top of the world hierarchy , rapidly increasing their dominance over others . In contrast , less prominent urban centers are bound to global cities by relationships of dependence that indicate their reliance on global cities . This control over less powerful cities also gives global cities opportunities for development The dependent places will rely on their global neighbors for sale of their goods and services , access to goods and services they need information , employment opportunities , etc (Curtis , 1999 . In this way global...

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