World Cities
Examine the role of world cities and their operation in global networks.
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Introduction
A world city is a large city that has outstripped its national urban network and has become part of an international global system. They have become powerful nodal points for the multiplicity of linkages, and interconnections that sustain the contemporary world economies, social and political systems. The result is a new world system of cities acting as ‘organising nodes’. In other words, they link regional, national, and international economies into the global economy, and this assists their main role as powerful centres of economic and cultural authority. These world cities are dominated by TNC’s which are part of an international global system, and these corporations select regional cities as strategic centres from which to extend their influence within the global economy. The growth of world cities is facilitated by increasing telecommunication networks and improvements in technology, and the links of air transport between world cities.
Hierarchical system
There are 3 tiers of hierarchy in the dominance of world cities; dominant, major, and secondary. Dominant world cities are the control and command centres of the global community and exercise most power over the global economy. One example of this is London, which is the headquarters of many IGOs and NGOs, and has 75% of 500 of the biggest companies in the world’s offices located in London. Major world cities link large national economies into the global system or important multinational roles, and one example of this is Sydney. Sydney has hosted major national sporting events, like the Summer Olympics in 2000. Secondary world cities bring important regional economies into the global system. One example being Hong Kong, which is one of the world’s leading international financial centres, characterised by low taxation and free trade. *
___________________________________________________________________________
Introduction
A world city is a large city that has outstripped its national urban network and has become part of an international global system. They have become powerful nodal points for the multiplicity of linkages, and interconnections that sustain the contemporary world economies, social and political systems. The result is a new world system of cities acting as ‘organising nodes’. In other words, they link regional, national, and international economies into the global economy, and this assists their main role as powerful centres of economic and cultural authority. These world cities are dominated by TNC’s which are part of an international global system, and these corporations select regional cities as strategic centres from which to extend their influence within the global economy. The growth of world cities is facilitated by increasing telecommunication networks and improvements in technology, and the links of air transport between world cities.
Hierarchical system
There are 3 tiers of hierarchy in the dominance of world cities; dominant, major, and secondary. Dominant world cities are the control and command centres of the global community and exercise most power over the global economy. One example of this is London, which is the headquarters of many IGOs and NGOs, and has 75% of 500 of the biggest companies in the world’s offices located in London. Major world cities link large national economies into the global system or important multinational roles, and one example of this is Sydney. Sydney has hosted major national sporting events, like the Summer Olympics in 2000. Secondary world cities bring important regional economies into the global system. One example being Hong Kong, which is one of the world’s leading international financial centres, characterised by low taxation and free trade. *