Describe and account for the nature, character and spatial distribution of world cities PDF

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Describe and account for the nature, character and spatial distribution of world cities World cities are large cities that have outstripped their national urban network and become part of the international global system. The United Nations state that more than half the world’s population lives in urban centres, 54% in 2014. There are currently 249 world cities classified by the Globalisation and World Cities, which classify cities according to their connectivity based on factors such as business, technology and lifestyle. These act as organising nodes to link national, regional and international economies into the global economy. Through a detailed description, the nature, character and spatial distribution of world cities will be identified. Globalisation is the breakdown of barriers between countries and the development of stronger links between countries. World cities are the products of the processes of economic and cultural globalisation and urbanisation to a lesser extent. Many world cities have undergone the globalisation process through specialising in finance, professional and business services or through media and communication industries. The emergence of word cities initiated during the late 1960s through the globalisation process driven by technological developments in transport and communication, trade liberalisation, the deregulation of financial markets, the emergence of Transnational Corporations (TNCs) and the emergence of a global market for lifestyle-related commodities. Developments led to the rapid expansion in world trade and labour-intensive manufacturing processes typical to the ‘old economy’ were relocated to developing countries where the cost of labour is cheaper. World cities are now the transnational forces that drive the global economy and the cultural homogenisation associated with globalisation creates cities with tightly linked networks of people, transport, ideas and capital. They act as the command and control centres of the global economy. TNCs generally have their headquarters in the heart of world cities such as the ‘The City’ in London and La Défense in Paris, Europe’s largest dedicated business district. The emergence of the ‘New Economy’ that is based upon information (tertiary sector) as opposed to primary or secondary sectors, has allowed the growth of world cities. For instance, in Sydney employment growth has been concentrated in ‘knowledge hubs’ such as Sydney’s CBD (financial and professional services), Ultimo/Pyrmont (creative digital technology) and Macquarie Park (medical technology). World cities heavily engage in the ‘New Economy’ as these cities gain transnational power as global corporations have shifted from manufacturing to the export of ideas and services and with the technological development, this process has driven the global network. Thus, world cities have emerged due to the processes of globalisation and have created the ‘New Economy’ to become the command and control centres of the world. World cities have a duel character as centres of economic and cultural authority. They have showcased the new international division of labour, featuring the shift from blue collar workers to white collar workers with the creation of the ‘New Economy’ and its focus on finance and managerial employment. World cities are nodal points for the multiple linkages and interconnections that sustain the world’s economy. Economic authority include of world cities’ ability to generate, communicate and disseminate knowledge relating to economic strategies. A prime example is the existence of an influential stock exchange such as Sydney’s ASX which is among the top 5 largest stock exchanges and New York with the 2 largest stock exchanges. World cities also house the regional headquarters of TNCs and NGOs, for instance, United Nations in New York City and Amenity International in London, also Tokyo remains the leader in terms of TNCs with 80. They also contain extensive transport systems that connect them locally, nationally and globally. For instance, London is home to 6 airports enhancing the flows of capital, information and people and increasing interconnectivity. World cities have the ability to generate and spread ideas and values and influence cultural processes. They are sites of prestigious and distinctive lifestyles which are supported by

outstanding educational, research and medical facilities such as New York, home to 120 higher education institutions and a large number of research facilities. Being sites of distinctive lifestyles, world cities have world heritage sites such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Paris is also home to The Louvre, the most visited art museum and 130 more museums and is one of the world’s greatest sporting capitals with various sporting events such as the Tour de France and the French Open. This has resulted in Paris being the most visited tourist destination in the world. Furthermore, world cities are centres for a range of cultural facilities and entertainment, for instance, Sydney’s Mardi gras. Thus, the unique characteristics of world cities sustain the economic and cultural integration of the world. There are various spatial patterns that can be observed in the distribution of world cities. World cities are only found in the developed world and are often located near major waterways as in the past, it allowed them to facilitate trade and act as a water supply. For instance, the Yangtze river near Shanghai and the Parramatta river near Sydney. Most world cities are located in the Northern Hemisphere where the Industrial Revolution started as it allowed many European countries to develop their economy before many Southern Hemisphere countries and as it is where most of the landmass exists. The process of globalisation also led to the development of many countries resulting in world cities residing in every inhabited continent. However, Johannesburg is the only world city located in Africa, reflecting the continent’s marginalisation within the world economic system. There are three concentrations of world cities, located in Western Europe, North America and Asia. For example, London and Paris in Europe, Tokyo and Seoul in Asia and New York and Los Angeles in North America. World cities tend to be located away from the equator as it causes harsh climates and a likelihood of disease. Although spatially dispersed, world cities are globally integrated through systems of exchange and production. Thus, world cities are powerful centres of global significance and have emerged from the processes of globalisation. They exhibit high levels of economic and cultural authority over other cities and are spatially dispersed, yet globally integrated through increasing interconnections. World cities are unique due to their nature, character and spatial distribution. Word count: 1039...