Bantoc, Karen AB Literature - A1

Marangan, Hanna May AS133 / GEC-TCW

Tanucan, Euryl Christy

GLOBAL CITY
Attributes:

 International, first-name familiarity; whereby a city is recognised without the need for a political
subdivision. For example. although there are numerous cities and other political entities with
the name Paris or variations on it, one would say "Paris", not "Paris, France".
 Active influence and participation in international events and world affairs; for example, New
York City is home to the United Nations headquarters complex and consequently contains a vast
majority of the permanent missions to the UN.
 A fairly large population (the centre of a metropolitan area with a population of at least one
million, typically several million).
 A major international airport (for example, London Heathrow Airport) that serves as an
established hub for several international airlines.
 An advanced transportation system that includes several freeways and/or a large mass transit
network offering multiple modes of transportation ( rapid transit, light rail, regional rail, ferry, or
bus).
 In the West, several international cultures and communities (such as a Chinatown, a Little Italy,
or other immigrant communities). In other parts of the world, cities which attract large foreign
businesses and related expatriate communities; for example, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong,
Tokyo, and Moscow.
 International financial institutions, law firms, corporate headquarters (especially
conglomerates), and stock exchanges (for example the London Stock Exchange, the New York
Stock Exchange or the Tokyo Stock Exchange) that have influence over the world economy.
 An advanced communications infrastructure on which modern trans-national corporations rely,
such as fiberoptics, Wi-Fi networks, cellular phone services, and other high-speed lines of
communications.
 World-renowned cultural institutions, such as museums and universities.
 A lively cultural scene, including film festivals (for example the Toronto International Film
Festival), premieres, a thriving music or theatre scene (for example, West End theatre and
Broadway); an orchestra, an opera company, art galleries, and street performers.
 Several powerful and influential media outlets with an international reach, such as the BBC,
Associated Press, Reuters, The New York Times, The Times, or Agence France-Presse.
 A strong sporting community, including major sports facilities, home teams in major league
sports, and the ability and historical experience to host international sporting events such as the
Olympic Games, Football World Cup, or Grand Slam
Global cities as engines of globalization:

 Globalization allows us to pool all our resources together.

 Globalization improves communication access using techonology.
 More business opportunities.
 Globalization could create more employment opportunities.
 Learning each other's culture. tennis events.

Advantages of a Global City

 Increased free trade and communication between nations.

 Increased access to technology, media, education, healthcare, consumer goods, and other
resources.

Disadvantages of a Global city

 Exploitation of developing countries.

 Cultural homogenization
 Adverse effects on local economies and environment.
 Pollution
 Smog
 Over population
 Slums/ housing problems
 Poverty

Criticisms of global cities:

 Despite playing significant roles in the global economy, global city thesis has been known for
being a threat to state-centric perspectives. These cities have been accused of focusing their
reach to other global cities and neglecting cities within the national outreach. These cities are
more connected to the outside world than to their domestic economy.