Global city

:For a city spanning an entire planet, see Ecumenopolis

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A global city (also known as a world city or world-class city) is a city which has a direct and tangible impact on global affairs through socioeconomic, cultural, and/or political means. In recent years, the term has become increasingly familiar, due to the rise of globalization (i.e. global finance, worldwide communications and travel). Though defining a global city must be partially subjective, these cities are generally seen as meeting most of the following criteria:

Related Topics:
City - Globalization - Finance

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• International familiarity (or 'first-name' familiarity – 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, Brussels is home to the EU Parliament and NATO headquarters, Frankfurt is headquarters to the European Central Bank).
• A fairly large population (the center of a metropolitan area with a population of at least one million, typically several million).
• A major international 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 (subway, 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, such as Asia, cities which attract large foreign businesses, for example Shanghai and Hong Kong.
• International financial institutions, law firms, corporate headquarters (especially conglomerates), and stock exchanges that have influence over the world economy.
• Advanced communications infrastructure that modern trans-national corporations rely on, 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, premieres, a thriving music or theatre scene; an Orchestra, an opera company, art galleries, and street performers.

Several powerful and influential media outlets with an international reach are based in world cities, such as the BBC, The New York Times, CNN, Le Monde, The Chicago Tribune, and The Times.

Related Topics:
BBC - The New York Times - CNN - Le Monde - The Chicago Tribune - The Times

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In the Western World, New York, London, Paris and Tokyo have been traditionally considered the "big four" world cities – not incidentally, they also serve as symbols of global capitalism. However, many people have a personal list, and any two lists are likely to differ based on cultural background, values, and experience.

Related Topics:
Western World - New York - London - Paris - Tokyo - Capitalism

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In certain developed countries, especially the United States, the rise of suburbia and the ongoing migration of manufacturing jobs to developing countries has led to significant urban decay. Therefore, to boost urban regeneration, tourism, and revenue, the goal of building a world-class city has recently become an obsession with the governments of some mid-size cities and their constituents.

Related Topics:
Developed countries - Developing countries - Urban decay - Urban regeneration - Tourism

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The phenomenon of world-city building, albeit with slightly more success, has also been observed in Sydney, Buenos Aires, Frankfurt, and Toronto: each of these cities has emerged as large and influential.

Related Topics:
Sydney - Buenos Aires - Frankfurt - Toronto

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Global city: GaWC Inventory of World Cities ►