Global cities
Global cities (sometimes referred to as power cities, world cities, alpha cities or world centres) are cities that form primary urban hubs in the global economy.
The term originated in the 1980’s during research into common the characteristics of the world’s most significant cities, and has been popularised more recently with the focus on globalisation. Globalisation has become one of the key phenomena of the modern life, but there controversy about what it actually means and whether and how far it is to be welcomed. For more information see: Globalisation.
Global cities can be seen as key nodes in the global network of industry, culture, finance, and communications. As a result they have creative, competitive, political and economic advantages and are in some ways more connected to other global cities than they are to the countries that they are part of. At the same time however, they are in competition with the other global cities.
Global cities are linked to the rise of global companies and global supply chains. However, they can suffer from societal fragmentation with large disparities between the living standards of traditional workers relative to those in well-paid, globalised roles.
Criteria for the designation of global cities is highly contested, but generally global cities are thought to include:
The term ‘megacity’ refers to metropolitan areas with a total population of more than 10 million people. For more information see: Megacity.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Designing sustainability and performance into buildings
Specifying and selecting sustainable resilient timber products.
Modifying wood to improve resistance to decay and movement.
A last minute, long look for built environment professionals.
The architecture of creative reuse. Book review.
Installing solar panels on listed structures.
Sustainable development global goals, history in progress?
"Unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda will become an epitaph for a world that might have been."
Mike Kagioglou FCIOB named CIOB President
'Sustainable Development Goals must be focus for construction'
BSRIA training; a look at what's on offer
From energy management to compliance training.
TESP video warns to beware of rogue trainers.
Highlighting the slippery tactics of non-approved providers.
New Building Safety Wiki launched
Boosting awareness and understanding of the new fire safety regime.
New playbook on AI in construction published by CIOB
How to get to grips with, and the best from AI.
Digital Construction Report NBS
BIM, cloud, off-site, immersive tech, AI, twins and sustainability.
ECA learning zone and industry focus video series
From updates and amendments to circular economy, emergency lighting and much more.