MODULE 10: GLOBAL CITIES

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Understanding Global Cities

• Global Urbanization: Trends and Perspectives

• Environmental Impacts of Globalization

• Challenges Faced by Global Cities

THE GLOBAL CITIES

Definition

• A global city is an urban center with significant competitive advantages, acting as a hub in a globalized economy (Greig Charnock, 2024).

• Origins: The term emerged from 1980s research on important cities, evolving with globalization discussions into the modern concept of global cities.

Characteristics

• Influential in international finance, culture, and politics.

• Hubs for multinational corporations and cultural exchanges.

• Attract talent, innovation, and resources globally.

• Cities function as global entities with far-reaching influence (Sassen, 2001).

GLOBAL URBANIZATION: PERSPECTIVES AND TRENDS

Urbanization Definition

• Urbanization is the growth of cities and the rising proportion of the population living in urban areas (National Geographic Society, 2023).

• Driven by population growth and industrialization over centuries.

Perspectives on Global Urbanization

1. General Perspective

   • A vital global change process impacting natural resource use, health, and environmental change (Seto and Reenberg, 2014).

2. Demographic Perspective

   • Links urbanization to demographic transition; less developed economies tend to be more rural (Lesthaeghe, 2010).

   • Economic development shifts populations to urban areas, lowering birth rates (Lesthaeghe, 2010).

3. Spatial Perspective

   • Urbanization as a physical and demographic phenomenon; theoretical insights from urban planning (Lynch, 1961; Jabareen, 2006).

   • Urban land estimates range from 0.2 to 2.4% of terrestrial land; geographic and climatic variations impact distribution (Potere and Schneider, 2007).

4. Re(newed) Perspectives

   • Urbanization leads to changes in socioeconomics and the environment (Friedmann, 2006).

   • Urbanity Concept: Interwoven human experiences and land configurations defining “urban-ness” (Boone et al., 2014).

GLOBAL URBANIZATION TRENDS

• From 1950 to 2018, global urban population increased from 0.75 billion to 4.22 billion; estimates suggest 68% of the population will be urban by mid-century.

• Urbanization epicenter is shifting from the global north to the global south, particularly in Asia and Africa, which face rapid urban growth.

• The urban populations of these regions encounter challenging issues like poverty, food security, and inadequate housing.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF GLOBALIZATION

Introduction

• Globalization has environmental repercussions due to social and economic influences, leading to crises that impact human survival.

• Promotes sustainable development considering resource use and environmental balance.

Key Points

• Economic activities exacerbate environmental degradation.

• Advances in technology have brought awareness to environmental issues on a global scale.

GLOBAL CITY CHALLENGES

Overview

• Global cities are characterized by inequality, poverty, and violence, challenging their cosmopolitan images.

Key Challenges

1. Unemployment

   • Growing populations necessitate job creation; significant global job loss since 2008.

2. Education

   • Essential for addressing global city's challenges; data indicates over 265 million children out of school.

3. Health

   • Urgent need for better health services to improve population wellbeing.

4. Inequality

   • Gender inequality rampant; women often face greater access issues to resources and services.

5. Sustainable Environment

   • Cities struggle with infrastructure, environmental degradation, and basic service provision.

6. Gentrification

   • Wealthier populations displace existing residents, altering urban areas.

7. Violence

   • Significant impact on social fabric and quality of life in urban areas.

CASE STUDIES AND INITIATIVES

• Porto Digital: Innovation hub in Recife, Brazil, addressing poverty through technological development.

• Rah-e Roshd: Educational cooperative in Iran, helping young students gain skills.

• Tebita Ambulance Service: Emergency medical service in Ethiopia improving health access.

CONCLUSION

• Globalization poses environmental, social, and economic challenges that need concerted global efforts for sustainable solutions.

• The awareness and introduction of stringent environmental policies are necessary to combat the crises exacerbated by globalization.