Urban issues in contrasting global cities

Question 1

Define global cities

Answer 1

Cities that play an important role in the global economic system in finance and trade.

Question 2

Define globalisation

Answer 2

The global web of links between countries involving people, trade, ideas and cultures.

Question 3

Define urbanisation

Answer 3

The growth of towns and cities.

Question 4

Define newly industrialised countries (NICS)

Answer 4

Middle-income countries where the pace of economic growth is faster than in developing countries.

Question 5

Define mega-cities

Answer 5

Cities with over ten million residents.

Question 6

What features do global cities have?

Answer 6

Finance + trade
Governance + decision making
Media + information (Ideas, Information, innovation)
Migration Cultural centres (Diversity)
Transport hubs

Question 7

How has finance and trade made global cities important?

Answer 7

Locations of stock exchange + bank headquarters.

Question 8

How has governance made global cities important?

Answer 8

Locations of central government, international organisations (e.g. UN, EU) + headquarters of MNCs.

Question 9

How has diversity made global cities important?

Answer 9

Global cities attract large numbers of migrants from within the country + beyond.

Question 10

How has the media made global cities important?

Answer 10

Location of media corporations.

Question 11

How has cultural centres made global cities important?

Answer 11

Location of a wide range of entertainment venues.

Question 12

How has innovation made global cities important?

Answer 12

Location of top-rated universities + research.

Question 13

Describe the distribution of global cities.

Answer 13

North America, Western Europe + South Asia have clusters of global cities.
Africa has few (6)
India = 8
China = 14

Question 14

How are global cities connected through transport?

Answer 14

World’s major logistical companies have developed elaborate + flexible transport system, including airports, airlines, ports, shipping + rail to move goods and people to any part of globe.
Hub and spoke - 8 connections needed

Question 15

How are global cities connected through trade and tourism?

Answer 15

Locations connected by trade for 100s of years, become stronger from growth of trade + development of MNCs.
Tourism made countries connected, long-haul flights to remote destinations are more common today.
Short-haul flights aided by increase in budget airlines flying to small regions.
Movement of people leads to exchange of culture + understanding others’ lifestyles - feel more connected to each other.

Question 16

How are global cities connected through media and communications?

Answer 16

Social media allows anyone with internet connection to broadcast anything.
Increases awareness of events + different cultures.
Largely through development of internet + high speed broadband connections so people can communicate in real-time.