World Cities

Question 1

What is a world city?

Answer 1

An interconnected global economic centre that has a significant influence on the world economy

Eg London and Sydney

They are important on a global scale and account for 30% of the world’s economy so are significant beyond the country which they are situated in

Almost all in MEDCs/HICs but some eg Dharavi are in emerging economies

Question 2

What is happening to the number of world cities?

Answer 2

Increasing

1950- only world cities were London, Paris, Tokyo and New York

More recently economic growth in oil rich countries such as Nigeria has allowed cities such as Lagos to become contenders for world city status

They cities are increasingly important in global economies and business

Question 3

Name two world cities that have emerged as leaders of banking and finance and explain them

Answer 3

London and Newyork

Many banking companies such as HSBC, Lloyds and RSB have headquarters in these cities

Question 4

Generic characteristics of world cities

Answer 4

Usually dominate international trade and regional economies in their area—

World cities have good transport links which allow them to trade w the rest of the world

Usually have world renowned universities

Centres for science and innovation w high quality research and development facilities

Centres for culture- home to media and communication corporations as well as range of theatre, museums and other cultural attractions

Tend to attract high numbers of people from other countries inc migrants, business visitors, students and tourists

Question 5

Give an example of how world cities usually dominate international trade and regional economies in their area

Answer 5

Tokyo is extremely influential in international trade between the East Asian nations

Question 6

Classification of world cities

Answer 6

Alpha ++
Alpha +
Alpha
Alpha -

Beta

Gamma

Question 7

Alpha ++ city

Answer 7

New York

London

Question 8

Alpha +

Answer 8

Hong Kong

Paris

Question 9

Alpha

Answer 9

Madrid

Moscow

Question 10

Alpha -

Answer 10

Los Angeles

Mexico City

Question 11

Beta cities

Answer 11

Melbourne

SAN Fransisco

Question 12

Gamma cities

Answer 12

Montreal

Panama City

Question 13

4 Hubs of world cities

Answer 13

Hubs of business transport and trade

Production hubs

Political hubs

Migration hubs

Question 14

Explain hubs of business transport and trade

Answer 14

World cities have strong connections to the rest of the world eg by internet electronic communication and air

Clear identifiers of personal wealth - eg numbers of billionaires

Question 15

Example of city which is a hub of business transport and trade

Answer 15

London’s Heathrow airport- world’s largest international passenger traffic

Singapore- major centres for shipping and container traffic

Tokyo- dominates global trade and consumer activity.
They contain corporate head quarters for TNCs, international financial institutions, law firms, industrial grants (eg BP) and stock exchanges that influence the world economy
To support these, a significant number of financial services, such as banking and accountancy are also present

Question 16

Explain Production hubs

Answer 16

Most manufacturing and production of goods are carried in developing countries + NICs,

many decisions about marketing and production across the world, are made by TNCs (transactional corporations)

most of whose headquarters are located in world cities.

Question 17

Explain political hubs

Answer 17

These cities through their politicians often dictate trading and economic links between countries

They influence and participate in international events (eg GB summits) and world affairs

Question 18

Examples of political hub

Answer 18

At city level, mayors of NY and London see it as their role to promote their cities globally and network with those companies and institutions they believe will use their city as a base

At a national level, individuals and organisations promote political and financial support for those parties which offer what they see as essential to growth

Question 19

Explain Migration hubs

Answer 19

World cities are an influence as they attract qualified talented people who are generally mobile (can move e jobs to locations that offer a high quality of life)

Question 20

Examples of migration hubs

Answer 20

Sydney and Melbourne in Australia regularly feature in the top 10 cities offering the highest quality of life

They have a diverse pop as a result from demographic flows as well as flows of finance, trade and ideas.

Encourage migration of world’s wealthiest people, stacking talent and offering opportunities for innovation and change

Question 21

Give an example of a big scale of world cities

Answer 21

Dominate normal economies m

Paris- 25% of French GDP
London- 40% of UK GDP