Notes on Urban Places (Band 6 Worth)

Resource Description

Urban Places
Context
“cities are the abyss of the human species”
Urbanisation is the most important geographical process shaping the earths cultural geography. The shift from rural-based lifestyles to those based in towns and cities is the most significant terrestrial event in human history. More than half the world’s population now lives in urban places. The shift will continue for the foreseeable future. As a result, the world’s economic, social, cultural and political processes are increasingly played out within and between the worlds system of towns and cities. This trend now appears irreversible due to the global shift to technological, industrial and serviced based economies. Urban geography is concerned with the development of towns and cities, with particular reference to the similarities and differences both among and within places.

World Cities
⦁ the nature, character and spatial distribution of world cities
A ‘world city’ is defined as a large city that has outstripped its national urban network and become a part of an international global system; a center of world trade and communications; a leader in banking and finance; a host of entertainment and sporting spectacles; a headquarters of nongovernmental agencies and a major tourist destination. World cities are the command and control centers in the borderless domain of the global economy. New York, London, Tokyo and Paris are examples of world cities.
⦁ Not necessarily the world’s biggest cities but the most economically cultural and influential in the increasingly integrated global economy
⦁ Control the flow of information, cultural products and finance.
⦁ Sustain economic and cultural integration of the world.
⦁ Transnational corporations = large corporations that can operate in as many as 50-60 counties. These fund the global economy and are one of the main causes for globalistion.
⦁ Rich in human capital (skills, knowledge and experience held by individuals)
⦁ High art, culture, fine restaurants and nightlife help attract and retain workers
⦁ Attract tourists and migrants, increasing diversity
⦁ Trade used to be the principal for world cities, but now is largely influenced by factors of globalistion.
⦁ The age of colonialism and imperialism combined with the industrial revolution, ushered in a new era of ‘world city’ authority.
⦁ Business activity: This relates the strength of the economy and the amount of wealth a city has
⦁ Human Capital: This refers to the knowledge and skills that the population of the city/economy. For example, London has high human capital as they have top universities such as Oxford.
⦁ Information exchange: This is the amount of information that is shared between world cities. This can also be expressed through online presence and access to world news.
⦁ Cultural experience: This is the ways cities engage in art and culture.
⦁ Political engagement
World cities are located in more economically developed countries. They are mostly found in the northern hemisphere.
⦁ the role of world cities as powerful centres of economic and cultural authority
Economic authority: World Cities are able to control and command the global economy. They are the preferred location for corporate businesses and serve as headquarters for transnational corporations.
Cultural Authority: World Cities are also able to provide, control and lead their nation and the world through cultural dominance. They host global sporting and political events.
⦁ the operation of global networks
Global networks operate through the infrastructure of world cities, and the connections between them and other parts of the world.
⦁ These networks facilitate the flow of; capital, information, goods, services, culture
⦁ the relationships of dominance and dependence between world cities and other urban centres and the changing role of regional centres and the demise of the small town.
Urban centre: An Urban centre is defined as a largely populated high-density area. These areas are usually made up of several suburbs. An example of this is Canberra which is a city, but not a world city. World cities and other urban centres are both dominant forces that are dependent on one another. We can see these relationships operating at global, regional and national scales.