What social and economic problems do urban residents face today? How are their local and national governments attempting to manage these problems? Third, the researchers explored changes in the quality of urban life resulting from the dynamics of globalization. How have populations dispersed around new transportation networks and economic centers? How can regional planning efforts influence changes in spatial form and impacts on the environment? For example, how have the loss of traditional agricultural or industrial economies and the introduction of new players with investment capital changed the ways cities work? How have cities attempted to position themselves in relation to these powerful external forces?Īnother research goal was to understand the relationships between changing urban form and regional infrastructure investments, such as transportation systems and new technology centers.

First, they examined the effects of the global political economy on the growth and development of cities over time.

Using the 12 sites as case studies, the researchers outlined several levels of investigation to assemble a picture of what global city regions look like and why. a record of attempts by their governments to shape regional form, whether successful or not.distinct patterns of growth and change since 1960 and.a diversified market economy, rather than a command economy or one dominated by a single industry.a large population, but not necessarily megacity stature.While each city offers unique characteristics and exceptions to certain patterns, they all meet the following measurable criteria: The consortium was organized by three research investigators-David Barkin, Gary Hack and Roger Simmonds-to study 12 city regions spread across Europe, Asia and the Americas. The Lincoln Institute’s 1995 Cambridge Conference in September focused on these global forces. Those who focus on urban issues have been arguing for many years that we are seeing the emergence of a new kind of human settlement, with its own distinct social and economic structures and associated physical forms. Global investment, sophisticated communications, and widespread corporate and personal mobility are transforming city regions around the world.

The global city definition