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Global Cities: A Short History
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Why have some cities become great global urban centers, and what cities will be future leaders?
From Athens and Rome in ancient times to New York and Singapore today, a handful of cities have stood out as centers of global economic, military, or political power. In the twenty-first century, the number of truly global cities is greater than ever before, reflecting the globalization of both economic and political power.
In Global A Short History , Greg Clark, an internationally renowned British urbanist, examines the enduring forces—such as trade, migration, war and technology—that have enabled some cities to emerge from the pack into global leadership. Much more than an historical review, Clark's book looks to the future, examining the trends that are transforming cities around the world as well as the new challenges all global cities increasingly will face.
Which cities will be the global leaders of tomorrow? What are the common issues and opportunities they will face? What kinds of leadership can make these cities competitive and resilient? Clark offers answers to these and similar questions in a book that will be of interest to anyone who lives in or is affected by the world's great urban areas.
"
Why have some cities become great global urban centers, and what cities will be future leaders?
From Athens and Rome in ancient times to New York and Singapore today, a handful of cities have stood out as centers of global economic, military, or political power. In the twenty-first century, the number of truly global cities is greater than ever before, reflecting the globalization of both economic and political power.
In Global A Short History , Greg Clark, an internationally renowned British urbanist, examines the enduring forces—such as trade, migration, war and technology—that have enabled some cities to emerge from the pack into global leadership. Much more than an historical review, Clark's book looks to the future, examining the trends that are transforming cities around the world as well as the new challenges all global cities increasingly will face.
Which cities will be the global leaders of tomorrow? What are the common issues and opportunities they will face? What kinds of leadership can make these cities competitive and resilient? Clark offers answers to these and similar questions in a book that will be of interest to anyone who lives in or is affected by the world's great urban areas.
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223 pages, Paperback
Published November 29, 2016
About the author
Greg Clark
17 books3 followersBorn in Toronto in 1892, Greg Clark was a Canadian war veteran who became known for his work as a journalist and humourist.
Both before and after World War I, Clark worked for the Toronto Star. After the war, he soon became a leading correspondent and reporter. While working at the Toronto Star, Clark befriended and mentored a young Ernest Hemingway, who said that Clark was the best writer on the paper. In later life Hemingway called Clark one of the finest modern short story writers in the English language.
During World War II, Clark continued to work as a war correspondent for the Toronto Star. For his service, he received the OBE (Order of The British Empire). He would also receive The Order Of Canada.
At the end of World War II, Clark went to work for the Toronto Telegram. Some of Clark's best-known work was from weekly columns that Jimmie Frise would illustrate. Unfortunately most of his work is now out of print.
Both before and after World War I, Clark worked for the Toronto Star. After the war, he soon became a leading correspondent and reporter. While working at the Toronto Star, Clark befriended and mentored a young Ernest Hemingway, who said that Clark was the best writer on the paper. In later life Hemingway called Clark one of the finest modern short story writers in the English language.
During World War II, Clark continued to work as a war correspondent for the Toronto Star. For his service, he received the OBE (Order of The British Empire). He would also receive The Order Of Canada.
At the end of World War II, Clark went to work for the Toronto Telegram. Some of Clark's best-known work was from weekly columns that Jimmie Frise would illustrate. Unfortunately most of his work is now out of print.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
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August 3, 2023DNF this was for school and probably would have been informative if I finished it but let’s be realistic I am not that strong
May 23, 2017
Very good overview of the development of large cities in the world over time- and the factors that influenced their development and decline.
March 14, 2017
I liked it but living in a Brexit world with tales of Trumps insularity coming from across the Atlantic it felt depressing. The key ingredient for a Global city is openness; to trade, to immigrants, to new ideas. When cities turn away from those, as history shows in this slim volume, they cease to be global and cease to thrive. Clark layouts out Global cities in history and then comes forward to the present and speculates on where might be the next key cities.
I wondered occasionally about the choice of those present / future cities...in the UK he only offers London as a first rate global city with Manchester as the lesser ranking city. I wondered about why not Birmingham or Glasgow as I find it hard to see what Manchester has that makes it more global than these two. I would agree that back in the heyday of texiles but now?? And that thought made me wonder about other choices.
I wondered occasionally about the choice of those present / future cities...in the UK he only offers London as a first rate global city with Manchester as the lesser ranking city. I wondered about why not Birmingham or Glasgow as I find it hard to see what Manchester has that makes it more global than these two. I would agree that back in the heyday of texiles but now?? And that thought made me wonder about other choices.
December 4, 2016
Great overview of what defines a global city and the challenges of becoming one and remaining one with plenty of historical and current examples. The sidebars and boxes are particularly illuminating.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews