Cities
Europe's main cities evolved and developed through globalization. With the growth of connections between continents and countries, the main cities became political, economical and cultural poles, gathering power and influence on a regional, continental and global scale.
London, Paris, Berlin, Madrid and Prague are examples of major cities within their respective regions and countries. However, these cities also have a important European influence. London is the most populated city with 7,500,000 inhabitants and the largest metropolis of Europe. A metropolis is defined as a very large city which is one of the economic, political and cultural centers for a country or an area. Metropolises also have considerable regional and international connections, exchanges and communication. In the case of London, its economy is an essential aspect for the city's influence on Europe. With an estimated GDP of $731.2 billion in 2012 (the fifth largest city economy in the world after Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles and Seoul), London is a successful business center. Its developed transport infrastructure and low taxes attract many companies to establish themselves in London. Most of the private sector businesses of the United Kingdom are based in London (18% in the professional, scientific and technical activities sector, and 15% in the construction sector). Furthermore, the capital of the United Kingdom is an important and attractive hub that gathers a good communication and cultural strengths. With about 3,300,000 inhabitants, Berlin and Madrid are considerable European metropolises as well. Moreover, Paris manages to be a major metropolis and the center of France with fewer inhabitants (2,200,000 inhabitants in 2012). In 2011, its GDP was about 607 billion euros, the sixth-largest in the world, concentrating more than 30% of France's wealth. Besides being a major economic center for its country, Paris has an European influence, especially by its developed service-industry and high-technology manufacturing. The cultural aspect and the preserved patrimony of France's capital increases tourism, which is a major strength for Paris. Europe's main metropolises are the central cities of each country, where economical, political and cultural aspects are developed through communication and influence on the European continent.
The European Backbone is the grouping of Western Europe’s metropolises forming an area of urbanization. It starts from Manchester, takes in London, Brussels, Dusseldorf, Luxembourg, Strasbourg, Zurich, Turin and stretches to Milan and Venice. This ''corridor'' is considered as one of the world's highest concentrations of people, money and industry. It includes industrial areas, important transport infrastructures - like Rotterdam's port or London and Amsterdam's airports-, international organizations (the European Parliament in Strasbourg) and multinational companies. These elements and collaborations help the influence of the European cities on the world. Today, the European Backbone expands and grows new branches, taking in Paris, Madrid and other metropolises contributing to the development of Europe through globalization.
The political and economical strengths and weaknesses vary with each metropolis, having more or less influence on the world. Cities like London and Paris are considered to be global cities as their economy is an important node in the global economy. The triad refers to the three regions that tend to dominate the global economy and the conduct of international politics. It is composed of North America (the United States and Canada), Western Europe (European Union, Norway, Switzerland) and Asia Pacific (Japan and South Korea). They represent about 80% of world trade (70% of world production, 90% of financial transactions and 80% of new scientific knowledge). New York and Tokyo are connected with the global cities of Europe, making them maintain a powerful influence on the world. Through the Triad, the European main centers are key players in economic globalization and internationalization. Tourism is also very developed in the Triad cities. European cities, being in the Triad, they benefit of constant tourism and so have an important influence on worldwide economy.
However, in the future, city leaders must move quickly to plan, connect and finance resilient and sustainable growth. Many city governments are achieving projects to make the cities more rentable, ecologic and fit the population’s demands. In this manner, they will keep economical, social, cultural, and political power and influence in their regions, continent, and the world.
by Camille Chu and Juliane Bigot
London, Paris, Berlin, Madrid and Prague are examples of major cities within their respective regions and countries. However, these cities also have a important European influence. London is the most populated city with 7,500,000 inhabitants and the largest metropolis of Europe. A metropolis is defined as a very large city which is one of the economic, political and cultural centers for a country or an area. Metropolises also have considerable regional and international connections, exchanges and communication. In the case of London, its economy is an essential aspect for the city's influence on Europe. With an estimated GDP of $731.2 billion in 2012 (the fifth largest city economy in the world after Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles and Seoul), London is a successful business center. Its developed transport infrastructure and low taxes attract many companies to establish themselves in London. Most of the private sector businesses of the United Kingdom are based in London (18% in the professional, scientific and technical activities sector, and 15% in the construction sector). Furthermore, the capital of the United Kingdom is an important and attractive hub that gathers a good communication and cultural strengths. With about 3,300,000 inhabitants, Berlin and Madrid are considerable European metropolises as well. Moreover, Paris manages to be a major metropolis and the center of France with fewer inhabitants (2,200,000 inhabitants in 2012). In 2011, its GDP was about 607 billion euros, the sixth-largest in the world, concentrating more than 30% of France's wealth. Besides being a major economic center for its country, Paris has an European influence, especially by its developed service-industry and high-technology manufacturing. The cultural aspect and the preserved patrimony of France's capital increases tourism, which is a major strength for Paris. Europe's main metropolises are the central cities of each country, where economical, political and cultural aspects are developed through communication and influence on the European continent.
The European Backbone is the grouping of Western Europe’s metropolises forming an area of urbanization. It starts from Manchester, takes in London, Brussels, Dusseldorf, Luxembourg, Strasbourg, Zurich, Turin and stretches to Milan and Venice. This ''corridor'' is considered as one of the world's highest concentrations of people, money and industry. It includes industrial areas, important transport infrastructures - like Rotterdam's port or London and Amsterdam's airports-, international organizations (the European Parliament in Strasbourg) and multinational companies. These elements and collaborations help the influence of the European cities on the world. Today, the European Backbone expands and grows new branches, taking in Paris, Madrid and other metropolises contributing to the development of Europe through globalization.
The political and economical strengths and weaknesses vary with each metropolis, having more or less influence on the world. Cities like London and Paris are considered to be global cities as their economy is an important node in the global economy. The triad refers to the three regions that tend to dominate the global economy and the conduct of international politics. It is composed of North America (the United States and Canada), Western Europe (European Union, Norway, Switzerland) and Asia Pacific (Japan and South Korea). They represent about 80% of world trade (70% of world production, 90% of financial transactions and 80% of new scientific knowledge). New York and Tokyo are connected with the global cities of Europe, making them maintain a powerful influence on the world. Through the Triad, the European main centers are key players in economic globalization and internationalization. Tourism is also very developed in the Triad cities. European cities, being in the Triad, they benefit of constant tourism and so have an important influence on worldwide economy.
However, in the future, city leaders must move quickly to plan, connect and finance resilient and sustainable growth. Many city governments are achieving projects to make the cities more rentable, ecologic and fit the population’s demands. In this manner, they will keep economical, social, cultural, and political power and influence in their regions, continent, and the world.
by Camille Chu and Juliane Bigot