what is a global city? characteristics and the challenges they face.

This certainly makes European cities easier to manage, and perhaps less affected by the problems described above. In 2030, the estimate is that not even one European city will get a position in the ranking, with Tokyo, Delhi and Shanghai leading the way. EUROCITIES also collaborates with EU institutions to find solutions to common issues of European citizens.Īnd why should the EU care? In 1900, five out of the ten biggest cities in the world were in Europe (from the most populated: London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna and Manchester).

Its principal aim is that of increasing the awareness about the role of local governments, as well as allowing mayors to share knowledge about the above-mentioned urban challenges. An example of this phenomenon is EUROCITIES, a network of 140 large European cities and 45 partner cities founded in 1986. To try and tackle this issue, several network connecting mayors of global cities were created, to find collective solutions to common problems like those of social violence, terrorism, and protection of the minorities.

For instance, cities often complain about the lack of environmental or integration policies at the state level and decide to implement them autonomously. Because of their growing economic relevance, cities seek to play an active role in national and international politics too, but their relationship with central governments can be arduous. One last challenge is that of the political relevance of global cities. Moreover, Eurostat found that the average income for non-EU citizens in EU countries was about 15,000€, much lower than the EU citizens’ mean of nearly 20,000€. It was estimated that after five years in the EU, almost 80% of economic migrants are employed, but when it comes to refugees the percentage falls below 30%. As pointed out by Matteo Villa – an Ispi Research Fellow working on the Migration Programme – one has to carefully distinguish between economic migrants and refugees. However, the diversified economic background and the high multiethnicity in global cities brings about complex integration issues as well. In the European Union, only 4.2% of the population is composed of (regular) foreigners, but they are concentrated in urbanised areas. They rely on the safety net of other migrants and the opportunities that are offered in global cities, while cities reap the benefits of migrants’ entrepreneurial attitude. In OECD countries, 66% of migrants live in cities. Another point at issue is that of migration.

What is a global city? characteristics and the challenges they face.