It is evident nowadays through trade, communications and travel that the cities of the world are intrinsically connected, and this does two things: allows for the formation of “sub-systems” and establishes a dominance/dependence relationship. Regarding the former, World Cities exist within a complex network that is founded and maintained by their continuing connection.
There are several sub-systems that World Cities can be divided into, including the Asian (Tokyo-Singapore-Hong Kong axis), North American (New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, linking Toronto and Mexico City), the European (London and Paris, connecting Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain), the Southern (Sao Paulo, Sydney and Johannesburg) and, as of 2014, a possible fifth sub-system, that Arab-Middle Eastern (with the growing influence of Dubai).
These sub-systems assist in the foundation of a global network, which thus, due to their location, allows for the movement of foreign aid from the developed to developing worlds. Hence, this connection between the developed and developing world thus creates a dominance/dependence relationship. In summary, World Cities are dominant, powerful meccas and therefore more dependent urban communities, such as Megacities, rely on these dominant cities for assistance in aid as well as in national decision making. World Cities, as leaders on the economic and political front, also act as a guide or “role model” for Megacities.
There are several sub-systems that World Cities can be divided into, including the Asian (Tokyo-Singapore-Hong Kong axis), North American (New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, linking Toronto and Mexico City), the European (London and Paris, connecting Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain), the Southern (Sao Paulo, Sydney and Johannesburg) and, as of 2014, a possible fifth sub-system, that Arab-Middle Eastern (with the growing influence of Dubai).
These sub-systems assist in the foundation of a global network, which thus, due to their location, allows for the movement of foreign aid from the developed to developing worlds. Hence, this connection between the developed and developing world thus creates a dominance/dependence relationship. In summary, World Cities are dominant, powerful meccas and therefore more dependent urban communities, such as Megacities, rely on these dominant cities for assistance in aid as well as in national decision making. World Cities, as leaders on the economic and political front, also act as a guide or “role model” for Megacities.