Fiche anglais, global cities

           NOTION 2 : SPACE AND EXCHANGES, GLOBAL CITIES

Introduction :

    Geographically our world has never been smaller as transportation and telecommunications have accelerated the rythm of exchanges between different areas. So new forms of influence , new spaces, such as global cities, new modes of exchange are emerging, redefining our conceptions of space.  

      Cities can be considered  global if they have a significant impact on the world around them.

For instance they can be politically or culturally influencial or they may attract businesses from near and far.

Global cities are not a  completely a new pphenomenon. London has long been of international importance but new cities have emerged, such as Singapore.

Wheter they be old or new, these urban concentrations create both opportunities to be exploited and problems to be solved.

What impact do global cities have on people's everyday lives ?

First of all, we are going to see the positive impact of global cities

and finally, we 're going to see the drawbacks of global cities

I ) The positive impact of global cities

Global cities are ranked according to several criteria which highlight the assets of such places.

• Business activity evaluates how attractive the city is for international companies and how important the city is the world of finance. This can be measured by factors such as the number of international conferences and the size of airports  and ports.  (  financial centres,  international markets places and job opportunities )

• Human capital is a criterion which refers to the number of people with higher education, the quality of univerities but also the number of people born abrod. For example, London and N.Y have over one third (1/3) of their citizens  born in a foreign country . ( cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity, open mindedness and world class universities )

• Information exchange refers to international press and to the extent of access to information on the internet ( dynamic hubs )

• Cultural experience indicates the number of cultural institutions and events and the number of travellers frm all over the world. ( access to service

•  Political engagement measures the number of international representatives in the political field ( embassies, diplomats... ). ( influence all over the world )

The adavantages of global cities are ( more cutural activities, better school and universities, economic social centers, and it's more dynamic, better transportation, a lot of shops services, more opportunities to find a job, quality infrastructurs, diversity of culture, langages and populations, the tourism is blooming and it's a magnet for nationals and foreigners )

Singapore is a new global cities who has a growing population which is culturally and linguistically diverse, the health service and educational system are highly developed, they have an excellent public services and  top ranked schools.

The life expanctancy of men and women are longer which is also typical of develed continues.

Singapore using multiple languages in everyday life in responce of ethnic diversity , she is a modern ,developed, global city which is a strong magnet for people in serach of work and high standard of living .

Singapore is a fine city, a lot of things are forbidden to do, like smoking, urinating in public, chew a chewing gum, to spit etc ,, If you are caught breaking the law, you can be fines 100 dollars.

( the doc =a photo of a tee shirt = covered with ban = no smoking … the title is a pun because fne means both great and a penalty to pay for not respecting the law ).

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