London a global city

London a global city

First I would introduce the following notion by this question, what's a global city ?

A global city is a city generally considerated to be an important node in the global economic system. The majors centres of the world are New-York, London, Tokyo and Paris. They are hubs around wich people, capital informations and goods revolve, but how london is a global city ?

1. A metropolis that has the infrastructure of a global city

a. A landscape that reflects its international power

London is the political capital of the United Kingdom and a diplomatic, economic and intellectual command centre. These important and prestigious functions mark its territory with buildings that symbolize them.

- London has Political and diplomatic functions: the Westminster Palace and Abbey, seat of Parliament and coronation place of the kings of England, 10 Downing Street, residence of the Prime Minister, embassies, ministry district, etc.

- London has Economic functions: London is one of the world's leading financial centres. This economic function is characterized, in the East, by skyscrapers grouped within the City, the CBD, the capital's business centre. On the second document we can see the new central business district with the shard tower on the left side of the tames and the City on the right side. The London Stock Exchange, the Royal Stock Exchange of London, with its new premises built on District Paternoster Square.

- she as Intellectual functions: London has about thirty universities and at least six science parks.

b. Communications and links with the entire planet

London is a major communications hub for both passenger and freight transport. Even if the metropolis-capital is cut off by the English Channel from the rest of the European continent, its leaders have ensured that interconnections with the rest of the world are easy and fast. It is the world's leading airport hub with 2 international airports that connect most major international airlines.

It is also very well connected to continental Europe by rail links: you can cross the Channel and arrive in Paris from London in 2h15. From there, Londoners can take TGV trains to Lille (from where they can reach Belgium, the Netherlands...), Strasbourg (Germany, Switzerland...), Lyon (Italy) or Marseille and the Mediterranean.

c. Changing spaces

London regularly hosts international events: political and sports meetings, etc. To be equal to a global city, London has begun to restructure.

- Canary Wharf: The Docklands are witnesses to this transformation of the capital. This district, Canary Wharf, built since 1981 on the city's former abandoned docks, has been restructured into business centres and residential areas. Today, it houses the offices of more than 700 firms, several tens of thousands of luxury homes and major leisure facilities. It is a place that creates wealth and jobs.

- Impact of the London 2012 Olympic Games: The 2012 Olympic Games are being held in London. Its managers therefore had time to set up the necessary structures for an event of this magnitude. The Olympic Games made it possible to redesign part of the map of East London. In an effort to reduce the capital's spatial social imbalances, they built the City Airport, new metro lines and a reception site in the east of the capital, particularly in the extremely poor Stratford district, where the city hall had the Olympic Park built.

2. A powerful metropolis with an international reputation

a. A millionaire and cosmopolitan population

- A large and populated urban area:

London has a very large and fairly populated urban area. The central city has 7.5 million inhabitants, while Greater London and the agglomeration have a total of 8.3 and 11 million inhabitants respectively.

- The most cosmopolitan city on the European continent:

For centuries, London has forged part of its identity to the rhythm of foreign migration. Even today, this metropolis still attracts foreigners from all over the world. The most numerous come here in search of training, work or asylum. Ethnic diversity is one of the keys to the vitality of the British capital: the 2001 census announced that 60% of Londoners were British, 12% Indians (Pakistanis and Bangladeshis), 11% Africans

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