Global Urban Hierarchies and City Classifications

Urban Hierarchies

World Cities

• World metropolises: New York and Tokyo.
• Megacities: Delhi.
• Megalopolises.
• Global cities: These exert global influence regarding certain activities, such as technology in Seattle or trade in Dubai.

Continental and Regional Cities

• Continental cities: They usually govern a large number of areas and perform different activities (e.g., London, Madrid, San Francisco).
• Regional cities: They govern a large number of areas, but fewer than the continental cities (e.g., Milan, Barcelona).

Medium-Sized Cities

These cities are less polluted, foster better relationships, and offer the best quality of life. Definition: They represent a balanced urban model.

World Cities in the 21st Century

Globalization has changed all cities.

Cities in Europe and Spain

• West: Featuring different sizes, these are the most developed countries in Europe. Nowadays, they have important tertiary activities and play an important role in Europe (e.g., London, Berlin, Paris).
• Central-East: These are national and regional cities that concentrate the most important services (e.g., Prague, Warsaw).
• South: Some are very urban and modern, possessing a rich and varied historical heritage (e.g., Rome, Madrid, Lisbon).

American Cities

Originating as British cities in the 17th century, they play an important role in different services. They have important industrial and agricultural activities. The Pacific cities are very important technological areas. They have grown up very quickly, giving place to favelas. They are colonial cities too.

Cities of Asia and Oceania

Asia

Asia has the highest percentage of the world's urban population and the largest cities. The process of urbanization has been very accelerated. China has 740 million people. Japan has a 91% urban population; Tokyo has 35 million inhabitants, while other cities contain 81% of Japan's population. They have a rich cultural heritage.

Maybe India will be the most populated country in the future. Other Asian countries and cities include Dubai, Baghdad, Tehran, and Dhaka.

Oceania

In Oceania, 90% of the urban population in Australia lives in cities such as Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, and Gladstone.

African Cities

Africa hasn't had many cities until the 20th century. Following a Muslim model, Cairo has 17 million inhabitants. Other major cities include Lagos (12 million), Abuja, Dakar, Abidjan, and Khartoum. It has a sophisticated urban culture.