The Rise of the Global City

In 1991, author and sociologist Saskia Sassen predicted that cities would make a comeback in her book The Global City. Now that her prediction has come true, Christina Larson talks to Sassen about what makes a "global city."

1 minute read

September 2, 2010, 11:00 AM PDT

By Anonymous (not verified)


Larson asked Sassen what distinguishes a global city:

"Sassen: A global city makes new norms. And two requirements for that happening are complexity and diversity. Quite often, in countries around the world, it's the most global city, especially New York, where new national and international norms are made.

FP: Is a global city always a megacity, and vice versa?

SS: I'm so glad you asked. Most global cities are really not megacities. Some are, but the question of size is a tricky one."

Friday, August 27, 2010 in Foreign Policy Magazine

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