World Cities and Nation States

‘Although the ‘century of the nation state’ is over, it casts a long shadow on this ‘century of cities’. The extent to which the long wave of global urbanisation will in hindsight come to be viewed as a success for human development, will in no small part be down to how well nation states and their world cities team up and work together.’

The age of cities, and in particular world cities, is upon us. The phenomenon of globally trading and connected cities follows directly from a 20th century that was in many ways the century of the nation state. One of the paradoxes of this new century of cities is that it inherits nearly all the political structures, identities and organising principles of the nation state system.

This poses a big question: how are world cities and their national governments reorganising and updating their relationship for the urban age? World Cities and Nation States observes these new relationships in 12 leading world cities as the basis for starting a global discussion about the ways that nation states are adjusting to the globalisation of major cities. Through in–depth case studies and interviews with numerous national ministers, city government officials, institutional leaders and academic experts, the authors reveal how cities and nations are adjusting differently to ensure not only progress in the world city, but also the development of their national systems of cities. Despite predictions of the rise of city–states, the book argues that a spirit of partnership will be essential to the sustainability and success of world cities and nation states alike.

The book is an invaluable read for policy professionals at the city, regional and national levels as well as business representatives entering new urban markets. By focusing on the legal, political, economic and spatial framework in each city, it also provides a useful source for students and academics in urban studies and related fields.