Global Industry Chains: Creating a Networked City Planet: The Global Urban Competitiveness Report (2018-2019)

A survey project by the National Academy of Economic Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme evaluated and ranked 1,007 global cities based on selected indicators. The report confirms that global value chains have caused profound changes in economic structures and affected the development of cities, reshaping the city planet. It also reveals four new findings about the development of cities: transitioning from agricultural societies to industrial societies, accelerated urbanization, becoming increasingly metropolitan, interconnected, and smart, and improving sustainability performance.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 632 pages
Publication date: 04 July 2022
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This comprehensive report presents the findings of a survey project conducted by the National Academy of Economic Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme. The project aimed to evaluate and rank the competitiveness of 1,007 global cities, with a combined population exceeding 500,000, based on a selection of key indicators. The report offers an insightful overview of the global urbanization pattern and identifies areas for improvement in the selected cities.

The project's outcomes confirm that the formation and evolution of global value chains have brought about significant changes in economic structures in certain countries and impacted the development of cities within these countries. Consequently, this reshaping of the city planet has taken place. In addition to conducting a comparative analysis of city competitiveness, this report also sheds light on the global pattern and trends of economic and human development. It reveals four groundbreaking findings regarding the evolution of cities worldwide:

Firstly, over the past four decades, human societies have undergone a rapid transition from agricultural societies characterized by scattered settlements to industrial societies characterized by city clusters, interconnectedness, and resource sharing. The planet we inhabit has transformed into a city planet.

Secondly, globalization and the advancements of smart and networking technologies have accelerated urbanization across the globe during the past four decades.

Thirdly, cities are becoming increasingly metropolitan, interconnected, and intelligent.

Lastly, the sustainability scores of the selected global cities exhibit an olive-shaped distribution on the world map, with notable improvements in sustainability performance observed among Asian cities.

In conclusion, this comprehensive report provides valuable insights into the current state and future prospects of global cities. It underscores the significant role that cities play in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and addressing social and environmental challenges. By understanding the dynamics and trends shaping urbanization, policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders can work towards creating more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous cities for the present and future generations.

Weight: 979g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811620607
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021