How to Build a Global City: Recognizing the Symbolic Power of a Global Urban Imagination

Michele Acuto's book "How to Build a Global City" examines the rise of global cities and their impact on urban public policy. It explores the global urban discourses, aspirations, and strategies that shape these cities, highlighting the complex relationship between global city theory and practice. Acuto calls for a reconciliation between proponents and critics of the global city to engage more explicitly with the politics of this global urban imagination.

Format: Hardback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 15 January 2022
Publisher: Cornell University Press

In his book "How to Build a Global City," Michele Acuto delves into the rise of a new generation of so-called global cities, including Singapore, Sydney, and Dubai. Acuto examines the power that this concept held in their ascent and explores the broader relationship between global city theory and its urban public policy practice. The global city is often portrayed as an ideal model of development and a framework for internationalization, but it also brings about significant social divisions and raises questions about the extent to which local planning can succeed in a global economy. Through a unique elite ethnography, Acuto examines the global urban discourses, aspirations, and strategies that shape the planning and management of these metropolitan growths.

He reveals that the global city is not a singular concept but a multifaceted framework that encompasses various ways of imagining a place as global and efforts to establish its global status. Acuto's book highlights the political dimensions of the global urban imagination, urging proponents and critics alike to engage more explicitly with the politics underlying this global urban vision.

The book offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of urban development, globalization, and the politics of place. It sheds light on the strategies employed by cities to attract investment, promote economic growth, and address social inequalities. It also raises important questions about the role of local governments, citizens, and other stakeholders in shaping the future of global cities and the challenges they face.

Overall, "How to Build a Global City" is a thought-provoking and insightful book that contributes to our understanding of the rapidly evolving urban landscape and the role of cities in shaping the world we live in.

Weight: 28g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501759703