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: Paperback / softback
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 general 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 logic of internationalization for cities across the globe. However, it also brings about significant social polarization and raises questions about the extent to which local planning can succeed in a global economy.

Acuto presents a unique elite ethnography of these cities, shedding light on the global urban discourses, aspirations, and strategies that shape the planning and management of metropolitan growth. He argues that the global city is not a singular idea but a complex amalgamation of ways to imagine a place as global and aspirations to bring it about, often deeply intertwined with political considerations. Through his research, Acuto challenges the notion that the global city can be understood solely through economic or technological lenses and emphasizes the need for a more explicit engagement with the politics of this global urban imagination.

In the book, Acuto discusses the various ways in which global cities are constructed and managed. He explores the role of government agencies, private corporations, and international organizations in shaping the urban landscape and promoting global connectivity. He also examines the social and cultural dynamics that emerge in these cities, including the experiences of marginalized communities and the challenges they face in the process of urbanization.

Acuto's book offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between global city theory and urban public policy practice. It challenges proponents and critics of the global city to engage more critically with the politics of this global urban imagination and to consider the broader

In conclusion, "How to Build a Global City" by Michele Acuto is a thought-provoking and insightful book that delves into the rise of the global city and its implications for urban planning and management. Acuto's unique elite ethnography provides a valuable perspective on the complex relationship between global city theory and urban public policy practice, challenging readers to engage more critically with the politics of this global urban imagination and to consider the broader

In conclusion, "How to Build a Global City" by Michele Acuto is a thought-provoking and insightful book that delves into the rise global city and its implications for urban planning and management. Acuto's unique elite ethnography provides a valuable perspective on the complex relationship between global city theory and urban public policy practice, challenging readers to engage more critically with the politics of this global urban imagination and to consider the

In conclusion, "How to Build a Global City" by Michele Acuto is a thought-provoking and insightful book that delves into the rise

In conclusion, "How to Build a Global City" by Michele Acuto is a thought-provoking and insightful book that delves into the complex relationship between global city theory and urban public policy practice. Acuto's unique elite ethnography provides a valuable perspective on the complex relationship between global city theory and urban public policy practice, challenging readers to engage more critically with the politics of this global urban imagination and to consider the

In conclusion, "How to Build a Global City" by Michele Acuto is a thought-provoking and insightful book that delves into the complex relationship between global city theory and urban public policy practice. Acuto's unique elite ethnography provides a valuable perspective on the complex relationship between global city theory and urban public policy practice, challenging readers to engage more critically with the politics of this global urban imagination and to consider the

Weight: 394g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501761300