Spaces and exchanges: how does globalization is changing the organization and the file in the cities?

Spaces and exchanges

 How does globalization is changing the organization and the life in the cities?

Spaces are today, defined by the geographical and the symbolic aspect. In this notion, we are going to focus on urban spaces, and more precisely on two global cities: London and Singapore. They are at the crossroad of culturally, economically, politically or scientifically exchanges. Moreover, our world never seemed smaller thanks to communication and transportation.

We may wonder how does globalization is changing the organization and the life in the cities. First, we will see what the origins of these cities were. Then, what does the life look like in a global city? Finally, the impact upon the environment and the solutions brought

I – First, a megacity is a city with several million inhabitants, a dense center and sprawling outskirts

1) Singapore is a recent powerful city. Indeed, in the early 20th century, it was still a small fishing village. We studied a picture, which showed the evolution. Indeed, until 1965, it was a British colony. Nowadays, Singapore is an economic powerhouse: one of the world's highest capita incomes. Therefore, it is an international market place and financial pole

2) But London is different from Singapore: it has always been an important city. Since the Antiquity, it's one of the biggest European cities. In the 19th century, it was the most populated city but also one of the most modern thanks to the industrial revolution

II ¬– Also, there is many advantages to live in such a city but also drawbacks

1) In Singapore, there are high quality schools, high quality health care and public services. It's a magnet for global labor, with high salary. However, also called the "fine city»: the life is very strict. Buildings overcrowd it. There isn't a common culture: the population is composed of Asian, Indian, Malay and European.

2) Nevertheless, London is a cosmopolitan city, with several cultures: approximately 40% of the population is composed of foreigner. It’s one of the biggest economic powers in Europe: the City but also important airport: Heathrow. The most concerning issue is the pollution. In 1952, there have been the great smog, it was a sort of fog: smelly, dirty and black, it came into the houses and made 12 000 dead. A witness said that she wasn't able to see a wall at a few inches only!

III – 1) Singapore and London represent two types of megacities: concentrated and spread out. There is a real drop of energy consumption and an effort to save water. However, there are a lot of pollution and discomfort. Then, cities promote green spaces and a better environment to live. Nevertheless, the consumption of petrol increase, just as the journey time, and consequently damage the biodiversity of countryside.

2) Many projects have been created in order to reduce the pollution. In London, the road congestion charge encourages people to use public transport. For example, Paris's Velib: bikes are in self-service and in London, the Bed ZED: the aim is to make carbon neutral houses, by using solar panels, south facing terraces and bioenergy.

To conclude, I'll say that there are more

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