To What Extent Is It Possible To Say That Docklands Represent The New London As A Global City ?

A global city is a city generally considered to be an important node in the global economic system. It is also called world city, alpha city or world center. The concept comes from geography and urban studies and rests on the idea that globalization can be understood as largely created, facilitated, and enacted in strategic geographic locales according to a hierarchy of importance to the operation of the global system of finance and trade. London’s docklands lie to the east of the City and are mostly north of the River Thames. They stretch from Tower Bridge to Woolwich and are the legacy of the trading power of the British Empire. The docks went into decline after the Second World War, but in the 1980s the regeneration of London's docklands started. While most of the warehouses and wharves have been demolished many have been converted into apartments, and on the Isle of Dogs the Canary Wharf financial district has been created. Canary Wharf is in the heart of London's docklands and because of its facilities makes an excellent hub from which to explore.

To what extent is it possible to say that Docklands represent the new London as a global city ?

Firstly, we will see that London docklands and London as a global city have many similarities. Also that London docks tend to be evolving as well as a typical global city.

A global city has many characteristics. Such as a variety of international financial services. Notably in finance (for example Standard Chartered), insurance (Prudential), real estate, banking (Barclays), accountancy and marketing. And headquarters of several multinational

corporations : Shell, Unilever. As a global city, London has a considerable decision-making

power on a daily basis and at a global level, the full council (a meeting of all council members) is

responsible for all decisions. The existence of a stock exchange support the fact that London is an

alpha city : London Stock Exchange. Exchange had a market capitalization of US$ 3.266 trillion,

making it the fourth-largest stock exchange in the world (and the largest in Europe). This explains

the UK domination of the trade and economy of a large surrounding area with major manufacturing

centers with port and container facilities. The worldwide connectivity reenforces London’s world city

status. London’s airport is a transport hub to many destinations, Europe and the world. All of

London’s airport terminals see more than 100,000 flights per month.

Also, the high-quality in educational institutions, including renowned universities (UCL, King’s

College, London School of Economics and Political Science), international student attendance and

research facilities make London a center of new ideas and innovation in business, economics,

culture and politics. Additional Great Britain’s prestigious universities as such as Cambridge,

Oxford or Saint Andrews. Finally,

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