Leading academics Saskia Sassen and Christian Lefevre today joined Bridget Rosewell, Chief Economist for the Greater London Authority at a unique economic conference in London organised by GLA Economics to look at how global cities must adapt to meet the new threats and opportunities they face in a 21st century global economy.
The conference entitled ‘The Dynamic City’ examined key cities such as New York, Chicago, London, Paris and Madrid that have long histories as centres for economic growth, innovation and technological development yet now see the traditional economic framework and, as in London’s case, the political framework evolving dramatically.
Saskia Sassen, Ralph Lewis Professor of Sociology at the University of Chicago, opened the conference by looking at policy challenges for cities given recent economic trends, new challenges such as terrorism and technological transformations.
Bridget Rosewell discussed why these cities are vital for the UK economy and the important role they play in innovation and growth highlighting the need for investment in infrastructure, transport systems and the environment.
Christian Lefevre, Professor in the French Institute for Urban Affairs at the University of Paris compared the different types of government in London, Paris, Madrid and Rome and the effect they have on public policy development as well as the relations between local government, the metropolitan authority and the state and private sectors.
Saskia Sassen said:
‘It is the deep and distinctive economic history of a city that matters in a global economy producing an international division of specializations among each city. After September 11 many thought that London would replace New York as a financial centre. But that didn’t happen because the internationalism of London is very different from that of New York, and the global market and global firms in finance want both. Global firms and markets do not want just one global city - they want a network which forms a type of strategic infrastructure for global firms and markets. Today there are about 40 such cities, with London, New York, Tokyo, Paris, Frankfurt at the top. We need to examine whether terrorism can alter these patterns. It will certainly, as in New York’s case, push any firm that does not need to be in the centre of a global city, to leave or only retain a critical presence there and suggests that the type of agglomeration of people, firms, talents, knowledge that you have in a major city is still indispensable.’
Bridget Rosewell said:
‘Cities matter. They bring people together and bring business together in one place. This is the dynamic which creates new opportunities, innovation and creativity that drives economic development. Since the mid 1990s, London has grown rapidly in its jobs and its population. It has attracted new investment and people from all over the world. The Dynamic City conference allows us to share ideas as to how London and other cities can attract opportunities and respond to the challenges of economic growth, ensuring that no one is left behind. This highlights the importance of investing in infrastructure for a city's accessibility, investing in people for a city's skills and knowledge and investing in the environment for a city's quality of life.’
The Dynamic City conference was sponsored by Learning and Skills Council, Thames Water, Royal Mail and the University of East London and Knowledge East.
Notes to editors
GLA Economics provides expert advice and analysis on London’s economy and the economic issues facing the capital. Data and analysis from GLA Economics form a basis for the policy and investment decisions facing the Mayor of London and the GLA group. The unit is funded by the Greater London Authority, Transport for London and the London Development Agency.
Saskia Sassen is the Ralph Lewis Professor of Sociology at the University of Chicago, and Centennial Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics. Saskia has just completed a five-year project on sustainable human settlement for UNESCO for which she set up a network of researchers and activists in over 30 countries. Saskia serves on several editorial boards and is an advisor to several international bodies. She is a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a member of the National Academy of Sciences Panel on Cities, and Chair of the Information Technology and International Cooperation Committee of the Social Science Research Council (USA). A prolific author, Saskia coined the concept of the global city and has had her books translated into 16 languages.
Bridget Rosewell is a founding director of Volterra Consulting and the Consultant Chief Economist for GLA Economics which provides economic advice to the Mayor of London, the Greater London Authority, the London Development Agency and Transport for London. Bridget is a former member of the Panel of Independent Forecasters who advised the UK Chancellor.
Christian Lefevre is a professor at the University of Paris in the French Institute for Urban Affairs, a post he has had since 1998. He has a strong background in political science, sociology and planning and completed his studies on both sides of the Atlantic – the University of Bordeaux and at the Graduate School of Planning at UCLA. Recognised as one the leaders in his field, Christian is a member of various working groups and is an expert at the French level in France (City of Paris), for the European Union, public authorities in other European countries (including the UK) and at the international level.
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