Global Cities: GUS 0831 Section 6: Dr. Max Andrucki C 170160

Global Cities: GUS 0831 Section 6: Dr. Max Andrucki City Profile First

Many scholars disagree with the narrow terms on which the GaWC group has ranked these cities. For this assignment, write a 5-7 page report making a case for whether this city does or does not deserve its ranking on the GaWC list. Investigate their criteria for ranking cities, but profile your city by presenting evidence on the following broader criteria: its economic base and how “globalized” its economy seems to be; its demographic & cultural characteristics; levels of poverty, informality, and migration; political significance; the city’s history & projected future; and anything else you think is important in making a city “global.” Begin the report with an introductory paragraph that includes your thesis statement, such as a sentence like “In this paper I argue that…”. The paper needs a conclusion that reiterates your own argument in light of the evidence you have presented. The paper should be double-spaced, in 12-point font, with one-inch margins. You should use at least 10 high-quality sources, including at least 4 peer-reviewed academic journal articles, academic books, high-quality newspapers (e.g., NY Times, The Economist, The Guardian), and reputable online & print sources (World Bank, UNDP, etc.), all properly referenced in APA or Harvard styles. References should include concrete, formatted entries; do not include placeholder instructions or meta-instructions or incomplete references. The final paper should be about 1000 words, with proper citations, and formatted for clarity and SEO-friendliness, including semantic HTML structure.

Paper For Above instruction

For this analysis, I have selected a city from the GaWC list that warrants reconsideration of its current ranking: Buenos Aires, Argentina. According to the GaWC classifications, Buenos Aires is categorized as a gamma city, implying that it is a significant global city that links smaller regions or states into the world economy, yet it might not have the extensive advanced producer services characteristic of higher-ranked cities like London or New York. However, a comprehensive examination of Buenos Aires’s economic, demographic, political, and cultural attributes suggests that its influence and integration into the global economy transcend its gamma designation, warranting a reassessment of its ranking.

Economic Base and Globalization

Buenos Aires's economy is characterized by a diverse structure, including finance, manufacturing, services, and agriculture. The city serves as Argentina’s financial hub, hosting the central bank and numerous multinational corporations’ regional offices. Its port facilitates significant trade, making it a key gateway to the South American continent (World Bank, 2022). The financial sector demonstrates extensive links with global markets through foreign investment, remittances, and commodity trade (FAO, 2021). Despite economic volatility, Buenos Aires maintains a relatively open economy compared to other Latin American cities, which enhances its globalization profile (Munck & O’Hearn, 2019). Its participation in regional trade agreements, such as Mercosur, further embeds Buenos Aires into broader economic networks, aligning with characteristics of more globalized urban centers.

Demographic and Cultural Characteristics

The city is home to approximately 3 million residents in its core area, with a metropolitan population exceeding 15 million, making it the most populous city in Argentina (National Institute of Statistics and Censuses, 2020). Buenos Aires exhibits a vibrant cultural scene, rich in European influences, literature, arts, and media. Its cosmopolitan nature attracts diverse migrant populations from Europe, Latin America, and Asia, contributing to multiculturalism that reinforces its global city identity (Luna & Jonsson, 2018). The city's cultural institutions, theaters, galleries, and international events are recognized worldwide, positioning Buenos Aires as a regional cultural capital (UNESCO, 2021). This demographic and cultural vibrancy enhances its stature as a global city, facilitating international connections and cultural exports.

Poverty, Informality, and Migration

Despite its global prominence, Buenos Aires grapples with significant socio-economic challenges, including persistent poverty levels, informal employment, and high migration. Approximately 25% of the population lives below the national poverty line, which affects social cohesion and urban inequality (World Bank, 2022). Informal sectors dominate employment, especially in construction, retail, and street vending, complicating efforts to formalize the economy (ILO, 2019). Migration from neighboring countries, particularly Venezuela and Paraguay, has increased in recent years, adding to the city’s demographic complexity and strain on social services (OAS, 2020). These factors, while highlighting social fragility, also reflect the city’s resilience and openness—traits common to global cities that serve as hubs for international migrants and migrants seeking economic opportunities.

Political Significance

As the political capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires holds significant influence within national and regional politics. It hosts key government institutions, political organizations, and international diplomatic missions. The city has historically been a center of political activism, with a tradition of social movements, protests, and policy debates that resonate nationally and regionally (Levitsky & Ziblatt, 2018). The political stability or instability directly impacts Argentina’s economic performance and regional integration, positioning Buenos Aires as a crucial node in Latin American geopolitics. Its diplomatic prominence and engagement in regional organizations further elevate its political importance on the global stage.

Historical Context and Future Projections

Buenos Aires's history as a colonial port and later as the capital of an aspiring economic power has shaped its global connections. The city’s architecture, cultural institutions, and neighborhoods reflect a colonial heritage fused with modern influences. Historically, its economic cycles have aligned with global trends—boom periods of immigration and trade contrast with crises marked by economic recessions and political upheaval (Klein, 2016). Looking forward, Buenos Aires faces challenges such as economic reforms, urban renewal, and climate change but also opportunities for expansion into digital economies and sustainable development (OECD, 2022). Its strategic location, cultural assets, and educated workforce suggest that Buenos Aires could enhance its global economic footprint, potentially justifying a higher GaWC ranking in the future.

Additional Considerations

Infrastructure, connectivity, and technological adoption are essential metrics for global city status. Buenos Aires has relatively advanced infrastructure—international airports, port facilities, and a developed urban transit system—but faces ongoing issues of congestion and urban sprawl (City Population, 2021). Internet penetration and digital innovation are growing, supporting its role as a regional digital hub, though it still lags behind leading global cities with more advanced tech ecosystems (IDB, 2020). Nonetheless, its strategic geographic position and cultural capital position contribute to its potential for increased integration into the global economy.

Conclusion

In this paper, I argue that Buenos Aires’s economic diversity, vibrant cultural scene, historical importance, and strategic location demonstrate that it currently exceeds its GaWC gamma ranking and merits reconsideration as a higher-level global city. While socio-economic challenges persist, the city’s resilience, international connectivity, and evolving infrastructure suggest that its global influence continues to expand. Given these factors, Buenos Aires should be recognized as a city with substantial global capacity, perhaps warranting an upgrade in the GaWC classification system. This re-evaluation underscores the importance of broader criteria beyond advanced producer services to understanding a city’s true global significance, which Buenos Aires exemplifies.

References

  • City Population. (2021). Buenos Aires metropolitan area population. Retrieved from https://citypopulation.de/en/argentina/greaterbuenosaires/
  • FAO. (2021). Argentina’s Agricultural Sector Overview. Food and Agriculture Organization. https://www.fao.org/argentina/en/
  • IDB. (2020). Technology and Innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean. Inter-American Development Bank. https://publications.iadb.org/en/
  • Klein, H. S. (2016). A concise history of Argentina. Cambridge University Press.
  • Levitsky, S., & Ziblatt, D. (2018). How democracies die. Bloomsbury Publishing.
  • Luna, J., & Jansson, J. (2018). Latin American urban cultures. Routledge.
  • Munck, R., & O’Hearn, D. (2019). The Globalization of Latin America. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • National Institute of Statistics and Censuses. (2020). Census Data. https://www.indec.gob.ar/
  • OECD. (2022). Urban Green Growth in Latin America. OECD Green Growth Studies. https://www.oecd.org/
  • UNESCO. (2021). Cultural Cities in Latin America. UNESCO Reports. https://en.unesco.org/
  • World Bank. (2022). Argentina Economic Overview. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/argentina

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