4.+Environmental+Change

Environmental Change

Urban landscapes. What’s the difference? (pic 1 is Cape Town, Pic 2 is Birmingham) Best global brands [] Coke No 1 – valued at $70 billion and has 100000 followers on Twitter Google no 4 (increase on 36% this year) valued at $44 billion Starbucks map [] Fast food map [] shopping malls []

p609 PG As a result of globalization, many large cities are losing the distinctive cultural characteristics they once had. More uniform economic systems are adopted TNCs = key decision makers – very influential So leads to homogenization of urban landscapes World cities can be defined as those cities that have outstripped their national urban networks and become part of the global economic system. They perform similar urban functions, including being centres of political power, world trade and communications, leaders in banking & finance and places where major entertainment and sporting spectacles are staged. Etc. Their influence extends beyond national boundaries.

See Handout Venice Coke row article See Handout dying languages sheet Key points See list of companies HK used to be a fishing town – huge change. Now TNCs, Victoria Harbour sponsorship on buildings – changing the landscape TNC focused. Environmental consequences. HK Most homogenized cities associated with skyscrapers – might be one or 2 with ‘individuality’ eg Petronas towers. Because of financial centre = lots of office blocks – perhaps round a river / harbor = v similar skyline Increasing use of high rise skyscraper (due to cost of land) use of metal, glass concrete – due to design / ability to build high. Commercial design firms eg Norman Foster = common design philosophy, leading to homogenization. Less focus on tradition, more contemporary styles of construction. Growing no of rich prosperous people = similar housing / apartments. HK Eg MTR system – accessibility and tunnels eg Lion Rock, new lines. Time is money – infrastructure needs to be good Land reclamation eg Shing Mun river HK build up rather than out, mountains impact on this. Bridge to Macau
 * __Evolution of uniform urban landscapes__**
 * 4 groups each take one bullet point and research and then feedback to the rest of the class**
 * Effects of common commercial activity
 * Structures
 * Styles of construction
 * Infrastructure

Milton Keynes – grid system Loss of village shops Similarities in landscape, clothing etc.