The Chaotic, Fractal and Complex City

The term “Creative City” was coined by Richard Florida in The Rise of the Creative Class (2). He states that some cities attract those that are creative due to certain amenities. He states that those that are creative cities are those that rank high in the “Three T’s”-- Technology, Talent and Tolerance. Florida outlines what cities should do to become Creative Cities. Florida thinks that the economic development strategies that many cities use such as tax incentives are inadequate and not suitable for what Florida calls the Creative Age (my italics). He advocates center city redevelopment, a wide range of cultural opportunities, linkages between universities and the private sector, and a tolerant environment. (For further articles about the Creative class and Creative Cities go to Florida's webpage--CreativeClass.org http://www.creativeclass.org/ .) However, all are not convinced by Florida’s findings and prescriptions. In an opposing viewpoint, Malanga (3) states that Florida’s th...

It would be naive to state that all people and all places are equally ‘plugged’ into the global network. The richer nations are more connected to this network than the poorer nations. Some cities in the world also possess greater communication access and speed than other cities. Technology is creating another layer of the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots among countries. It could be redirected to assist in improving the status of ecnomically struggling economies. Could developing nations accelerate their level of economic development by increasing their global connectivity? Instead of giving nations economic aid for expensive capital improvement projects should national and international agencies be giving them computers, setting up Internet providors, developing networks and helping them to increase their levels of computer literacy? Can greater connection to the global communication network allow developing regions to ‘by-pass’ the traditional obstacles in development? These arguments may be s...

Key cities for centuries have been the centers of culture. These nodes have been where the recourses of civilizations, both human and material capital, have been focused. The centers of culture have changed through out the centuries mostly based on the economic strength and trading with the outside world. Some cultures and cities are still felt in our overall world culture today even though they have made have long passed into the backwaters of cultural influence. The influences of the Greeks, Romans, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Germans, Russians, English, Italians, French, Spanish and the Ottoman Empire are still present in our world today. These cultures were focused on several key cities: Athens, Amsterdam, Rome, Vienna, London, Paris, Madrid, Istanbul (Constantinople) and Berlin. There were other centers of culture which were important in the development of Western culture such as Florence, Venice, Milan, Budapest, Barcelona and Prague. Think about the world without these cities. Alt...

What cities are 'global cities' ? What is the meaning of global cities and how do they influence global culture? Some like Sassen state that global cities are 'command centers' for the global economy. Does this extend to centers of culture? Does New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris and Milan determine the global world culture? What are the roles of regional culture? As the world is becoming more intergrated, is there a danger in the world becoming too homogenized? (This has been referred to as 'McDonaldlization'.) Is there a 'New Economy' developing? These are some of the questions while I am in the process of preparing my upcoming article. I would appreciate any comments.

Presently, I am doing research related to the cultural economy of urbanized areas. This topic is linked to globalization, global cities, and economic development. I am focusing on the cultural economy of Istanbul, Turkey. Later, I hope to post my draft article for review. I would apppreciate any comments related to the cultural economy of cities.