Joan Enric Ricart Costa

CITIES and INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH Joan Enric Ricart Costa

From the ancient trading cities to modern networked global cities, urban areas are usually the gateways to other markets, the arrival and departure points of migrants, and global hubs of information, innovation and knowledge flows. With rising urbanization and technology-driven globalization, the number of exchanges taking place in cities is escalating to levels never experienced before. This new pivotal role in the architecture of global networks of exchange has the potential to offer important economic, social and cultural opportunities to cities, enabling them to attract global capital and talent, as well as to increase their global influence and recognition. However, the intensified global competition on an international scale can also result in huge challenges and negative consequences for cities around the world. What are the common challenges and opportunities that cities face in the international arena? How can city leaders and urban managers design and implement global strategies that allow them to reap the benefits brought by increased connectivity and globalization while dealing with the negative effects of increased competition? What kinds of strategies can make global cities more attractive, competitive, and resilient? This volume is part of a book series called "IESE Cities in Motion: International Urban Best Practices." Cities and International Outreach focuses on the challenges and opportunities of urban centers at the international level, and it provides: - a review of the main trends and challenges of global cities- a collection of international best practices on how cities can increase their urban attractiveness, international visibility, and global recognition- a tool to help city administrators and policymakers in their efforts to develop initiatives, strategies, and policies to take advantage of the benefits brought by increased connectivity and to increase their voice and influence on the international stage.