This study was the first systematically to cover those cities beyond the core that most clearly can be considered world cities: Bangkok, Cairo, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Mexico City, Moscow, Mumbai, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, and Singapore. Fourteen leading authorities from diverse backgrounds bring their expertise to bear on these cities across four continents and consider the major regional and global roles they play in economic, political, and cultural life. Conveying how these cities have followed various pathways to their present position, they offer multiple perspectives on the interplay of internal and external forces and demonstrate that any comprehensive discussion of world cities has to engage a multiplicity of perspectives. With an introduction by Josef Gugler and an afterword from Saskia Sassen, this substantial volume makes a major contribution to the world cities literature and provides an important impetus for further analysis.

‘The book represents quite a unique endeavour. Overall the book is well researched and provides interesting reading. Given its multidisciplinary approach, it is of interest to a large, not necessarily specialized, audience. By looking at how these developing country cities take part in and are affected by globalization processes, the authors contribute not only to the debate on the local and the global (‘globalization‘), but they also tell the reader a sometimes fascinating story about these cities.‘

Source: International Affairs

‘… Gugler has masterminded a welcome break out of the mould of city analysis …‘

Source: Urban Studies

'There is rich material here for scholars striving to understand the specific local implications of global forces.'

Source: Population and Development Review