Processes of globalisation and small and medium-sized cities

Abstract

Progressive urbanization, economic integration, and development of modern technologies lead to the emergence of a new generation of globally networked cities attracting capital, ideas and people. Size is not the most significant factor influencing the importance of a city. At least equally important are innovation, activity in city networks, the activity of the inhabitants and the quality of life. 15 years ago, Taylor et al. suggested that “it is no longer possible to talk of ‘non-global’ cities” (Taylor et al., 2007, p. 185). The research problem of this paper corresponds with the statement, addressing the question whether and how small and medium-sized cities show their manifestations of globalization. The hypothesis is that cities, regardless of size, show some signs of it. Such manifestations may be classified as political, economic, socio-cultural, and other. The conclusions confirm that the hypothesis has been positively verified. As a result of the application of probability sampling methods, the cities chosen for examination include the European cities of Aarhus (Denmark), Basel (Switzerland), and Tallinn (Estonia) as they are representative for numerous small and medium-sized cities.