12 - Reflections

Summary

The analog age of cities is over, giving way to a digitally linked network of cities that has been so thoroughly theorized by world cities scholars. This is one of the most politically precarious periods in history, as climate change washes away any sense of permanence in intercity relations. The archipelago of cities as we know it could be reconfigured beyond recognition during this century if current patterns of greenhouse gas emissions hold. In that case, alpha cities will do what they once did: Manage resource scarcity and consolidation rather than abundance. This chapter reiterates the importance of understanding intercity relations from the past in order to better understand the sweeping changes that may come – especially if the city returns to its original form as a key autonomous player in world politics, as world cities studies predict. It revisits the book’s cases, emphasizing the hopeful potential for cities in an urban age, and taking into account theoretical implications within world cities studies.