Ana Isabel Duch T-Figueras

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.

Cities are growing more quickly than ever. As centers of economic, political and social life, urban areas are responsible for the vast majority of the world's energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; they are the main contributors to air, noise, water and land pollution; they generate large quantities of waste; they are voracious consumers of natural resources; and they are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change. Given the current rates of urbanization, the environmental impacts of cities are giving rise to urgent concerns. How can city managers develop and deploy innovative initiatives and programs that can mitigate the negative environmental effects of urbanization? Can cities be part of the solution to overcome the current environmental challenges? Due to the higher population density and more effi cient allocation of resources in cities, can urban areas even be environmental pluses? This volume is part of a book series called "IESE Cities in Motion: International urban best practices." Cities and the Environment focuses on the effects of urbanization on our planet, and it aims to be: - an insightful analysis of the main environmental challenges that city governments face, - a catalog of international urban best practices on environmental issues, - a tool to help city managers and policy makers around the world develop innovative ideas and groundbreaking strategies in their endeavor to create green, sustainable and resilient urban areas that can improve people's quality of life.