The Globalization and World Cities Research Network, commonly abbreviated to GaWC, is a think tank that studies the relationships between world cities in the context of globalization. It is based in the geography department of Loughborough University in Leicestershire, United Kingdom. GaWC was founded by Peter J. Taylor in 1998.
GaWC city classification[]
The GaWC examines cities worldwide to narrow them down to a roster of world cities, then ranks these based on their connectivity through four "advanced producer services": accountancy, advertising, banking/finance, and law. The GaWC inventory ranks city economics more heavily than political or cultural factors. Beyond the categories of "Alpha" world cities (with four sub-categories), "Beta" world cities (three sub-categories) and "Gamma" world cities (three sub-categories), the GaWC cities include additional cities at "High sufficiency" and "Sufficiency" level.
The 2004 rankings added several new indicators while continuing to rank city economics more heavily than political or cultural factors. The 2008 roster, similar to the 1998 version, is sorted into categories of Alpha world cities (with four sub-categories), Beta world cities (three sub-categories), Gamma world cities (three sub-categories), and additional cities with High sufficiency or Sufficiency presence.
2018 city classification[]
The cities in the 2018 classification are as follows.
Alpha[]
Alpha level cities are linked to major economic states and regions and into the world economy, and are classified into four sections, Alpha ++, Alpha +, Alpha and Alpha − cities.
Alpha ++[]
Alpha ++ cities are cities most integrated with the global economy:
- File:Flag of El Kadsre.svg El Kadsre City
- File:Flag of Kadersaryina.svg Kadestristch
- File:Flag of Clyohraira.svg Kalsmark
- File:Flag of Clyohraira.svg Saisan
Alpha +[]
Alpha + cities are highly integrated cities, filling advanced service needs:
- File:Flag of Clyohraira.svg Aubygauba
- File:Flag of El Kadsre.svg Glonisla
- File:Flag of Clyohraira.svg Wlaglwof
Alpha[]
- File:Flag of Clyohraira.svg Doyargrad
- File:Flag of Clyohraira.svg Jaumalwe
Alpha −[]
- File:Flag of Clyohraira.svg Taffiariburg
Beta[]
Beta level cities are cities that link moderate economic regions to the world economy and are classified in three sections, Beta +, Beta and Beta − cities.
Beta +[]
Beta[]
Beta −[]
Gamma[]
Gamma level cities are cities that link smaller economic regions into the world economy, and are classified into three sections, Gamma +, Gamma and Gamma − cities.
Gamma +[]
Gamma[]
Gamma −[]
Sufficiency[]
Sufficiency level cities are cities that have a sufficient degree of services so as not to be overtly dependent on world cities. This is sorted into High Sufficiency cities and Sufficiency cities.
High Sufficiency[]
Sufficiency[]
No longer classified[]
The following cities were included in the 2016 edition, but not in the 2018 edition.
1998 city classification[]
The cities in the 1998 (first) classification are the following:
Alpha world cities (full service world cities)[]
In the 1998 data, numbers indicate world city-ness values ranging from 1 - 12.
12[]
- File:Flag of El Kadsre.svg El Kadsre City
- File:Flag of Kadersaryina.svg Kadestristch
11[]
- File:Flag of El Kadsre.svg Glonisla
10[]
Beta world cities (major world cities)[]
9[]
8[]
7[]
Gamma world cities (minor world cities)[]
6[]
5[]
4[]
Evidence of world city formation[]
Relatively strong evidence[]
Some evidence[]
- File:Flag of Gaburayon.svg Gaburayon City
Minimal evidence[]
- File:Flag of Clyohraira.svg Kalsmark
- File:Flag of Clyohraira.svg Saisan
- File:Flag of Clyohraira.svg Wlaglwof