LESSON N°2  : NEW YORK, A GLOBAL CITY

INTRODUCTION

- How could you define a Global city ?

                    Saskia Sassen shaped the term “Global City” in 1991. The Dutch-American woman is a professor of sociology at Columbia University.

Listen the interview and try to sum up Saskia Sassen’s answers. 

- Why global economy makes cities more and more important?

- What are the characteristics of global cities?

- What do global cities change in terms of politics?

I) NYC as a symbol of globalization

 How does NYC embody the process of Globalization ?

A) Its political influence

B) NYC as international hub

C) NYC and tourism flows

Being both a megapolis and a international hub, connected with the rest of the world, NYC is of course a major centre for international tourism:

Go to :https://www.osc.state.ny.us/reports/osdc/tourism-industry-new-york-city

a) Answer questions :

1) what are the main activities of tourist during their stay in NYC ?

2) Is the tourism a vital component of the NYC's economy ?

3) What is the trend since the COVID-19 pandemic ? ( video)

4) What is the definition of a tourist ?

5) How  many tourists does the city receive each year ?

6) Who are the international visitors? ( draw a portrait...) 

b) Watch the video :

Most of tourists coming to NYC are interested in culture.... choose elements  to  argue (  so continue sentences ..... with solid knowledge)

Numerous places of interest....

Numerous Museums....

Shopping aeras...

Entertainment structures....

D) Its population is an embodiment of the salad bowl.

Go to :

https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/bendavidov/?page_id=17

What is the meaning of the Salad Bowl theory?

Go to :

https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/new-york-city-ny-population

1) What is the NYC's population in 2023?

2) What is the increase since the last census?

3) What is the population density?

4) How many languages are spoken in NYC ? What is the main feature of languages in NYC ?

5) Which borough has the higuest population increase ?

6) What is the racial composition of NY ?

https://www.6sqft.com/map-shows-where-foreign-born-new-yorkers-live/

1) What is the part of foreign-born in  NYC ?

2) Where do  they come from?

https://www.lawfirm1.com/faqs/reasons-for-us-immigration/

How to explain the migration to USA/NYC ?  

II) What are the main aspects of the power of NYC ?

A) Manhattan, the very heart of this power

Indeed Manhattan is the place where most  of major economic activities, and especially in the scope of finances, are concentrated. Day in day out, 2 million people come to work in Manhattan.

Most of these activities are located in two Central Business Districts ( CBD) : Dowtown and Midtown; this latter being the largest CBD in the world. 

Both contrate high-level activities : TNCs headquaters, banking, insurance companies... So most of employees are white-neckers among which some are known for earning huge wages. Considering financial services alone, this sector represents about 345,000 jobs in Manhattan, but more than 50 % of the amount of wages.

Useless to say the 9/11 attacks caused immense trauma in Manhattan destroying 4% of Manhattan's total office space. Where the twin towers once stood, is now "Ground Zero" and its Memorial, around which new buildings have been erected. They include the famous One World Trade Center, the highest building in the whole USA with its 541.32 m high, corresponding to 1, 776 feet as a symbol ( 1776 being the date of the Declaration of Independence).

B) A very Influential financial sector.

Go to : 

NASDAQ vs NYSE - Difference and Comparison | Diffen

1) What is a Stock Exchange ?

2) What are the two largest Stock Exchanges in the world ? ( write the meaning of acronyms)

3) Where are the location of these famous Stock Exchanges?

4) When have they been created ?

5) What type market do these stock exchange quote? 

6) Write some companies which depend of these two markets. 

According to these documents :

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/shifting-perspectives-the-top-financial-centers-in-the-world/

https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/inbq6d/top_world_financial_centers_20082020/

1) What is the weight of NYC in the global system financial center ?

2) How qualify the evolution of NYC as financial center?

3) Which cities are the main rivals of NYC ? Why ?

c) Other aspects of the economic power

1) What is a Transnational Coroporation ?

2) Go to :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companies_based_in_New_York_City

a) How many American companies headquarters can be found in NYC ?

b) What kind of industries ? ( the main industries + several examples)

3°) Go to : 

The History of New York’s Silicon Alley (theculturetrip.com)

a) What / Where t is the Silicon Alley ?

b) What kind of industies we can meet there?

4) Show that NYC is also very influential in the scope of culture industry ( becoming " the media capital of the world")

https://edc.nyc/industry/media-and-culture

III° What are the main difficulties and challenges NYC has got to cope with ?

A) Social difficulties as a most worrying problem:

Personnal researches:

- Define the poverty line in the USA ( federal poverty line )  and the poverty line in NYC

- Who is the current mayor of NY ( quick biography) ?

Go to :

https://www.thecity.nyc/2022/1/3/22865699/poverty-trends-future-nyc

1) How has the poverty line evolved since the 2010's

2) What could you notice if you observe poverty rates  by race and ethnicity ?

3) What could you notice  if you observe poverty rates by borough ?

4) "Geographic divides persisted despiste de Blasio 's pledge to " end the tale of two cities" Try to explain the quote ( Who was Bill de blasio?,  "the tales of two cities" : which cultural reference ?.... and the meaning of the quote) 

Go to :

https://scaany.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NYS-Child-Poverty-Facts_Feb2021.pdf

1) Characterize NY State Child poverty.

2) How explain these facts?

2) What are the solutions to fight this issue?

Go to :

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-03-21/nyc-jobless-rates-double-u-s-averages-in-struggle-with-post-covid-recovery

1) What is the unemployment trend in NYC ?

2) What factors explain the situation?

B) Spatial discrepancies ( disparités) within the city:

1)What are the empowerment zones in the USA  ? (  date, objectives, financial aspects)

https://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/exhibits/show/economic-inclusion-in-the-clin/empowerment-zones-and-enterpri

2) What are the main characteristics of the empowerment zone in New York state ? ( which zones ? , projects...)

https://esd.ny.gov/new-york-empowerment-zone-program

3) Write the definition of Gentrification

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gentrification

4) Gentrification in Harlem

a)Where is West Harlem in NYC ?

b)Who are the established residents and the new residents?

c) What are the signs of change ( retails sale , buildings...)

d) What are the consequences for the established residents ?

e) What is the current economic health of Harlem ?

https://eportfolios.macaulay.cuny.edu/genyc/harlem/

5)The real estate:

a) What are the price of a rent in NYC ?

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/nyc-continues-to-be-the-priciest-city-to-rent-an-apartment-083122

b) Which boroughs are the most affordable ?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/real-estate-2023-1m-buys-130010246.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAKXQli6uzqXBYjAp1TxKCysrJVpo54XrHYhpbIh7jF6enNn_m0hz-dFB-tEvc3cJpDIDYdB15B5gg1llyCnt_iDNK7eN7Y0qQbXpQkfBKTofOtulpb-WYyTIV3BXywH33ioLyja1MIcgIixu-uE-ehKH2tvN0J_Fy1Z-yv9tIFFV

c) What are the consequences for the most of the people ?

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/nyc-has-the-most-stressful-commute-in-the-u-s-090122

6) Homeless

https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/basic-facts-about-homelessness-new-york-city-data-and-charts/

SUJET DNL :

RAPPEL :

Cette première partie de l'épreuve dure 10 minutes. L'idéal est de 8 minutes plus deux minutes de questions des examinateurs.

Il faut regarder les examinateurs (par exemple entre chaque étape, au moment du changement d'axe...)

Vous avez droit au brouillon, le jour de l'épreuve, vous aurez 20 minutes de préparation.

Introduction :

Phrase d'accroche

présentations des documents en mettant l'accent sur l'idée générale et le contexte

problématique : vous devez la trouver

annonce de plan.

Un plan en deux ou trois axes

chaque axe se compose d'une idée introduite par un connecteur logique puis vous la justifiez par vos observations des documents (citations, différents plans d'une photographie...) et vous enrichissez les documents à l'aide de vos connaissances ( adaptées au sujet).

Il faut respecter  ces attentes :ce n'est  pas une récitation d'une leçon , vous ne pouvez pas paraphraser les documents.

Une conclusion

réponse à la problématique, élargir le sujet.

Geography :

The London mayor : Sadiq Khan :

his short  biography :https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-36140479

his reelection : https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2021/may/09/sadiq-khan-wins-second-term-as-london-mayor-hails-overwhelming-mandate-2300408.html

 Ultra low emission zone :    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9579173/Sadiq-Khan-confirms-expand-Ultra-Low-Emission-Zone.html

Skyscrapers : http://www.passion-gratte-ciel.com/GRATTE-CIEL%20DE%20LONDRES.htm

The next project : https://www.dezeen.com/2020/11/03/tulip-tower-foster-partners-peter-murray-coronavirus/

History :

https://www.2gb.com/podcast/the-london-blitz-ended-80-years-ago/

Révisions : WWII:

- LONDON: best city in the world ?

1) Introduce the document

2) Try to write elements about......

 Travail format PDF:

I) Global city’s functions and features

A) Financial and economic functions

B) Political and cultural functions

LESSON :

Travail à réaliser:

The docklands: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/britainfromabove/stories/buildingbritain/thedocks.shtml

SKYSCRAPERS:

II) An organized and attractive city

A) A city, which is connected to the world.

Thursday 17  March 2022:

B) A multicultural and cosmopolitan city.

1° What are the largest ethnic multicultural groups in London?

2°How to explain the ranking?

3° Where do they live in London (Boroughs, inner or outer London .....) Sources C & D

4° What can you notice in the borough of Kensington, Chelsea, Westminster and Brent? Source B

5° Which reasons may explain the arrivals of these foreigners in London?  Source E

Wednesday, 6th April 2022:

A) The Inequalities

Go to : https://www.trustforlondon.org.uk/data/key-facts-london-poverty-and-inequality/

Answer questions:

How many Londoners  live  below the poverty line ?

Which economical issues can  explain this poverty ?( 3 keys)

How the wealth is share in London?

Go to:https://www.trustforlondon.org.uk/data/poverty-across-london/

Which parts of London seem to be affected by poverty?( You have to give numbers and locate boroughs)

Go to :

https://ruthlesscollective.org/mag/gentrification-in-east-london-the-good-the-bad-and-the-hipster?format=amp

 https://ruthlesscollective.org/mag/gentrification-in-east-london-the-good-the-bad-and-the-hipster

What is the gentrification ?

What are the changes in these neighbourhoods ? ( Social, economical....)

B) The housing and urban renewal

Housing in London is one of the most expensive in the world. Rents have become less and less affordable for more and more Londoners. Prices have become so high that more and more people working in London do not live in London anymore, having gone to more and more remote outskirts, where prices are much cheaper. These urban migrations have resulted into a new kind of problem: traffic congestions along the whole roads net surrounding London or entering it (Commuters).

Many initiatives try to improve these issues:

Ex. The Olympic Village (JO, 2012) was built in East London, in the borough of Tower Hamlets, previously a poor and decaying (dégradé) area. Now these buildings have become a new housing opportunity for Londoners, with modern equipment  (according to the sustainable development principles)

Many London's site were integrated into the city after the event:

The Queen Elizabeth Park hosts many events.

2 temporary venues were removed : The Water Polo Arena was disassembled and the Basketball Arena was dismantled...

8 permanent venues such as the Olympic Center ( West Ham United), the Copper box arena ( an arena for sporting events, exhibitions and Concerts), The Olympic village turned into a residential district ( housing: 2,818 Homes), The Media Center was transformed in a digital hub.

Ex. BedZED experience  is an eco-village, located in the borough of Sutton ( South of London)

 Ex. BedZED :  The Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED)  is located in the London borough of Sutton. The objective was to enable people to live sustainably without sacrificing a modern, urban and mobile lifestyle. In the words of the developers, the aim was to make sustainability ‘easy, attractive and affordable’ 

C) A polluted city.

The city is plagued with traffic congestion and pollution. Two million people in London are living with illegal air pollution. 

London is attempting to be sustainable by encouraging the use of public transport. In an attempt to reduce traffic congestion, London has adopted and improved several schemes:

- Congestion Charging zone (since 2003) - this has discouraged people from driving their own vehicles in central London. A fee of £11.50 is charged to any vehicle travelling in central London between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

- Bike sharing scheme - bicycles can be self-hired in many public places in London for as little as £2 for short journeys. This has encouraged many people to cycle, reducing traffic congestion.

The destruction of English cities during WWII

Introduction:

Reprendre le premier tableau avec les faits historiques datés à maîtriser:

The miracle of Dunkirk (operation Dynamo), The battle of Britain, The Blitz

Axe I:  The bombing of English cities: a strategic theatre of operation in a global war

The German strategic purposes

Axe 2: The bombing of British cities during WW2:  a war of annihilation?

 A) The Coventry Blitz

1° Read the History of  The Coventry Blitz: 

2° Answer these questions:

1) Locate Coventry ( the map is under the questions).

2) When did the most important air raid on Conventry take place ?

3) Why this town was targeted ? (What is Hitler’s plan ? )

4) Why this operation was codenamed Moonlight Sonata?

5) Try to describe  the course of the bombing ( duration, How  many bombs…  Which Kind..)

6) What was  the material damage  ?

7)  Which  famous building was  destroyed  during the Blitz?

8)  What is the death toll ?

9)  Why the  Mass Observation 's statements  disturb the government ?   ( try to explain)

10) What is the meaning of "Coventrate" in German ?

11) What is the Churchill 's legend around this bombing ( =  the Churchill Dilemma) ?

Try to explain, you need to go there :

https://winstonchurchill.org/resources/myths/coventry-what-really-happened/

 B) The evacuation

1° Read the lesson and answer questions:

       1)   Try to find the meaning of  "Operation Pied Piper"  and make the link with the evacuation.

       2)  Did the children evacuation compulsory ?

       3)  How many evacuation phases could you notice ? ( Introduce them)

       4) Present the typical profile of an evacuated child.

       5) Who were the other evacuees ? 

       6) How were children welcomed by foster famillies? Where were the host families located?

       7) What  reasons explain the difficult return of children at home ?

       8) Try to explain what was the Beveridge report ?

2°  Watch the videos:

 A propaganda film :

Try to listen two testimonies or more....:

Axe 3 :  The Blitz spirit : myth or reality ?

A) London can take it ! ( The myth ?)

B) London can't take it ( The reality ?)

LESSON 1:

LESSON 2:

 facultatif : The Blitz in popular culture

Listen the video and answer questions:

CI-dessous informations à reprendre :

Version finale :

In July 2005 the british Prime Minister Tony Blair ( Labor party) spoke to reporters on the day of the terrorist attacks on London's transport systems. The attacks coincided with the G8 Summit at Gleneagles in Scotland that T. Blair and other world leaders were attending. Three underground trains and one double decker bus were blown up killing more than 50 people.