But to a large extent these took place within the inter-state system, where the key articulators were national states. There have long been cross-border economic processes-flows of capital, labor, goods, raw materials, and tourists. One of the key properties of the current phase is the ascendance of information technologies and the associated increase in the mobility and liquidity of capital.

11.1 By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slumsġ1.2 By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older personsġ1.3 By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countriesġ1.4 Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritageġ1.5 By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situationsġ1.6 By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste managementġ1.7 By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilitiesġ1.A Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planningġ1.B By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levelsġ1.Each phase in the long history of the world economy raises specific questions about the particular conditions that make it possible.

Global cities, inc