As I progress further with this blog I have started looking for interesting aspects of the city, rather than giving a quick history and economic activity. For Taichung I discovered the Global and World Cities Research Network and was interested in learning more.
Twice a year, the Global and World Cities Research Network categorizes cities into four different tiers: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Sufficiency. These are based on the city's international connectedness. Connectivity is based on four areas: accountancy, advertising, banking/finance, and law. Economics are ranked more heavily than political or cultural factors. For example, you would think that Washington, DC would be an Alpha+ city because it is the capital city of the United States, considered to be the leader of the free world. Washington, however, is only considered a Beta+.
Taichung is considered a Gamma city. A gamma city are cities that link with smaller economic regions into the world economy.
In Canada, Toronto is an Alpha city and Montreal is an Alpha- city. Vancouver is a Beta+ and Calgary is a Beta-. Ottawa is classified as a Gamma city. Halifax is categorized as Sufficiency.
There are only two Alpha++ cities: London and New York.
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