Advanced services and city globalization on the Eastern fringe of Europe

Abstract

Capital cities in East Central and Eastern European Countries (ECEEC) are changing rapidly. Since the 1990s, the ECEEC capitals have faced the double challenge of the market (the transition process) and of integration in the world economy (the globalization process), which supposes a sufficient development of coordination functions and thus of advanced services concentrated in these cities (city globalization). Their capacity to join the network of global cities is evaluated on the basis of their relative specializations in advanced services and their connections with the rest of the world. The comparative analysis leads to contrasted globalization perspectives. Thus, Budapest, Prague and Warsaw show signs of city globalization while Bucharest and Sofia are hampered by historical, geographical and institutional factors.