A case for altruistic cities.

Abstract

Intercity cooperation appears to be thriving, as evidenced by the growing number of regional and international intercity networks. However, a closer examination of these interactions reveals that their scope and depth are often limited, with information sharing, delegation visits, and mutual learning being the most common forms of engagement. Consequently, cities are frequently perceived as participating in intercity networks to "add flowers to the brocade"-a gesture of enhancement-rather than to achieve any substantial improvement in their functional capacities.