The Metropolises of the Islamic World in the Process of Globalization and the Global City Comparative Study: Tehran and Istanbul

The rapid and ongoing trend of metropolises transitioning into global cities and world cities is influenced by the increasing political, economic, cultural, and scientific dimensions of the urban political geography. Cities, as dynamic entities, evolve from new cities to mother cities, metropolises, global cities, and ultimately world cities. In this competitive environment, metropolises strive to enhance their level of competitiveness vis-à-vis their counterparts. In this study, the researcher compares the performance of Tehran and Istanbul, two metropolises in the Islamic world, based on the criteria and functions of world cities. The researcher employs an index developed by political geography scholars who specialize in studying world cities. The objective is to determine the ranking of these cities among world cities. To accomplish this, relevant maps have been prepared using ArcMap software, and numerical indicators and criteria have been analyzed in a descriptive-analytical manner. The analysis reveals that Istanbul outperforms Tehran in most indicators and occupies a strong position in the network society and flow space of global cities. This can be attributed to factors such as geopolitical location, an open economic environment, and other indicators. The results of this comparative study can guide city administrators in designing a more suitable future landscape for these cities, ultimately leading to achieving global city status.