Institute of Geography and Sustainability of the University of Lausanne
Research projects
Cities in globalization 2010-2025
| Permanent link | https://igd.unil.ch/projet/en/464 |
| Research fields |
Urban matters Geographical Information science |
| Keywords |
World Dynamics Globalisation Multinational firms Cities Networks |
| Funding | |
| Duration | January 2026 - December 2026 |
| Website | |
| Researchers |
Rozenblat Céline (IGD UNIL) [email] |
Recent analyses of the ORBIS data reveal a notable "deglobalization" trend in 2022: while corporate networks and the number of connected cities continue to expand, the intensity of international linkages has declined in favor of stronger national and regional ties. This evolution reflects the growing influence of political and strategic constraints on global corporate behavior. Continuously updating the database is therefore essential to monitor the shifting balance between international integration and national cohesion - key factors underpinning innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable urban development. The updated dataset will also serve as calibration data for modeling cities' future trajectories in the context of the green and digital transitions. The ORBIS–FACTSET database now provides the foundation for several ongoing and forthcoming projects, reinforcing UNIL's leading role in comparative urban network research.
