“Connecting Global Cities” is a monthly column written by Colin Speakman, Director of China Programs for CAPA International Education.

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We have already looked at some particular iconic elements such as bridges and towers in past Connecting Global Cities columns, and we noticed that no one type of icon dominates as the name card of each global city. Sometimes it is a tower, sometimes a bridge, sometimes a building that is instantly recognisable. That icon then becomes the name card of the city, meaning that it can be used in images, such as of tourist promotion or special conventions in that city, in a poster or on the web without the need for any words telling viewers what the city is.

Such a name card icon is usually the "must be photographed in front of" scene that visitors then share with their friends - look where I am! Sometimes there is competition for what image is the name card in a city. It is not always so obvious and I acknowledge that in discussion about our eight CAPA global cities below.

Photo: Eiffel Tower by James Whitesmith

However, some are hard to dispute, like the Eiffel Tower as the name card of Paris. Of course it helps that such a structure was the signature building of a World's Fair (the forerunner of the World Expo) and has been around a long time. Cities do not usually want to change their name cards and so the signature building from the most recent World Expo in Shanghai has not become the city's name card; an iconic structure of two decades earlier already had that role (see below).

Photo: Atomium by Daniel Mennerich

The World Expo buildings do dominate in many cases, including the Atomium in Brussels and the Space Needle in Seattle. Yet some would say that the Grand Place (dated back to 13th century) is a competing icon for Brussels and there are certainly two candidates for New York. I regard the Statue of Liberty as the name card (and this was confirmed in a discussion with my American students), but for sure the Empire State Building deserves an honourable mention.

So far, I have not mentioned a particular bridge as the name card, but there are some cities where bridges are the top choice and few would dispute the role of the Golden Gate Bridge as San Francisco's instantly recognizable symbol. In other cities, such as London and Dublin, they compete for the honor (see below).

Photo: Golden Gate Bridge by Justin Brown

Let's take a look at the name cards for each of CAPA's eight global cities:

BEIJING, CHINA

I should start by saying that it is not the Great Wall that is the name card of Beijing. Such walls were built across many parts of Northern China to keep invaders out and, as those who have visited know, it is actually a bit of a journey outside of the city. The name card of Beijing, as evidenced on stamps and posters, is much more centrally located; it is the unique appearance of the Hall of Prayer of the Temple of Heaven. Since the whole area of this huge garden was completed in 1420, it has a long claim to this role and has not been dislodged by more recent upstarts such as the Bird's Nest from the 2008 Olympics. It offers a popular photo opportunity for my students.

Photo: Temple of Heaven, CAPA Beijing students by Colin Speakman

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

It does seem that the Tango dance has become a symbol of Buenos Aires in itself, but that is not so easy to encapsulate in one site. However, this issue was solved when what might be called "the Tango Bridge" was opened in 2001. Its proper name is the Puente de la Mujer (the Woman's Bridge). It's located in Puerto Madero and is one of my favorite parts of the Argentine capital to visit. Of course there is soothing, calm water by the harbour and it's ideal for a pedestrian bridge which conveys the image of a couple dancing the Tango. The bridge is definitely a unique structure which those in the know can identify with BA, but perhaps it is not so recognizable as some other structures in our global cities. If I had to come up with an alternative, I would choose the Pink Palace of Evita fame.

Photo: Puente de la Mujer by Maritè Toledo

DUBLIN, IRELAND

There are a few candidates for the name card of Dublin, and an honourable mention must be made of Dublin Castle. Some people I spoke to actually put forward the Guinness Brewery, but the final consensus turns out to be a bridge. It is that famous pedestrian bridge over the River Liffey known as the Ha'penny Bridge (officially the Liffey Bridge, and before that known as the Wellington Bridge). It dates from 1816 and has a long life in the role of name card. It is also a bridge many visitors, including me, have crossed from Temple Bar's cultural enclave to some more historic sites of Dublin. I was appreciative that CAPA's Deputy President, Dr. Michael Woolf - a regular visitor to Dublin - confirmed my assessment.

Photo: Ha'penny Bridge by Jim Nix

FLORENCE, ITALY

In a city with so much history as Firenze, there is no role for a modern structure as a name card. There is that historic Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) over the River Arno and there are many famous churches, but the standout icon is the Duomo, the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, whose dome overlooks the surrounding streets. It is visible from afar when viewing Florence if you're standing at a good vantage point. Such an elevated location is the best place to get a photo with the dome in the background (I have done that!).

Photo: The Duomo at night by Martin Sojka

ISTANBUL, TURKEY

One is tempted to think of the Bosporus Bridge as the symbol of Istanbul, straddling the straits of same name and thus connecting Asia and Europe. To be sure, the bridge is a strong candidate, yet in a city of such long history, one should go for a more historic structure. The one that was top of my list when I first visited this global city - and the icon we'll choose as the name card for Istanbul - is the Blue Mosque (named after its blue tiles inside). Its proper name is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque and it dates from 1616. I was impressed when I visited, and I believe you would be too!

Photo: Blue Mosque by Tim O'Brien

LONDON, ENGLAND

London shares something in common with Shanghai (other than that I have lived in both and regard them as my two true homes) which is that both have new towers that are leading icons of a region. London's Shard (of Glass) gives the capital the tallest building in the European Union, but it will not be the name card of this city. There is a strong case for the shorter tower that holds Big Ben and the connected Houses of Parliament, but the primary icon that denotes London with no explanation needed is Tower Bridge. It is certainly instantly recognizable as a London icon, yet one confusion is that some then say "that's London Bridge". No, London Bridge is a basic low bridge with no structures on it. I have crossed both often and I know which I prefer!

Photo: Tower Bridge by Davide D'Amico

SHANGHAI, CHINA

When the Shanghai Tower is completed in 2015, it will be the tallest tower in China and much of Asia but it will not be Shanghai's name card. In fact, neither will the China Pavilion of the Shanghai World Expo 2010. The role has already been taken since Shanghai Pudong was designated as a new development area in 1990 and the first iconic structure, the Oriental Pearl Tower, was subsequently erected. It has gone on to be the picture poster of China's economic rise and that's a reputation difficult to dislodge. One can find great views of Shanghai by going up to the top and, with the right angle, a great view of the tower with a visitor in front of it - even I managed that!

Photo: Oriental Pearl Tower by Colin Speakman

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

The Sydney name card is a difficult choice as two icons often appear in photos of Sydney - the Harbor Bridge and the Opera House and they also often appear together. I remember seeking out from a boat cruise the best angle to capture both in a photo. Yet, we have to narrow it down to one and I am indebted to my colleague Donna Vaughan, our Director of Academic Affairs in Sydney, for confirming what I suspected: it is the Sydney Opera House that is the name card - music to my ears!

Photo: Sydney Opera House by Nuno Cardoso

Thanks Colin!

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