ABSTRACT

Two processes are now underway, responsible for uprooting existing urban processes in many of the world’s port cities, in the process amplifying the socioecological metabolism of capitalism. First, there is the intensifi ed role of the city as an export platform, and second, rising contradictions associated with global overproduction and the subsequent decline in shipping. These processes became more obvious since 2008, when many port cities appeared extremely over-extended. Trade crashed dramatically during the second half of that year, and commodity prices fell further. In many cities with major ports, there were social uprisings. While very few of these were centered on the direct issue of export orientation, the indirect causes of socio-political unrest can be traced, to some extent, to the perceived need to make cities more friendly to export-oriented – and increasingly unpatriotic – capital.