The global city model and the change of the occupational and social structure of Paris metropolitan region

Starting from the theoretical debate triggered by the model of the global city advanced by Saskia Sassen, this contribution analyses the changes in the Paris metropolitan region's economic and social structure. An examination of the economic activities' geographical density reveals a process of de-specialisation flanked at national level by a trend towards professionalisation. The spatial dimension also plays a role in the distribution of the upper and lower socio-professional categories, in which the higher and intermediate categories exhibit a greater density of women. The article concludes by stating that the global city model has its limits. The process of economic globalisation prompts localised changes that may include the de-specialisation of the urban economy and professionalisation among women.