Abstract
Cities are emerging as pre-eminently junctions in flows; of people, goods, information and finance. The need for 0-error systems of transfer is exemplified in manufacturing with Just-in-Time stock policies; reliable movement of inputs and outputs is fundamental to maintaining manufacturing. The reorganization of seaports and shipping provides a dramatic example of the pressure to minimize delays; inefficiencies here can severly damage a county's export performance. In airports, the same is true of freight movements. Thus the role of urban management in sustaining the efficiency of land movements to sea and airports becomes crucial to the competitive strength of cities.