is globalization and the new IT technology weakening or strengthening the role of cities?

Answer 1

IT is strengthening it, but the "city" needs to be redefined as the area around a metropolitan centre that is "wired". The area that providers are willing to connect what you build there to the city's mobile phone network, its cable TV cables, its broadband access, etc. People want, and business need, to be within the ambit of a city in that sense that is somewhat wider than the contiguous urban area limit.

Globalisation is probably not significant in itself in that regard, though it adds to the advantage for relevant businesses of good communications and ability to export or imprt - it's one of the easons for example that so much of China's development is on the coast. But note the success of far-from-the-coast cities of Delhi and Bangalore as proof that coast is not vital if telecoms links and air travel connections are good.

Answer 2

Without a doub it is strengthening Internaional trade and hence the roles of the metropolis.