Global ranking reflects cities’ post-pandemic resident-centric urban priorities

London, New York, Helsinki, Copenhagen, and Abu Dhabi have been named as the leading cities in new research to determine the best cities in which to live around the world.

The global study, conducted by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and BCG Henderson Institute, surveyed 25,000 residents in 80 cities using 155 metrics to understand their satisfaction with urban life to come up with a final ranking of 45 cities.

Social capital

Influencing factors for BCG’s Cities of Choice ranking included quality of life, economic opportunities, social capital, interactions with authorities, and speed of change.

Publication of the study also coincided with the launch of a universal measurement tool from BCG aimed at city administrations to help assess and manage their cities.

According to BCG, its ranking is both human-centric and provides objective assessment. The ranking’s structure is based on the specific priorities and preferences of residents of each city. At the same time, using statistical indicators in the ranking ensures an objective assessment and comparability between cities and is not biased by cultural specifics or differences in levels of expectations.

Among the key findings which put London at the top were: great public transport – with only eight per cent residents reporting that the station/bus stop they use is too far from their home/work place, compared to 20 per cent on average in top-five cities; and inclusivity – 68 per cent of female respondents agree that people have equal opportunities regardless of their gender, ethnicity/race, in comparison to 51 per cent on average in top-five cities.

“Our goal was to create a useful tool for urban policy development in the ‘new reality’ we are all facing following the outbreak of the coronavirus”

While many cities considered advanced are at the top of the ranking, there were some unexpected results: several of the expected leaders – Paris, Toronto, Vancouver – ended up in the middle of the list (26, 20, 29 respectively) while a few fast-growing cities that rarely top the global rankings joined the group of leaders.

The four highest ranking emerging market cities are located in China (Beijing and Shanghai) and the UAE (Abu Dhabi and Dubai). The study noted these cities have “decisive and innovative” governments with a clear agenda in shaping their cities. At the same time, they share a people-centric strategic focus that is reflected, for example, in Shanghai’s 2040 plan and Dubai’s Happiness Agenda.