Quality of Life
Page 26
The world’s top 25 most liveable cities
Months of good-natured, frequently late-night and occasionally jetlagged debate have resulted in this: our definitive (and a little subjective) guide to the world’s most liveable cities. Here’s how we came to our conclusions.
Americas
The US embraces pedal power, New York takes to its rivers; plus a cultural haven in Colombia.
Copenhagen: design city
Copenhagen topped our quality of life survey for many reasons, not least its seamless urban planning that prioritises mobility and resident happiness. Denmark’s capital is, put simply, a city designed for life.
Casuo Antiguo
Cádiz is an unspoilt destination where you can experience authentic Spain. Its historic quarter, Casco Antiguo, is undergoing a regeneration project, making the city an ideal place to own a home.
Park life
Brazil's Santa Catarina state is booming, thanks to its location and skilled labour. Its capital, Florianópolis, is now regarded as one of the country's best places to live and work.
Trade secret
Once a colonial trading hub, George Town on the Malaysian island of Penang lost out to Hong Kong and Singapore. Now its faded villas and relaxed pace are luring a new generation of entrepreneurs.
Maltese crossing
Malta, the Mediterranean island with a population of 400,000, is booming thanks to EU membership and its adoption of the euro. It’s also perfectly poised to exploit renewed trade with Gaddafi’s Libya.
Saggen
Beyond being an ideal event city, Innsbruck’s year-round vibrancy makes it perfect for second, or even first home status. Prices may be high, but then so is the quality of life.
Isle be back
Japan's Okinawa prefecture is experiencing a renaissance. Companies large and small are capitalising on its relaxed, affordable lifestyle, great beaches and warm climate, with the city of Naha leading the way.
Up for adoption
From Germany’s power-generating homeowners to Genoa’s congestion-cutting van-share scheme and Estonia’s booming flat tax economy, here are 10 public policy initiatives that ministers and mayors should study with care.
