LONDON: Austria’s capital Vienna has beaten Melbourne to be ranked the "world’s most liveable city" in a new annual survey released on Monday, ending the southern Australian city’s seven-year reign.
It is the first time a European metropolis has topped the annual chart compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit which identifies the best urban playgrounds to live and work in. Each year 140 cities are given scores out of 100 on a range of factors such as living standards, crime, transport infrastructure, access to education and healthcare, as well as political and economic stability.
Vienna scored a "near-ideal" 99.1, beating Melbourne into second place on 98.4. Japan’s Osaka took third place. Australia and Canada dominated the top ten, each boasting three cities. Australia had Melbourne, Sydney (5th) and Adelaide (10th) while Canada had Calgary (4th), Vancouver (6th) and Toronto (joint 7th).
"Those that score best tend to be mid-sized cities in wealthier countries," researchers said in their report. They noted that several cities in the top ten had relatively low population densities which fostered "a range of recreational activities without leading to high crime levels or overburdened infrastructure".
The Australian and Canadian cities in the top ten, for example, had an average of 3.2 and 4 people per square kilometre respectively, compared to a global average of 58. Japan, which alongside Osaka boasted Tokyo in the top ten (joint 7th), is the glaring exception to that rule with a nationwide urban average of 347 people per square kilometre but cities famed for their transport networks and living standards.
The cargo ship that hit the Baltimore bridge seen in this photo.— AFP/file WASHINGTON: A stranded cargo ship that...
Rohingya refugees flee fighting in Myanmar’s Rakhine state amid junta-rebel clashes. — AFP/file GENEVA: The UN...
A passenger coming of the Blue origin capsule.— Blueorigin website/file WASHINGTON: After a nearly two year hiatus,...
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi speaks during a meeting with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on the...
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico looks on during a press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin,...
The Chinese training ship Qijiguang and amphibious warfare ship Jinggangshan are taking part in land and sea drills...