Cities of opportunity 2012

And climbs four places compared to last year

London ties for number one overall

 

Cities of Opportunity 2012 makes its fifth annual analysis of the development of 27 global cities, and through their current and projected future performance seeks to add insight on the policies and actions that make cities function best.

London finishes in a virtual tie for first place overall this year, one point behind New York, and ahead of Toronto, Paris, and Stockholm. London’s major strengths include its economic clout, ease of doing business, and attraction as a city gateway. It is also a city of great cultural vibrancy. Overall, the British capital ranks in the top ten in all but two indicators; it also finishes in the top five in over a third of the variables and in the top ten in nearly two-thirds, ranking first in an impressive six variables.

Image: Overall graph
 

An economic powerhouse

Although the city slips from its top spot last year, London remains within the top five in economic clout, tying for third with New York, behind Beijing and Paris.

Image: Economic Clout graph
 

A global gateway

London is the top gateway among all 27 cities.

Image: City gateway graph
 

An easy place to do business

London is one of the easiest places in the world to do business. As capital of a country that belongs to both the European Union and Commonwealth of Nations, it is also one of the cities most connected with the rest of the planet.

Image: Ease of doing business graph
 

An embarrassment of virtues

London excels in several indicators in addition to those above. The city:

  • Ranks sixth in intellectual capital and innovation as a whole. Within the indicator, it heads the list for research performance of its top universities, edging out New York, which was first last year; ranks fourth in intellectual property protection and public availability of libraries; and finishes fifth in innovation.
  • Finishes in the top ten in demographics and livability and ranks second in cultural vibrancy, just behind New York.
  • Also finishes in the top ten in transportation and infrastructure and ties Toronto for number one in public transport.

The attachment below is the short overview for London, the full report is available from here.