The Problem With "Most Livable Cities" Lists

Edwin Heathcote of the Financial Times says that lists of the "Best Cities" often fail because they select cities that are the most "livable", ignoring what makes cities "lovable".

1 minute read

May 11, 2011, 2:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur

Heathcote talks to Tyler Brule, the editor of Monocle, whose yearly most livable cities list attracts a lot of controversy for the dominance of cities like Zurich, Vienna and Geneva. So what are the criteria by which Monocle decides on its list?

""Global connectivity is important, education and we've recently added chain store metrics – is there a Starbucks or a Zara?" he says."

Monocle also tracks efficient public transport, proximity to nature and cultural institutions, easy commutes, etc.

But Heathcote writes:

"Each determinant on its own seems an indisputably good thing. But what do they mean together? Can Munich (Monocle's Number 1) really be one of the best places in the world to live? On a Sunday afternoon?"

FULL STORY: Liveable v lovable

Friday, May 6, 2011 in Financial Times

Social / Demographics World City Rankings Best Cities

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