Key Points
- Zurich, Switzerland's largest city, was selected as the smartest city for the seventh consecutive year.
- The ranking evaluated economic, technological, quality of life and environmental factors based on the opinions of residents in 148 cities.
- Participants viewed affordable housing as the biggest problem for 82%, traffic congestion for 60%, and unemployment for 47%.
- Oslo, Geneva, London and Copenhagen completed the top five; Washington DC rose 23 spots to 39th.
By the Numbers
The International Development and Management Institute evaluated the economic and technological infrastructure, quality of life, environment and inclusion factors of 148 cities. The ranking was largely based on survey results reflecting local residents' perceptions of the city.
This year Zurich, Switzerland, returned to first place as the smartest city for the seventh consecutive year and received an overall AAA score.
The survey results showed that Zurich residents' top priority was affordable housing; 82% considered it a primary concern. 60% cited traffic congestion, and 47% pointed to unemployment as a significant problem. These findings highlight that affordable housing and urban mobility issues are becoming increasingly urgent on a global scale.
In the list, Oslo placed second, Geneva third, London fourth, Copenhagen fifth and Dubai sixth. Another Swiss city, Lausanne, came seventh. Washington DC rose 23 spots to 39th, while Syria's Al-Ula city climbed 27 places to 85th. Boston, the highest-ranked US city, rose to 35th.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What were the main criteria for Zurich being selected as the smartest city?
- The ranking evaluated economic and technological infrastructure, quality of life, environment and inclusion factors, and was largely based on survey responses from local residents.
- What were the biggest concerns of Zurich residents who participated in the survey?
- 82% cited affordable housing, 60% traffic congestion, and 47% unemployment as the most important issues.
- Which other notable cities stood out and what surprising rises occurred in the ranking?
- Oslo placed second, Geneva third, London fourth, Copenhagen fifth and Dubai sixth; Washington DC rose 23 spots to 39th, while Al-Ula rose 27 places to 85th.
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