Top 10 Most Innovative Smart Cities in the World
Top 10 Most Innovative Cities in the World
According to the Smart City Index 2024, compiled by the Smart City Observatory of the IMD World Competitiveness Center in collaboration with the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) based in Seoul, South Korea, the ranking of the most innovative cities worldwide has been revealed.
It’s noteworthy that Smart cities in Europe and Asia are gaining ground globally, while North American cities are sliding down the ranks.
The analysis is primarily driven by the observation of how advanced infrastructure and technology are effectively available within a city, significantly influencing urban performances and the quality of life for its residents.
Before delving into the list of the top Smart cities globally, it’s important to underline that a smart city is defined as “an urban context that applies technology to increase benefits and reduce the drawbacks of urbanization for its citizens” in the report.
These cities have also implemented initiatives aimed at enhancing the overall quality of life for their citizens, such as developing green spaces and introducing new and broader opportunities for cultural events and social interactions.
Moreover, the report highlights that in many cases, the cities listed in the ranking have devised innovative strategies to “attract and retain talent, promote investments selectively [e.g., in favor of sustainability], and address long-standing issues concerning geographical inequalities and inclusion”.
Here is the list of the top 10 most innovative cities in the world:
1.
Zurich, Switzerland
2.
Oslo, Norway
3.
Canberra, Australia
4.
Geneva, Switzerland
5.
Singapore
6.
Copenhagen, Denmark
7.
Lausanne, Switzerland
8.
London, England
9.
Helsinki, Finland
10.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Interestingly, for the first time since the index’s inception in 2019, there are no North American cities among the top 20.
The highest-ranking American city this year is New York City in 34th place, followed by Boston in 36th and Washington DC in 50th place.
While European cities dominate the ranking, Asian cities are also making significant strides.
Singapore has consistently ranked in the top 10 positions since the index’s launch in 2019.
Taipei has jumped an impressive 13 positions in the last year, from 29th in 2023 to 16th this year.
Beijing secured the 13th position.
These rankings demonstrate the ongoing shift in global innovation hubs, with cities across continents striving to enhance their technological capabilities and overall quality of life for residents.
