Global survey measuring “liveability” of cities not good news for Manila

liveability
On the plus side, the Philippine capital garnered respectable scores for “public management” and “international impact”

A global survey measuring the liveability of 180 cities placed Manila in 148th spot.

The 2017 Cities in Motion Index by the University of Navarra’s IESE Business School in Spain seeks to name the world’s “smartest” cities by ten criteria.

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These are governance, urban planning, public management, technology, environment, international impact, social cohesion, transportation, human capital and economy.

Manila ranked 174th in transportation, 160th in governance, 147th in environment, 145th in urban planning, 140th in social cohesion, 139th in human capital, 131st in economy and 103rd in technology.

More encouragingly, the Philippine capital garnered respectable results in public management (57th) and international impact (68th).

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Liveability across the region

Regionally, Manila lagged behind Singapore (22nd), Bangkok (86th), Kuala Lumpur (92nd) and Ho Chi Minh City (146th).

Seoul led the field in the Asia-Pacific region, followed by Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taipei.

Globally, the top three more liveable cities were New York, London and Paris. Also in the top 10 were Boston, San Francisco,Washington, Seoul, Tokyo, Berlin and Amsterdam.

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A summary of the report concluded: “So what can be learned from the study? First, there is no single model for success so the city strategy has to be adapted to each situation.

“Secondly, the perfect city does not exist. Even those that are placed in the top ranks have weaknesses. The overarching goal should be to develop urban spaces where people can live and carry out their activities with the greatest opportunity and probabilities of success, within a liveable, creative and socially responsible environment.

“Cities should work towards creating more attractive places and generating healthier, happier and more prosperous lives for all citizens.”

The Philippines and its cities have mixed fortunes when it comes to such surveys. Last month, for example, we reported on a law and order survey that concluded the Philippines was safer than France, Italy and South Korea.

However, just a few months previously, we reported how the Philippines had tumbled down the global tourism league due to safety concerns.