Most political commentators and opinion writers predicted a future devoid of momentum and ambition post-Brexit. And yet, London still appears to be the most attractive destination in Europe – and indeed in the world – when it comes to liveability, lovability and prosperity.
These are the main criteria used by the Canadian firm, Resonance Consultancy, which specialises in analysing development strategies, to draw up its list of “2024 World’s Best Cities.”
This list runs down the places on the planet that manage to satisfy their residents as much as visitors and investors.
Usually, tourism rankings choose to focus on a single consumer category. In the case of this listing, local quality of life is analysed, along with the prosperity of urban centres.
In addition, travellers’ opinions of each destination are compiled. Specifically, over 270 cities around the world were analysed on criteria ranging from transport connectivity to the range of cultural and culinary experiences on offer.
The report also analyses educational attainment and university reputations, as well as labour force participation rates, poverty rates, GDP per capita and the number of start-ups.
“London tops both our overall Liveability and Lovability indices, leading all global cities in the Instagram Hashtags, Facebook Check-ins and Tripadvisor Reviews subcategories that in part comprise the latter.
Indeed, the city is almost back to pre-pandemic capacity, if the Tube is any indication. The London Underground Night Tube reopened more than a year ago, with the city’s other lines mostly up and running as they were before Covid.
There are even new metro stops as part of the transformational Elizabeth line buildout, with trains now running directly from Reading and Heathrow to Abbey Wood and from Shenfield to Paddington.
The brand-new Bond Street Elizabeth line station, at the heart of London’s West End, also opened late last year,” reads the Resonance Consultancy’s report.
Paris, due to hold this summer’s Olympic Games, takes second place in the ranking.
“While the city is future-proofing itself with visionary sustainability and investment attraction […], it’s battling monumental social and economic challenges, perhaps unlike any other capital city. Paris has been wracked by unemployment and economic calamity since 2020 and ranks #158 in our Poverty Rate subcategory, which tracks residents living under the national poverty line,” explains the report, highlighting some of the disadvantages that keep Paris in second place.
2024 World’s Best Cities: Top 10
• London (UK)
• Paris (France)
• New York (USA)
• Tokyo (Japan)
• Singapore
• Dubai (UAE)
• San Francisco (USA)
• Barcelona (Spain)
• Amsterdam (Netherlands)
• Seoul (South Korea)