What does it mean to rank cities on livability or quality of life? In this episode we look at the recently released Monocle Quality of Life Survey for 2016 and discuss how it, and other ranked city lists (not listicles!), can impact the way cities progress and compete.
Whether looking at overall metrics of a city like housing, affordability, safety, and public transportation - or even if it's possible to sit at a cafe at 11pm and sip a glass of wine - we think these mixed-methods surveys have their merit, especially for the purposes of promoting good urban practices. Other lists focus on more specific aspects like individual countries or bicycle infrastructure and culture, like the Copenhagenize Bicycle Friendly List, and serve a purpose towards encouraging other cities to improve that specific item as well.
So what do you think? Do you keep up with these lists each year or do you find fault in their metrics? Have you been to any of the cities or do you live there and have a difference experience? Let us know our twitter https://twitter.com/ThirdWaveUrban!
Here are some of the articles and full lists referenced in this episode:
Skift article on Monocle cities: https://skift.com/2016/06/22/monocles-new-quality-of-life-top-25-cities-survey-tokyo-is-tops-again/
Video on Monocle cities: https://monocle.com/film/affairs/top-25-cities-2016/
Night mayors: http://www.citylab.com/cityfixer/2016/01/night-mayor-amsterdam-mirik-milan/433893/
https://monocle.com/film/affairs/night-mayors/
Monocle video on Tokyo: https://monocle.com/film/affairs/most-liveable-city-2016-tokyo/
Copenhagenize Bicycle Friendly Cities index: http://copenhagenize.eu/index/
Personal account of moving to DC: http://katieaune.com/moving-to-dc/
Barcelona superblocks: https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/may/17/superblocks-rescue-barcelona-spain-plan-give-streets-back-residents
http://www.vox.com/2016/8/4/12342806/barcelona-superblocks
Video on racism in “progressive northern states” like Oregon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4U1ozz7nM8&index=4&list=PLnvZ3PbKApGM-hHuQ9lNc5oSKsusjn0Z6
Livability rankings - US - 2016: http://www.livability.com/best-places/top-100-best-places-to-live/2016
Rent control in Paris (working well): http://www.citylab.com/housing/2016/08/paris-rent-control-laws-are-working/494282/?utm_source=nl__link2_080316
Rent control in Berlin (Doing okay): https://theknowledgeexchangeblog.com/2016/05/06/rent-controls-lessons-from-berlin/
Portland housing prices: http://money.cnn.com/2016/02/05/pf/oregon-unaffordable-california/