World’s Best Cities – A city is a result of urban sprawl. It grows and develops according to its people. Cities must progress with time to accommodate the current times but must also hold a strong sense of belongingness to its past which makes it easier to find the origin of its birth. A city must provide an acceptable quality of living, abundant facilities and must cater to its people.
Here are some of the world’s best cities known specifically for their character and the liveability standards they provide. One must focus on the key outcome of the city by gauging the power of its relationship with people.
1. Singapore | World’s Best Cities
One of the most important cities for trade and commerce around the world, Singapore is much known for its meticulously designed structures and urban environment. Having limited land resources Singapore has been keen on optimizing the built environment and growing a community culture. Sustainability and balanced development are what the city focuses on.
This city has grown enormously with time to make a mark in the world, and is very famous for its quality of living. The city has a live-work-play environment and also, the waste management system and sanitation systems are remarkably designed.
The well-planned roads, green pockets within the city, covered walkways around buildings and diverse transportation system make it a self-growing city. The policies and facilities provided are also in favour of the people which makes many attracted to Singapore.
2. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is a city of culture, values, leisure and community life. They are ranked one of the happiest cities in the world for the vibrant environment they offer. The city, with a beautiful harbour where one can even swim, an extraordinary culture for a variety of food cuisines does feel good. From an architectural point of view, the buildings are colourful giving a distinct feature and acting as a major tourist spot.
People are seen sailing, cycling, walking and engaging themselves in various public activities which brings a positive impact to one’s life. The city has met the criteria for Europe’s liveability standards and has also been awarded the title of European Green capital in 2014. It is aiming at becoming the world’s most cycling-friendly city.
3. Chandigarh
Planned and designed by Le Corbusier, Chandigarh is known as a remarkably ideal city to live in. This city is an amalgamation of tradition and modernity. Being a union territory, it is the capital of both Punjab and Haryana. The city’s official emblem ‘open hand’ is a symbol of peace and reconciliation. It is considered the cleanest and happiest city in India.
The roads are well distinguished as primary roads, secondary and arterial routes. The self-contained city is a beautiful combination of architecture, natural beauty, wildlife, heritage and civilisation.
4. Amsterdam, Netherlands
The city with a prominent canal system is very carefully designed. It is known for its historic background and canal thoroughfares, bicycle lanes, bridges, small parks and open public green spaces. It is termed as a progressive central hub in the European Knowledge economy. The city assures basic needs and the freedom to grow. This is an outcome of the multicultural crowd existing.
The planning focused on densification, public green spaces, transportation accessibility and walkability that promotes the city to maintain a healthy and sustainable urban footprint.
5. Washington DC | World’s Best Cities
Washington DC is surrounded by suburbs on both sides of the Potomac River. All the suburbs are distinctly different from one another providing a diversified culture. These areas are work-driven, artful and historic, neighbourhood friendly, and abundant facilities. One cannot miss out on the world-class tourist attractions here. The city was planned by Pierre Charles L’Enfant, a French army engineer who followed the principles of urban planning of Paris.
All the important buildings were carefully located and the capitol was placed at the centre of the street plan. Washington’s streets are organized in a scheme of broad diagonal avenues overlain on a grid of wide north-south- and east-west trending streets. This creates a great vista and powerful focal points.
The diagonal avenues punctuate landscaped circles and squares that become a mark of public interaction. Keeping a strict restriction on the height of the buildings has helped Washington focus on the major attraction spots.
6. Seoul, South Korea
Seoul, the capital of South Korea is much known as the 10th best city economically. A city fast-moving also has the world’s fastest average internet connection speed. The city that works 24 hours provides abundant resources and facilities to its people. It is very famous for its pop culture and food one would want to try.
The city is bustling with music, dance, and dramas and fashion. The market seems to keep the consumers very happy with their amazing offers and gifts. One would want to pause for food and shopping in Seoul.
7. Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich is one of the smaller cities in Europe with a population of 1.3 million. The old town is mostly pedestrian with cafes and restaurants lined up along the streets. The weather and temperature permit people to enjoy the city. Being in Switzerland, the city is well maintained. The facades, tidy garden windows and balconies are colourful and decorated with flowers. A beautiful combination of Lake Zurich, gardens and parks and Uetliberg mountain, one can experience every possible attraction in one place.
The city is very friendly to its people with a healthy lifestyle and extensive public transport. All the activities cater to the people living here and the visitors. The city has got a lot to explore with its rich art and culture.
8. Montreal, Canada | World’s Best Cities
Montreal has a clear identity of its own as a bilingual and polyglot cultural capital of French Canada. The city is vibrant with its cultural events and film festivals. It is much known for its nightlife. It is an excellent place to build on one’s dream job as the city provides various opportunities and affordable housing makes it easier to survive.
The metro system is widely used by people for the commute. Montreal has an incredible variety of easily accessible beautiful parks and elegant urban squares, credits to its much older history and a keen sense of urban design.
9. Bilbao, Spain
Located close to the coast with mountains surrounding, this city offers a wide range of tourist attractions. The city is clean, manageable and people-friendly. The architecture inspires people from all design fields to learn and work here with the neighbourhood being so responsive. The streets encourage walkability and people engagement.
A small city that makes one feel secluded and gives a sense of home.
10. Berlin, Germany | World’s Best Cities
The German capital’s famed art scene, coupled with an indefatigable nightlife, gives the place its energetic yet unequivocally gritty character. Berlin goes out and about when it comes to street food and fares, they host. The city is beautifully pictured as an art scene with paintings, graffiti and street art expressing its culture. The city promotes the use of public transport and eco-friendly bikes to commute. It is home to 2500 parks which give the most calming environment.
Berlin has always been a green city, with luxuriant trees softening the effect of the stone apartment blocks in many streets. Water is a prevalent factor with the Spree River running through the city’s centre, a broad belt of lakes spreading out east and west, and canals running through the city.