11. Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki has been ranked the 9th best city in Europe based on the factors of stability, infrastructure, education, healthcare and environment. The roads are well segregated in grids and the transportation network is widely spread that keeps the city moving. The neighbourhood is safe during the night and women and children can freely walk. Hence the crime rate is very low. 

Helsinki has also been praised for its secular social-democratic society and lack of political corruption. It is one of the most diverse when it comes to race and religion. The public spaces include museums, theatres, galleries, libraries that are open to everyone. The social quality on a whole is good In the city.

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Helsinki_©www.smartcitiesworld.net.jpg

12. Buenos Aires, Argentina

The city of cultural activities and beautifully tree-lined streets with European-style architecture, Buenos is a unique city. It is a pulsating, passionate and cosmopolitan city. It’s a culmination of historic places and pub culture along with sports and recreational spaces. it is fantastic when it comes to shopping from independent designers. The streets and roads have focal points, one of the key features in the urban planning of a city. 

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Buenos_©Github.io.jpg

13. Curitiba, Brazil | World’s Best Cities

Curitiba has a modern architectural touch and abundant green spaces. with well-planned streets and residential units, the city practices a sustainable lifestyle. It has the most modern housing projects and waste management system. 

Great importance is given to street furniture making the place safe even at night. It has an eclectic mix of buildings from different styles such as colonial, indigenous and oriental. The buildings being low heights give a feel of a small town. It is termed as the greenest city on earth. 

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Curitiba _©Wordpress.com.jpg

14. Turin, Italy

Turin is a true royal city in Italy. Turin is Italy’s regal city par excellence. The grandeur of Turin can be experienced all over the city with large, majestic boulevards and arcaded shopping streets. The buildings are very intricately detailed out. The city manufactures the best chocolate in the entire Italy. This is where the origin of Nutella took place. 

The city also boasts several contemporary art museums. The city is adorned with lights, posters and banners. The buildings are similar giving the city a monochromatic look with the height limit being set to control the city skyline. 

20 Examples of World's Best Cities - Sheet14
Turin _©Wikimedia.org.jpg

15. Graz, Austria | World’s Best Cities

Graz is one of the best-preserved historical cities in Europe. It is full of impressive institutions and cultural attractions. The city consists of curiously designed chapels and baroque places and has a plethora of eye-catching buildings. Being a place for students, this city offers a great nightlife where younger crowds interact. 

A distinctive feature about the city is a farmers’ market which is a way to experience the local vibe. Being a small city, it is easier to locate places and commute making travel cheaper. It is also famous for winter sports and several ski resorts.  

Graz_©Tacdn.com.jpg

16. Dundee, Scotland

Dundee is beautifully bloomed during the spring season making it a tourist spot to enjoy the warmer months. A perfect combination of the river Tay and the hills, the city has abundant green pockets and flowering trees. The city has been recognised by UNESCO for its diverse contributions in the fields of medical research, comics, and video games. 

The city has more sunshine hours due to its position which is great for walking, cycling along the banks of the river along with the sandy beaches. The city hosts lots of festivals in literature, music, science, films and food. One can truly pick up a liking for art and culture here. 

Dundee _© Dundee.ac.uk.jpg

17. Shanghai, China

Shanghai boasts a blended culture of the East and the West. It is known for its well-expanding skylines. It is china’s largest and the richest city with a population of more than 20 million. A shopping paradise for buyers, it leads in all kinds of products giving consumers a wide range of the market base. 

The city skyline is best viewed across the water body where it’s lit in different colours. It has a very convenient transportation system. The city allows the public to host live performances, morning exercises and markets for people. The high-rise designs are an attractive feature of the city. 

Shanghai_©Disfold.com.jpg

18. Kobe, Japan | World’s Best Cities

Kobe is Japan’s most attractive city. A beautiful port town bordered by mountains to the north and west and the sea to the south, plenty of people come from Japan and outside. This city is friendly to foreigners and is less crowded compared to Tokyo and Osaka. One can get the most of a city and experience living in the countryside in this city. 

It gives the perfect Japanese experience and is much known for shopping and travel. There are many tourist attractions in the city that make it a destination for people to visit. Beef and Ramen are widely consumed here but this city is much more than that. 

Kobe_©Easywallprints.com.jpg

19. Beijing, China

Beijing, China’s capital city is a mix of history and modernity. It has served as the capital for more than 800 years. It is backed up by its glorious past and today is way ahead in terms of progress. This fast-moving city has a great number of visitors every year. It houses one of the oldest Chinese monuments and is a remarkable destination to revisit China’s history. 

The city has lively outdoor markets which offer a wide range of products. The transportation network is one of the fastest in the world and the city has well-designed ancient as well as modern buildings. It is what keeps visitors coming back to Beijing.

Beijing_©Topchinatravel.com.jpg

20. Shenzhen, China | World’s Best Cities

China’s most competitive and innovative city, Shenzhen is a hub for electronic gadgets. With manufacturing units to the growing commerce sector, the city has progressed very well in recent years. It gathers more than 14,000 high-tech companies and emerging start-ups giving a great opportunity for recruitment. The country’s urban spaces have long emphasized the importance of symmetry, with streets traditionally laid out in straight lines running east to west and north to south. 

Shenzhen bay is being planned to become a city centre and a string to the existing central business district to accommodate the needs of the growing population. 

Shenzhen_©Assetsadobe2.com.jpg

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Image link | World’s Best Cities

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Author

Shreya M Jain is currently studying in 4th year of architecture. She believes that architecture is a reciprocation of one’s thoughts and feels that it creates a dialogue between people and its surroundings. Through her writing she wishes to share how time and space can create meaningful impressions in an individuals life.