We invite you to consider different dimensions of competitiveness that sit outside the traditional perspectives.
Emerging
Emerging cities come with inherent assets, compelling business environments or innovative planning strategies that can help them progress. However, these cities face significant challenges to achieving growth and boosting attractiveness.
Example City
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad is the capital of the Gujarat state in India and home to an estimated 8.5 million inhabitants, making it one of India's most populous cities. The city rates as Emerging on the Index, showcasing great potential for growth in the coming years. Ahmedabad ranks in the Aspiring category for Urban Management linked to the city's heavy investment in urban improvement projects such as construction of water distribution networks, climate-resilient stormwater drainage, new sewerage systems and new rail and road infrastructure.
Aspiring
Aspiring cities, facing significant challenges to their growth, are less attractive from an investment perspective. However, these cities come with inherent assets, compelling business environments or innovative planning strategies that can help propel them forward.
Example City
Cape Town
Cape Town is a port city and is the legislative capital South Africa. The city is becoming a magnet for investment and tourism and ranks as a contender in the investor attractiveness theme. Record high visitation to the city is driving demand for greater development, attracting property developers, investors and businesses to the city. The city, does, however, have specific urban management challenges that will constrain growth - namely the limitations of the power grid and water availability.
Contender
Contender cities are those that typically come out very strong in one or two dimensions, where the city has actively prioritised action.
Example City
Santiago
The Capital of Chile, Santiago, is located in a valley surrounded by the Andes and Chilean coast. A Contender overall, Santiago is rising up the ranks significantly because of top performance in Liveability and Assets. The city boasts strong intellectual assets with well performing universities, a significant educated workforce, and a relatively good AI readiness score. The city was one of the earliest to electrify public transport systems. Additionally, the has invested in smart city solutions, urban greening and active mobility options to improve urban comfort and efficiencies.
Leader
Leader cities typically perform well across the board, but with small margins for improvement across one or more areas. This can help determine where the city may need to focus their efforts.
Example City
Tokyo
Tokyo is Japan's capital city and financial centre, known for its rich culture, as well as its urban infrastructure. Tokyo is a Leader overall, with top performance in the Assets category largely linked to intellectual assets such as top scores in university rankings, digital infrastructure, research and development, and AI readiness. The city is well positioned to capture future opportunities in high technology and the AI boom which will likely have a positive effect on investor attractiveness—should the right policies be put in place. One of the city's greatest challenges moving forward will be its ageing population.
Best in class
Best in Class cities are well-rounded across all four dimensions meaning that they possess a strong enabling environment and well-optimised city management, as well as additional features that boost its attractiveness to investors and talent alike.
Example City
Sydney
Sydney, the largest city in Australia, and the nation's economic powerhouse. The city rates as Best in Class overall with excellent rankings in Investor Attractiveness, Assets, and Urban Management. The metropolis not only thrives as a centre for commerce and innovation but also leads in environmental stewardship. Sydney's digital infrastructure, supported by New South Wales’ significant investments in smart city technologies, also enhances its urban efficiency and connectivity. Despite its robust infrastructure and governance, Sydney has encountered challenges to its liveability primarily due to the high cost of living.
