Euromoney’s inaugural Global cities survey combined executive opinion (qualitative ratings) with hard data (quantitative data) from various sources in the market, across a variety of categories, to produce an authoritative ranking of the best cities in the world.

Given city authorities’ requirements for transparency and effective use of taxpayers’ funds, one of the most important criteria for infrastructure spending – whether on roads or IT services – is the ability to demonstrate value for money and return on investment.

Perhaps the most pressing challenge facing cities as urbanization accelerates is how to improve transportation, reduce energy consumption, minimize waste and maximize recycling. Urban EcoMap, an internet-based tool that enables cities around the world to provide smarter climate change information for their citizens, was developed by Cisco IBSG (the global strategic consulting arm of Cisco) and San Francisco’s Department of the Environment, and launched in 2008. Amsterdam set up an identical facility a year later.

Uprising hit growth in many Middle Eastern markets this year. Continued instability keeps investors nervous, but there is huge potential to invest in the region, claim top analysts. Nathan Collins reports.

New York City tops Euromoney’s inaugural survey as the world’s most competitive financial centre and the top city in which to do business. But will mounting regulation and anti-bank sentiment prompt the city’s financial institutions to leave? Helen Avery reports.

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