What will you learn?
- Which cities are considered the smartest in the world according to the IMD Smart City Index?
- What initiatives do these cities take to improve the quality of life for their residents?
- What trends in urban development are observed in Asia and Europe?
- What role does artificial intelligence play in designing and managing cities?
- Why didn't North American cities make it to the top of the smart city ranking in 2024?
Report Developed by the Smart City Observatory The index was developed by the Smart City Observatory of the IMD World Competitiveness Center in collaboration with the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) based in Seoul, South Korea.
142 Cities Worldwide The report ranks 142 smart cities worldwide based on data analyzed by researchers and survey responses from 120 residents in each city. The study provides an overview of how a city's infrastructure and technology impact its performance and the quality of life of its residents.
What is a Smart City?
According to IMD, a smart city is "an urban setting that applies technology to enhance the benefits and diminish the shortcomings of urbanization for its citizens."
Highest Ratings for European Cities Among the top ten smartest cities on the list, seven are located in Europe.
Zurich Tops the List Here are the top ten smartest cities according to the 2024 Smart City Index:
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Oslo, Norway
- Canberra, Australia
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Singapore
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Lausanne, Switzerland
- London, England
- Helsinki, Finland
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
No North American Cities in the Top 20 For the first time since the index's inception in 2019, there are no North American cities in the top 20.
Decline of American Cities According to the report, many cities in the United States are losing ground. Cities like Washington, Denver, and Los Angeles have lost 12, 12, and 11 places respectively.
Asian Cities on the Rise While European cities dominate the list, Asian cities are gaining prominence too.
Top 5 Smart Cities in Asia Singapore (5th place) Beijing (13th place) Taipei City (16th place) Seoul (17th place) Shanghai (19th place)
What Does This Mean for the Future of Cities? "Cities must design and adopt strategies that can resist the test of a future plagued with growing uncertainties," said Bruno Lanvin, president of the Smart City Observatory.
Global Trends in Smart City Development Asia and Europe Leading the Way According to the latest data, cities in Asia and Europe are leading the development of smart cities. However, the absence of North American cities at the top is a surprising trend compared to previous years.
Key Elements of Success Cities that have achieved high rankings focus on initiatives to improve the quality of life for residents. Significant emphasis is placed on developing green spaces, organizing cultural events, and building communities. Additionally, these cities actively attract and retain talent, invest selectively in eco-friendly projects, and address challenges related to geographical inequalities and social integration.
Role of Artificial Intelligence In the context of growing uncertainties related to health and climate threats, as well as international tensions, the importance of trust and good governance is increasing. Artificial intelligence is becoming a key tool in designing and managing cities, aiming to increase humanism in urban life.