World’s Smartest Cities: Manila Ranks 145th and Jakarta 170th

Manila, 03 Syawal 1437/0 July 2016 (MINA) – Manila ranked 145th among 181 cities evaluated according to smartness or strategic planning.

In Southeast Asia, the Philippines’ capital region ranked behind Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur in the 10 dimensions in the study: economy, human capital, technology, the environment, international outreach, social cohesion, mobility and transportation, governance, urban planning and public management.

The IESE Cities in Motion Index (CIMI) 2016, released on its website by the Center for Globalization and Strategy, IESE Business School, University of Navarra, is aimed at reviewing the world’s cities as to what “they want to be, what their priorities are and where they stand now” to meet the challenges of urbanization.

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Among Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the island city-state of Singapore landed in 22nd place; Bangkok, Thailand, 84th; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 88th; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 158th; and Jakarta, Indonesia, 170th, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) reported, quoting Philstar.

The top 10 cities are: New York, United States; London, United Kingdom; Paris, France; San Francisco; Boston; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Chicago; Seoul, South Korea; Geneva, Switzerland and Sydney, Australia.

Tokyo, Japan ranked 12th and Beijing, China was in 92nd spot.

According to the CIMI report, cities around the world face major global challenges although they generate 80 percent of global economic growth and wealth. These include economic crises, demographic trends, social divisions and environmental consequences.

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“The scope and magnitude of all of this create new challenges for cities’ sustainability,” the report said.

“Smart cities generate numerous business opportunities and possibilities for collaboration between the public and private sectors. All stakeholders can contribute, so an ecosystem network must be developed that will involve all of them: members of the public, organizations, institutions, government, universities, experts, research centers, (et cetera),” the report noted. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)