Global Power City Index 2015

COMMENTS FROM URBAN EXPERTS

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  Tokyo is a city where tradition and innovation converge, constantly generating new styles and trends. It is also a city rich with beautiful waterside spaces and a diverse food culture. My aim is to make Tokyo an even more livable, enjoyable, and comfortable mature city. To achieve this goal we are now surging ahead with initiatives to create a “hydrogen society,” to make Tokyo the world’s first metropolis with no traffic congestion, and to build a society where everyone—men and women alike—can play an active role. Just as London became the world’s top ranking city after successfully hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, Tokyo will also take the opportunity provided by the 2020 Games to accelerate efforts and rise to the rank of the “best city in the world.”

  Yoichi Masuzoe

  Former Governor of Tokyo

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  With a thriving economy, an unrivalled cultural scene, numerous top sporting venues, some of the best universities in the world, a low crime rate and much else besides, it is no wonder that London continues to outstrip other cities across the world. As London grows to record levels we are working hard to build the new homes and deliver the infrastructure that will ensure we remain a global powerhouse for decades to come.

  Boris Johnson MP

  Former Mayor of London

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  London continues to retain its position in the global hierarchy of cities. London property is seen as a secure and safe haven for footloose international investment, both from institutions such as Sovereign Wealth Funds and Pension Funds, and from individual investors. The London housing market, in particular, is attracting a lot of Russian, Asian and Middle Eastern investors. London is experiencing a continued increase in tourist numbers on the back of the 2012 Olympics and other events such as the Rugby World Cup. New transport investments, Crossrail, are taking place as are other projects to make London a better place for walking and cycling. The biggest issues facing London in the coming years (and that will be on the next Mayor's agenda in 2016) are the need for further investment in public transport, airport capacity, housing affordability and the devolution of greater decision making powers from central government.

  Peter Bishop

  Professor, University College London

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  London is enjoying the fruits of a long cycle of urban redevelopment and investment in transport that has helped the city renew its DNA. The 2015 Global Power City Index powerfully illustrates the current strength of London's visitor and investor brands, and its status as a global centre for higher education and culture, as well as its reputation as a safe haven for capital and talent. London’s leadership is working towards long term plans to accommodate future population growth through increased infrastructure investment and co-ordination, densifying the centre of the city, and more intensive development of the older suburbs. London’s economy is diversifying with major growth in tech, med, and screen industries. GCPI 2015 also highlights the need for cities like London to address the housing supply and affordability challenges that accompany success. London has made great progress in education, safety, and transport, but the key challenge is now to address the housing imperative and also to tackle air quality and public health.

  Greg Clark CBE

  Chairman, The Business of Cities
  Visiting Professor, University College London

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  The 2015 GPCI provides valuable insights into not only the competitive ranking of global cities, but also into the factors that impact the significant changes we saw in the rankings this year. For instance, certain North American cities show marked improvement due to investments in infrastructure and quality of life, with cities like Los Angeles surging ahead. By contrast, we are seeing the impacts of poorly planned urbanization and consequent downgrades in quality of life in Beijing and Shanghai. The message is quite clear: in order for global cities to compete for increasingly mobile human capital, they must improve the quality of life they offer residents and businesses in terms of great design, efficient infrastructure, a cleaner environment and diverse cultural exuberance.

  Vishaan Chakrabarti

  Founder and CEO, Partnership for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU)
  Associate Professor of Practice, Columbia University

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  According to the GPCI 2015 results Paris leads the world ranking in terms of “livability”, a position supported by the unique value of its architectural and urban heritage. On the economic front however, the city has yet to address the challenge of reinforcing its attractiveness.
  A first urban strategy which could help nurture new economics is already gaining momentum: the Greater Paris Metropolitan Area will be enforced on January 1st 2016. Still, I believe that the historical heart of Paris could just as well receive major architectural and urban renewal. In order to do so whilst preserving the heritage to which Paris owes much of its current ranking, I suggest to explore the vast and untapped reserves of land that our capital city possesses below its surface.

  Dominique Perrault

  Architect-Urban Planner
  Praemium Imperiale 2015 Laureate

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  Tokyo benefits from a well-crafted, relatively new building stock which can be considered appropriate to living standards of our times. Apartment blocks are convenient, office towers are efficient, retail commerce is flourishing, the transport network is sophisticated, there is a good amount of parks and greenery, all is clean and well maintained. Life in Tokyo is smooth and generally enveloped in a feeling of safety.
  But Tokyo MUST build on this solid base to add cultural spark to the city. More so than ever people today crave for an emotionally enriching time and are drawn by inspiring experiences that make for long lasting memories, this is the new luxury!
  Tokyo needs awe inspiring iconic buildings, it could showcase it’s deeply rooted culture of food, art, design and music much more, in the shape of a design museum featuring Japan’s prolific industrial design for example. Or a fashion museum ranging from the kimono up to today’s much admired Japanese clothing, a Japanese film museum, a Japanese car museum. The keyword should be ‘Pleasure’, provide that and innovation and investment will automatically follow.

  Astrid Klein

  Architect and Co-founder, Klein Dytham architecture