Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a research branch of The Economist, makes annual global cities rankings in terms of living standards (Global Liveability Ranking), studying living conditions in 140 cities around the world. This year Dubai has demonstrated the best performance among the cities of the region.
In particular, according to such criteria as urban redevelopment and livability, Dubai took second place in this year’s ranking due to the numerous initiatives of the Dubai Government implemented in the field of urban projects and infrastructure development. It is worth mentioning here the on-going construction of a new unique building, a giant Dubai Frame, remote areas redevelopment, including, for example, Al Barsha re-construction, transport system improvements, and a number of new shopping malls opened recently, as well as four major theme parks scheduled for completion for the nearest future. Opera District will be a special gem in the Dubai’s "crown", with both the area, and Dubai Opera House giving Dubai a new cultural gloss with the best world-class cultural events to be hosted there.
Global Liveability Ranking, which is part of the Worldwide Cost of Living Survey, accounts for more than 30 different factors affecting the individual lifestyle, the most important of which are five main categories. They are stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. And in all of these categories Dubai is developing steadily.
When accessed according to a 100-point assessment system, where 100 is a perfect living environment, and 1 stands for completely unacceptable living conditions, Dubai scored 74.7 points this time, improving its previous result by 4.6% since 2011. And by 2020, as believed by local authorities, the city will be able to break it through to the highest places in a ranking due to the quality of life in the city.
So far, 6 out of the top 10 best world's cities to live in, according to the EIU, are located in Australia and Canada, with Melbourne consecutively retaining its crown as the world's most liveable city. It should also be noted that many cities have worsened their performance due to the unstable geopolitical situation in a number of European and Asian countries, with armed conflicts and troubled zones of instability in various regions, among which Dubai is deservedly known for its “safe heaven” status in the ocean of economic and political strife raging around. Besides, last year Dubai was ranked third after Shanghai and Beijing in the list of cities most successfully implementing the positive aspects of globalization in its development, according to JLL report.
And The Global Cities 2016 Report by Knight Frank ranked Dubai among the five best cities for business development and real estate investments. Currently, Dubai is leading in the spheres of new business centers construction, active development of residential real estate, as well as in design and implementation of commercial, retail, office complexes and large-scale infrastructure projects.