The FP Top 100 Global Thinkers

16 Global Cities to Watch

From Singapore to Christchurch, the urban centers that are shaping the next century.

BY EDWARD GLAESER, SASKIA SASSEN | NOVEMBER 28, 2011


1. Singapore.
Surely the world's best-managed city, if a little too orderly for my own taste. It's always worth watching what they are up to, because they provide a clear model for much of the world. —Edward Glaeser

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

 

Edward Glaeser is an economist at Harvard University

Saskia Sassen is a sociologist at Columbia University

 

MARKMIGNET

1:48 PM ET

November 28, 2011

Gurgaon of all places?

I'm surprised and shocked to see Gurgaon listed as #2 in this list. Gurgaon is a satellite to New Delhi, with horrible infrastructure. If a bunch of mid-rises could make a city good then only Gurgaon could be called a promising city. Whatever else lies there is utter chaos. Surely you shall agree if you see the place ones physically.

 

LISA_GENIVO

12:09 AM ET

December 1, 2011

I may not have much of it

I may not have much of it left, but I may just lose my hair again from reading comments like this. Have you ever been to Gurgaon? I have. Maybe you should frequent a place before you talk trash about it my friend.

 

SWEINBERG

3:09 PM ET

December 4, 2011

Shaping the Next Century... for Better or Worse?

Presumably, the authors intended to mean shaping in a positive way. I for one was also surpirsed to see some of these cities, even Athens on the list? With the debt crisis, and economic pressures, it's difficult to understand how this influence could be in a positive way, especially for the rest of the Eurpoean Union.
As to Gurgaon, having visited myself, I couldn't imagine a more contrasting city to name immediately following Singapore. Just consider the infrastructure, from public utilities to emergency services, you would be hard pressed to classify those two as equivalent. How long would one expect to wait to see a firefighter or ambulance? Emergency response in Singapore is certainly superior in my experience.
Although, the authors leave room, as they do say for the next Century - in that time period, anything is possible.
I would surmise that the authors intended for the discussion to revolve around such details, as we should ask the question - shaping the next century for the greater good of the local population, or the greater good of humanity? Or did they in fact imply, shaping the next century for Better and for Worse?

 

ETHEKYAA

8:52 AM ET

December 9, 2011

LOLz

Gurgaon looks like diarrhea compared to the other cities. Now that I think about it, all of India's cities, except in the south, look like diarrhea.

 

LMVA

4:32 PM ET

November 28, 2011

Beautiful

I cannot wait until I can travel around the world.

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OCTAVYO24

6:56 PM ET

November 28, 2011

Wonderful but...

Singapore is a wonderful town to visit for sure but in my opinion there are many others too that deserves your visit. Starting with the most luxorious the well-known Dubai that not counting the stores also has the #1 hotel in the world i think "Burj-Al-Arab". I would love to go to Dubai just to see this place alone....It`s a paradise in my opinion.

And we can finish our visit with the most wanted cities for shopping like London, Paris, Milano etc....

And those are just a few. There are many more to visit if you ad the time and money to do it.

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UTOPIKA

11:48 AM ET

December 8, 2011

I agree...

but I think that this city as well as Dubai will have a problem because they are building so many buildings. Many with borrowed money. wiekannichschnellabnehmenI hope not but I think that Singapore is in a real estate bubble which will burst soon.

 

SANMAY

11:10 PM ET

November 28, 2011

Ohh that's wonderful

I am very happy that Gurgaon is in the this list.. because.. Gurgaon has seen significant growth as a centre for outsourcing within India. Companies such as Google, Microsoft and Genpact have offices in the area.
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12:22 AM ET

November 29, 2011

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SIDDHARTH

12:53 AM ET

November 29, 2011

Gurgaon? Really?

It is really unfortunate to see Gurgaon in the list.

Gurgaon is an example of disastrous planning and shows how not to create a new township.

It is at the pinnacle of the divide between the Haves and the Have-Nots. The satellite town rages with fury of the poor against the non deserving so called neo-rich with ransacked pubs and discotheques.

Third category infrastructure; air-conditioned offices, homes and malls with no roads to connect each other.

Next to zero policing. Four times personal security guards than the number city police personnel. Residential and commercial complexes broadcasting about self sufficient electricity and water supplies, showing the incompetence of the governmental authorities.

Gurgaon, for sure, is a non deserving entry here.

 

ADAMCONNECTS

1:35 AM ET

November 29, 2011

One more for the list..Baghdad

According to all my investment research and many world leaders Iraq is going to explode with new development and investment from all over the world. It will either rise from the ashes or continue down the hard road already traveled. Either way a city worth watching and one on it's way up! - Doterra Essential Oils Girl

 

RICK1984

6:43 AM ET

November 29, 2011

Thank you for putting Singapore into the list

Singapore. What can I say. It's a great city. Definitely a city to buat duit online. Its a wonderful place to be. It is just a small island but look at how it emerge in the global world. I think Singapore deserve a good no.1 spot on this list.

 

VALUATION

8:50 AM ET

November 29, 2011

shocked to watch

Shocked to watch list no. 2.. ha ha

what is that in Old Indian property?? why it is on no 2? very strange..

BTW

thankx
Mr Valuation

 

MR FARLY

10:35 AM ET

December 2, 2011

a

It's shows a growing city. The city is moving forward and building.

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MAISSA.FERNANDES68

1:44 PM ET

November 29, 2011

very nice photos

Very nice photos, want me travel again soon.

Why not put any africa city ?

Most asia city photos look amazing

 

DARON

3:10 PM ET

November 29, 2011

Suprised!

I really am surprised at some of the top picks but it amazes me how the city s around the world are changing so rapidly noways! Link text

 

DONALI

5:23 PM ET

November 29, 2011

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is an incredible city. If you ever get the chance to go, do it. The food there for the most part is terrific.

 

NICK_KINGS

12:27 PM ET

November 30, 2011

Vancouver

I appreciate the add of Vancouver, I think that Canada is growing economically more quickly than people know, and Vancouver has a number of tourist industries that are on fire, from sea planes to the beauty of victoria to scuba certification off the cost to all the famous cruise ships and fishing tours. Such a beautiful city that I think will help lead Canada into more of a worldwide leader.

 

VICTORPANAK

4:15 PM ET

December 12, 2011

two things

First: i find it jokes that the above thinks Canada will ever be anything close to a worldwide leader. Canada is wimpy. You're talking about some tourist boom in one city and then you name "sea planes" and"fishing tours" as activities that might help make Canada a world leader. hahaha, too funny. Not to mention while Vancouver may be booming, east coast canadian cities seem pretty stagnant (I live in Montreal, so I'm not completely talking out of my ass).

Second: too many people on this site fail to understand what article authors are trying to say. Reading these comments, I get the feeling people are reading this in the hopes of finding a nice vacation destination. People are talking about shopping, "having the money to visit city X", or tourism. Y'all seem to be a bunch of aloof idiots. This isn't the Michelin guide, these cities are important because of the kinds of growth they each exhibit and what that growth means/signifies for that country or for the world in general. Gurgaon is a perfect #2 because the huge expansion in the IT industry in that city is a crucial sign of the changes occurring in India. Such changes include the growth of a liberal, self-sustaining middle class with western values. Whether you think the change is good or bad (for your vacation trip to gurgaon) is irrelevant. What matters is that these changes are incredibly important for India. And so Gurgaon has become the Indian poster child.

Seriously people...

 

ANKIT.JAN2011

11:21 PM ET

November 29, 2011

Very Good

Nice photos. Really loving this site. Gurgaon has a horrible infrastructure. Himachal Tourism

 

BELAVALENITINE

1:55 AM ET

November 30, 2011

The reasoning for picking

The reasoning for picking these cities is extremely sophomoric. One would have expected more.

 

KHAREN0017

2:07 AM ET

November 30, 2011

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CHITRANSH GAURAV

5:40 AM ET

November 30, 2011

Gurgaon!

Showcasing Delhi/New Delhi/Bangalore/Chennai/Mumbai/Hyderbad would have been better! But Gurgaon!!!!!
Its merely a suburb we can say! Though it is having major IT giants, Offices, industries, it is still incomparable to the cities enlisted!

 

AWE LTD

10:52 AM ET

November 30, 2011

Not convinced

Hmmm....

I would probably add Oslo, Helsinki, and Reykjavik.

If the whole European project falls we may well see a new nordic trading arena rise from it's ashses.

Finland has elected the true Finns party, Reykjavik had a referendum to prevent the payout to firms investing in their banks and I'd be surprised if any of them would be particularly upset if their southern european neighbours just left them to it...

 

AWE LTD

10:56 AM ET

November 30, 2011

chuckles

I think i'd like to visit each and everyone of these cities / countries.

Well - apart from going to brazil :-s

awe

 

MAINO

1:14 PM ET

November 30, 2011

Well at least you have a sense of humour

The EU? Seriously?

This failed project will only become more irrelevant as the decade progresses.

 

NICKIJAMES

4:30 PM ET

November 30, 2011

Images are spectacular

Gurgaon looks desolate and depressing to me. I agree with the vote for Vancouver. If I had to live outside the US that's where I would go.

 

JAKE STRICKLAND

12:39 AM ET

December 1, 2011

I can't wait to visit

Thank you for this post. I will be traveling soon and I hope I will be able to visit Cairo. fast cash commissions review

 

THISISME

1:35 PM ET

December 1, 2011

What a pity

Athens used to be such a beautiful city and look at it now ... it's filled with chaos, dogs and junk. What a pity :( We will have to look for new ways to gain money in order to end with this global crisis.

 

MANYHOT0

4:45 PM ET

December 1, 2011

Love Singapore

Singapore is rated in no.1 is really happy to see. I have been there once, it's so beautiful. I definitely love this place. The other places, I don't know, but Singapore is a highly recommend place to visit. As what this article said, Singapore is world's best-managed city.Singapore just like Appledesign.lol

 

SEINERIVER

5:27 AM ET

December 7, 2011

Singapore

Yes, i agree with you. I was live in Singapore 6 months ago, this city so beautiful and very clean. Singapore has adopted a new law that tries to keep streets clean, if you drop a cigarette butts on the street, you may be fined 25$ and alot of place do not have smoking areas. I will comeback to Singapore very soon, love this city.

Asia has alot of beautiful city, Seoul, Jakarta, Hanoi, Bong da is a example, Asia people very friendly. I recommend people enjoy vacation here.

 

BELLTOWN SW

5:49 PM ET

December 1, 2011

Snow and sushi - gotta love Vancouver!

Very well thought out list of prominent and up-and-coming cities. I was actually talking with my chiropractor about what cities were really important and designed well. Of course, being from Washington, we're kind of biased and love Seattle. It was recently ranked really highly for tech jobs in LinkedIn.com. I agree that Vancouver is pretty amazing. It's really a beautiful city and so much more culturally rich than many other cities.

 

SABIAN1982

5:17 AM ET

December 2, 2011

Wow!

That is an amazing photo of Singapore and Hong Kong is on my 'list' of places I want to visit! The speed at which these countries are developing and expanding phenomenally! You wouldn't know there was a global recession on at the moment! lol

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UTOPIKA

11:50 AM ET

December 8, 2011

I also want to visit this both cities...

I also want to visit this both cities before the real estate bubble bursts in this two cities. They are building builings after builings. wiekannichschnellabnehmen The next one more impressive than the other one. Sure worth a visit before the bubble bursts in a few years...

 

KNECTOR

7:05 AM ET

December 2, 2011

Great looking

I really like these kind of pictures, those city lights at night looks so great, they get me in the mood to play guitar.

 

JOHNNPARKER

8:44 AM ET

December 2, 2011

Africa?

I am fortunate enough to say that I have visited most of the cities on your list. I am however, a little disappointed that there are no Southern African cities on your list. Accra? Cape Town? Luanda? lpn programs

 

CALUME

10:58 AM ET

December 2, 2011

This is great.

Amazing photo of Hong Kong and Singapore
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REMIX919

11:21 AM ET

December 2, 2011

Interesting Choices

This is definitely a very interesting list of cities to keep an eye out for, not quite what I expected at all when I first saw the headline, but I'll be sure to keep a look and see what makes these cities so special.

- Scott

 

LEEOOING

2:19 PM ET

December 2, 2011

my lovely city is Singapore

hello everyone i would like to vote for Singapore. this is the most beautiful country in Asian.. if you are still confuse for looking place to go chirsitmas holiday. i should consider between thailand and singarpore.
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ALEXKERNE

2:54 PM ET

December 2, 2011

Vancouver is always worth a trip

We got to vancouver after a cruist from San Francisco US and it is a great city. Everybody who can do a trip to Vancouver should take this chance. We would come back for sure.

 

CELLPETROL

2:58 PM ET

December 2, 2011

I Want To See Singapore!

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PHILBEST

10:42 PM ET

December 2, 2011

Christchurch is a debacle already

"Christchurch: A massive rebuilding effort following this year's New Zealand earthquake is a unique opportunity to rethink urban form. —EG"

A prolonged debate is proceeding in New Zealand, regarding the rebuilding of the earthquake-damaged city of Christchurch. Elderly property magnate Sir Robert Jones is the most prominent of those suggesting that the planners and local politicians have got it wrong. Jones wrote in a recent op-ed:
“……It is time to face the reality that the Christchurch central business district (CBD) cannot be rebuilt.
Cities have many components, such as libraries, art galleries, council offices, theatres, halls and other public facilities. These comprise the indulgent element, paid for from the public purse. But they cannot exist in isolation and alone constitute a city. Rather, they emanate from the steady organic growth of a city's commercial activities in the form of shops and offices.
Prior to the earthquakes, Christchurch's CBD retail heart was already in trouble, with empty shops abounding, while those remaining lived off the office workers, now gone. This was a direct consequence of the construction of large suburban shopping centers, which killed off the CBD as a retail location, just as has occurred in many other cities throughout the Western World……
“…… Aside from that, the investors needed to take the end product off the developer would shy away, and without such pre-commitment, banks would not fund their construction. Pre-earthquake Christchurch was deemed a poor office-building investment location by major professional investors for sound reasons, because its office market lacked rental, and therefore capital, growth potential. Thus, the city's buildings were owned by local hobbyists and sentimentalists, as is the case with our provincial cities.
Already, Auckland commercial real estate agents are reporting a deluge of Christchurch commercial property owners seeking to reinvest their insurance proceeds in a superior investment location. In that sense, for many of these people, the earthquake has proven to be a savior windfall……
“…….Christchurch has always justifiably boasted of being our garden city. A new and realistic strategy should build on this desirable feature and abandon thoughts of resurrecting its CBD. It could follow the model of many Christchurch-sized American cities with insignificant CBDs and instead comprise suburbs, each with its own commercial centre of low-rise, low-cost, walkup offices with shops below, in garden settings, much like the delightful Havelock North. Such buildings are quickly built, cheap and will find a ready end-investor market.
If Christchurch was to restructure itself in this fashion, which is both practically and financially feasible, it would be an army of gardeners and not builders that would be required, to transform it into a very different but hugely admired, fabulous garden city.
Existing major buildings that withstood the quake, such as the Art Gallery, the Forsythe Barr tower and others, would no longer sit in a city streetscape, but instead in isolation in a garden setting linked by avenues. It would not be a worse scenario, but instead different from before and arguably a great deal more appealing. The planners should abandon the ridiculous “Noddyland” terraced offices proposal put before the public, plainly designed by people with no awareness of contemporary office market demands……”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/rebuilding-christchurch/5696381/CBD-can-t-be-rebuilt-Bob-Jones
The debate continues, with the local politicians talking of the “dream” that “the people of Christchurch” have - this being the small minority who actually participated in the consultation processes - and realists like Jones. Sadly, there seems to be an underlying motivation of dislike of “big business” men and property developers, without an understanding that these people actually represent the myriads of customers whose spending decisions ultimately decide the viability of an investment – even if they do not get involved in “community consultation” over their preferences.
A Professor John McDonough of Lincoln University, who seems to have done a lot of homework on what tenants pay, and can afford, for rentals in the city of Christchurch, was quoted by the “National Business Review” as saying in his public submission to the Christchurch City Council:
"The central city will not be rebuilt except for a few isolated government, civic, and corporate buildings until the rental and building cost relationships make economic sense. That may be never - or a long time.......It is critical to start rebuilding and reoccupation as soon as possible otherwise people will get used to not having a central business district. This is already happening......
".......What is missing and urgently required, is a clear willingness by the city council to stimulate early and economically feasible rebuilding. This may mean compromise on some of the more aspirational aspects of the plan in the short term. As the central city is rebuilt, tenants return, customers return, business turnover rises, rents rise. Then and only then can we expect the style of building currently envisaged in the draft plan, to be put in place. Delay will make a doughnut city a reality".

 

QUEENSTOWNER

11:04 PM ET

December 9, 2011

Christchurch a City to Watch?

Christchurch has always been regarded as a beautiful city, but never a progressive, or entrepeneurial type of city. I agree that now it should be watched to see what they come up with, since they actually have time to plan, and the funds to rebuild.

From the ashes , so to speak, we may actually see some initiative that will change the atitudes of locals and international investors. I think devastation has its place in the world. Look at the aftermath of the wars, and other major natural catastrophies. Yes accepted there is much loss of human life, but when redevelopment has happened, we find huge improvements in economy and infrastructure.

Germany, Italy and Japan became world leaders when they were rebuilt. They had an advantage over the rest of the world as they installed the very best of technology, and their skill base was channelled into productive areas, boosting their economy. Look at modern China and its amazing climb from poverty to riches, as they rebuild their economy. Mexico is another classic example of progress from a financial disaster, to a bustling economy.

Christchurch is home to many conservative, small thinkers, who are unlikely to think outside of the box and recognise the opportunity that they now have. The eyes of the world are now on them, and I as a New Zealander intend to watch with interest what they do. I agree that the actual inner city is best forgotton, as i beleive that is just tempting fate again. As the previous article mentioned, the buildings were ugly, substandard, and undesirable to investors and shoppers alike.

As a person who watches with interest the natural catastophies around the world, and then looks at the various geographical and geological patterns evolving. I see that New Zealand is long overdue for some major earthquakes and volcanic activity. The Christchurch earthquake was minor to what is likely to happen shortly As a country with live volcanoes that sits on the Pacific ring of fire, there is likely to be pressure building up that will require an outlet due to the earthquakes currently happenning in New Zealand.

I have seen geological charts that show where all the earthquakes epicenters have been for the last few thousand years which have formed the current landscape of NZ, and also where they expect the next ones to affect. The trend is to the right of the south Island, which includes Christchurch, so if I were rebuilding Christchurch, I would do exactly as the previous respondant said and concentrate on Christchurchs' recognised positives, and take the old business centre on a wider path to the suburbs, where it can be absorbed in a more desirable setting.

What I believe a key feature of Christchurch is, and where it should concentrate its rebuilding efforts, is that is is the hub for international tourist arrivals to the South Island of NZ. It is also the central distribution area for rural and urban commerce in the South Island. The Port and airport contribute in a major way to the local economy with job creation and all the associated spinoffs. To lose this to other centres where they have less instability and lower costs would be fatal to Christchurch.

The current spinoff from the earthquake is greedy speculators and landowners, trying to capitalise on relocating businesses from the affected zones. Unless this is addressed people will look elsewhere in places such as auckland where the return on investment is greater. With a shortage of beds due to affected buildings being condemned, more tourists and visitors spend more time at other destinations such as Queenstown where it is safer and more desirable. Queenstown is also increasing its international flight numbers, bypassing Christchurch and capturing more of the tourist dollar.

The exodus from Christchurch was not just marginal, and many people will never return. To grow and rebuild a viable city, Christchurch local government must consider their strengths and build on them, and not just attempt to replace what they had which was mediocre.

 

JUDITH STEEN

1:25 AM ET

December 4, 2011

Im for Vancouver and Singapore

Widely different cities, I know, but each has their own appeal and their own influence in their particular region.
I am not aware of what the municipal authorities plans are for Vancouver, but I do know that Singapore is very carefully planned and has a wide ranging set of goals firmly in place.
They better put their police sunglasses on, because their future is so bright!

 

JOEYFOTO.FR

2:50 AM ET

December 4, 2011

Marseilles...jt

I's add Marseilles, because Marseilles is the incubator of Muslim, Christian, Jewish integration into secular French culture...To the extent that mutual understanding grows and integration is made to work there, Europe can be saved brutal decades of conflict... We'll see...jt

 

BRADUDAN

6:16 AM ET

December 4, 2011

Burj al Arab rules

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UNSOURCER

7:10 AM ET

December 4, 2011

Athens

I think Athens must be in this watch list too ^^ . SEO

 

MONKCHANAN

1:44 PM ET

December 4, 2011

Vancouver AND Calgary AND Toronto

Someone predicted the 21Century is Canada's as well as China's. One thing you don't realise about Vancouver - it rains, no, it pours from October until April!THe sun literally goes away and doesn't come back in those months! THAT is VERY hard to Live With!

Toronto is Canada's New York City - populated and also thinks its the centre of the world - of about 7 million. Its become Hollywood North if you haven't noticed. And immigrants like from the Caribbean as well as Italy.

Calgary is going to be the West's answer to Dubai. With two hundred billion dollars going through this city for Oil Industry projects. Its lowest corporate taxation in North America is becoming the new place of choice for Business Head Offices. One big reason - its doorstep is the Beauty of the Rockies of Banff and Lake Louise - And oh - its the Sunniest city in Canada! One and a half million population now, but its booming like L.A. It now boasts significantly more head offices than Montreal. Unemployment? There isn't any! And its the favourite stop-over for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge!

 

NATE_JOHNSON1

12:39 PM ET

December 8, 2011

Toronto

I agree that toronto is a major up and comer, though I don't think the rain necessarily limits Vancouver, as rain = natural resources which only help keep fueling growth of the industry. From the new diamond mines for people to buy a conflict-free engagement ring to increasing fruit harvests, new wineries, the every growing fishing industry (fish are going to pass beef within a generation or two as the default meat in my opinion) CA natural resources will be important going forward

 

ETHEKYAA

8:59 AM ET

December 9, 2011

This is definitely Canada's

This is definitely Canada's century, but we need to be careful as our American neighbours might be becoming too poor to buy our stuff. Don't discount cities like Saskatoon, which has the highest economic growth rate in Canada. Canada is truly blessed to have such abundance in natural resources.

 

ETHEKYAA

8:59 AM ET

December 9, 2011

This is definitely Canada's

This is definitely Canada's century, but we need to be careful as our American neighbours might be becoming too poor to buy our stuff. Don't discount cities like Saskatoon, which has the highest economic growth rate in Canada. Canada is truly blessed to have such abundance in natural resources.

 

RNRJVJ

8:36 PM ET

December 4, 2011

I am so proud

I am sooo proud that Singapore is listed in the first position. I am from Singapore! burnham boilers

 

CRISTHOMAS1063

2:55 AM ET

December 6, 2011

Singapore is Truly Number One

Well, I'm not from Singapore but I'm really amazed with this city. They have a lot of attractions and opportunities in such a small city. In fact, I have a lot of friends who work there as consultants, programmers, managers, tennis serve coach, accountants, etc.. It's a good city to go to for vacation and work given the current recession.

 

TOM ELLIOTT

10:38 AM ET

December 6, 2011

i luvvvv Singapore

Apart from its cleanliness the one thing that impresses me is the total and utter refusal to accept any kind of crime is petty.

If a lot of other countries adopted their stance they wouldn't suffer the avalanche of crime that blights many of us

Tom

 

AMEN

8:57 PM ET

December 6, 2011

I love Singapore :)

Well you are right! There is always hope. From me, you might know.

 

AMEN

8:59 PM ET

December 6, 2011

No worries.

No worries.

 

KAWAMASTER

4:33 AM ET

December 7, 2011

16 Global Cities to Watch

Nice list of cities here. Some are definitely on my todo list. I am so jealous of the people that take those great pictures of this cityscapes. Never manage to get my pictures anywhere near the ones you show here. The only good pictures i take are of schaatsen kopen a big sport in the netherlands. Might take a course or something to get the citypictures right next time i visit one.

Thanks for posting makes me wanna travel

 

AMINAKIS

7:56 PM ET

December 7, 2011

It is really unfortunate to

It is really unfortunate to see Gurgaon in the list.

Gurgaon is an example of disastrous planning and shows how not to create a new township.

It is at the pinnacle of the divide between the Haves and the Have-Nots. The satellite town rages with fury of the poor porn movies against the non deserving so called neo-rich with ransacked pubs and discotheques.

Third category infrastructure; air-conditioned offices, homes and malls with no roads to connect each other.

Next to zero policing. Four times personal security guards than the number city police personnel. Residential and commercial complexes broadcasting about self sufficient electricity and water supplies, showing the incompetence of the governmental authorities.

Gurgaon, for sure, is a non deserving entry here.

 

GR8CHEFMRD

9:05 PM ET

December 7, 2011

Philadelphia would do well to follow these examples

I am a business owner in Philadelphia and deal with rampant inefficiency, a deteriorating infrastructure and bureaucratic red tape. To see these cities, some of which are operating with budgets much less than Philadelphia, moving towards the future sets off a light in my head. If all cities had the same focus then transporting custom wedding and celebration cakes through potholed, unmarked and poorly lit streets could become a memory.

 

GR8CHEFMRD

9:13 PM ET

December 7, 2011

Philadelphia should be like these cities

I am a business owner in Philadelphia and deal with rampant inefficiency, a deteriorating infrastructure and bureaucratic red tape. To see these cities, some of which are operating with budgets much less than Philadelphia, moving towards the future sets off a light in my head. If all cities had the same focus then transporting custom wedding and celebration cakes through potholed, unmarked and poorly lit streets could become a memory.

 

KALEMARO

2:17 AM ET

December 8, 2011

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JOHANMALMO

7:42 AM ET

December 12, 2011

 

BOBBIEMAC

11:12 PM ET

December 8, 2011

No thought

Wow, I thought that this was gonna be a list that would enlighten me. But nope it seems to be a no brainier. There are alot more cities in the US that people should keep there eye on. Like what city is the number one spot for jobs. And why, and so on. I think that is the concern of most now days. Hey the Battlefield 3 Strategy Guide had more insight to it.

 

TIM LO

12:11 PM ET

December 9, 2011

Global Cities to Watch- London

Hong Kong/Shenzhen I can understand from my own dealings in the computer / IT sector, but I was surprised that London only got a mention due to the Olympics in 2012. What about the fact that it has recently been announced that the whole of the East London corridor (which includes the area covered by the Olympics) is being considered as the UK's answer to Silicon Valley. You mention Shenzhen I presume for the same reason, but as someone who works in the IT business and in particular SEOSurrey services, this area is a thriving and perhaps worth considering above and beyond the Olypics - which after all only last for a few weeks!

 

KAULITS

5:14 AM ET

December 10, 2011

if you have time would be to

if you have time would be to visit each on a different day so that you are not rushed. If you finish with spare italian fashion wholesale, there is plenty of things to look at in the surrounding are of Regents Park or Camden Town.

 

VICTORIA72

6:07 AM ET

December 10, 2011

London is definately one to

London is definately one to watch! Next year perhaps there will be riots, perhaps the olympics will be an umitigated badly organised disaster or maybe it'll go off without a hitch - whatever happens it will be worth watching closely.

 

JOHANMALMO

7:41 AM ET

December 12, 2011

I agree

The olympics is causing a lot "bad apples" to suddenly come to the surface...

/ Sökmotoroptimering

 

EL DIRKO

11:01 AM ET

December 10, 2011

Balance of Power in Europe

Interesting list and while I know too little about the BRIC states to comment, but I would bet dollars to doughnuts that Berlin/Frankfurt will dwarf London in a few years, if only in terms of political influence. With the UK staying out of the new EU treaties, the City will probably be marginalised and penalised, which might lead to banks moving back to the continent.

Best wishes,
Dirk

 

JACOB84

7:24 PM ET

December 10, 2011

I need to get out more

A list of the 16 most important cities in the globe an I've only been to 2 of them. Looks like I need to make it a goal to travel more :)

Jake

 

JOHANMALMO

7:39 AM ET

December 12, 2011

Cant imagine why!?

Why don't I see my home town here!? We have 5000 inhabitants and our own train station :)

Awesome pictures.

/ Sökmotoroptimering

 

JASIEK

8:25 AM ET

December 12, 2011

Awesome

Great pictures.
Would love to see some of that places.

 

DOMINOES

6:01 PM ET

December 12, 2011

Don't forget about Texas

I think Austin should be added to the list because it is a tech center...it is not a transportation collection agency hub, but for anyone who knows anything about Austin, they know it is growing rapidly and it has a lot to offer the world.....just something to consider for the next D800 summit.

 

MICHELFEENSTRA

4:47 PM ET

December 14, 2011

Gurgaon?

Never heard of it before. i think it's in China, but i don't think that's a great city. sexshop Dildo but i think London is one of the best cities out there

 

CHISWICKINTERNATIONAL

5:59 PM ET

December 14, 2011

Why no cities from Central and Eastern Europe?

While the photography is beautiful, I too am a little surprised by the pick of Cities. There seems quite a strong bias towards East and South Asia and North America. These might be important centres now, but there are plenty of fast-growing, but much less prettier cities that I would have liked to see on the list. There are so many vibrant, fast growing cities in Central and Eastern Europe that are full of energy, revitalisation and growth. I am sad they didn't make the list.

 

PAROSKI

7:18 PM ET

December 15, 2011

balderesi

Unutmadan özellikle s?nav dönemlerinde çocuklar?m?zda bir hayli stres yüksek seviyeye ç?kmaktad?r.??te tam bu dönemde çocuklar?m?za balderesi Karakovan Bal?'n? Tükettirmeliyiz.Çünkü Hem Gün içerisinde ya?ad?klar? sinir ve stres için hemde S?nav dönemlerinde ya?ad?klar? sinir ve stresi azaltmak için mutlaka ama mutlaka Balderesini Tükettirmeliyiz.