By admin (July 10, 2024)
Toronto Falls as Two Canadian Cities Shine in Livability Rankings
When it comes to quality of life, wholesome scenery, and warm locals, Canada has always been touted. Not so much so in the latest Global Liveability Index, composed by the Economist Intelligence Unit, exhibiting both good news and surprising shifts for Canadian cities. In the 2024 ranking, two Canadian cities have made it to the top most livable cities in the world. Toronto slipped out of the top 10 for the first time in years.
The Winners: Vancouver and Calgary
Vancouver and Calgary have risen like beacons of Canada by representing the country in the top tiers of global liveability.
According to EIU, these are the top ten livable cities in the world.
- Vienna, Austria
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Melbourne, Australia
- Calgary, Canada
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Sydney, Australia
- Vancouver, Canada
- Osaka, Japan
- Auckland, New Zealand
Vancouver: The Gem on the Coast
Located between the Pacific Ocean and the Coastal Mountains, Vancouver combines excellent scenic beauty with a temperate climate. The city then regularly scores highly in the livability index because of its benchmark healthcare systems, transcendent cultural attributes, and sturdy infrastructure.
Some of the key factors behind Vancouver’s high ranking include:
Healthcare: It boasts world-class medical facilities, public health-oriented features, and access to top-tier quality healthcare services for all its citizens.
Education: The city is home to one of the highest rated academic institutions, the University of British Columbia, improving the city’s educational landscape.
Environment: Vancouver’s green spaces, in the form of a highly extensive network of parks, along with reductions in carbon emissions, provide a better lifestyle for citizens.
Cultural Diversity: Its rich multicultural population allows for an all inclusive community with all kinds of cultural festivals and really unique culinaries.
Calgary: The Energy Hub
The next Canadian city to perform very highly in most global liveability rankings is Calgary, located in the province of Alberta. Calgary has a reputation for a great quality of life amidst urban sophistication and natural beauty, with the Rocky Mountains not too far from the city limits.
Key factors that let Calgary reach its ranking include:
Economic Stability: Calgary is a large hub for the oil and gas industries, which provide a robust economy with a lot of employment opportunities.
Healthcare and Education: Like Vancouver, healthcare and education are very well represented in Calgary, with institutions like the University of Calgary.
Recreation: There are plenty of recreational activities, from winter sports in the surrounding mountains to a range of festivals and cultural events hosted within the city itself.
Safety: Calgary boasts low crime rates and creates a feeling of safety for its citizens.
The Shock: The Fall of Toronto
The most updated rankings place Toronto outside the top 10 list of the world’s most livable cities. It used to be high on the list as it is Canada’s largest city and one of the biggest cultural and economic hubs. Several factors have contributed to its approximate decline in recent rankings:
Cost of Living: With Toronto’s house prices and, in general, the cost of living reaching the roof, it is highly difficult for people to maintain a good quality of life.
Infrastructure Strains: The growth rate of this city has been so rapid that it has started putting pressure on its infrastructure, whether it be in the form of congested roads or saturated public services.
Safety Concerns: Although relative to many cities, Toronto is considered safe, different types of crime have seen an upward swing, thus affecting its safety score.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further had an impact, with healthcare services and livability impacted as the city grapples with long term impacts.
The 2024 Global Liveability Index showcases the dynamics of urban living and the many factors that go into a city’s ranking. While Vancouver and Calgary shine as exemplars of Canadian livability, Toronto’s surprising drop acts to remind a growing urban center of the weight of its challenges. It is in light of these dynamic factors that the quest to improve livability presents itself to planners, policymakers, and communities around the world. For more information, please visit our Oasis-India customer support page.