Toronto and Vancouver could be the center of attention when it comes to well-known Canadian cities, but it turns out Calgary is the best place to live, at least this year.
The annual ranking of the most livable cities in the world has been published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and the Global Liveability Index of 2022, and Canada was the biggest winner, with three of its cities ranking in the top 10 first.
Cowtown, as it is affectionately known, not only has the honor of being the best ranked Canadian city on the list, but also ranks third in the world.
An undated photo of the Calgary skyline with fireworks. Getty Images
The ranking values 172 cities around the world on more than 30 factors, including access to health care, the number of green spaces, cultural and sports activities, crime rates and infrastructure.
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“The concept of habitability is simple: it assesses which places in the world offer the best or worst living conditions,” the Economist report states. A score of 1 is “intolerable,” according to the UIS, while 100 is “ideal”.
Each year, the list usually has many cities in North America and Western Europe claiming the best honors, and this year is no exception. Vienna, Austria, took first place, followed by Copenhagen, Denmark. Zurich, Switzerland and Calgary tied for third place. Vancouver followed just behind, winning fifth place.
Downtown Vancouver Apartment Buildings on the North Shore of False Creek, Vancouver, BC Douglas Williams / CP
However, factors such as war, riots and the ability to cope with COVID played into the ranking, meaning there were some key changes when comparing this year’s ranking with the 2021 list.
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Calgary, Canada’s third-largest municipality according to StatCan’s ranking, has risen 15 places since 2021, driven by early easing of the city’s pandemic restrictions. The city obtained a score of 96.3.
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Vancouver, which had dropped out of the Top 10 in 2021, was closely poking Calgary’s heels with a score of 96.1.
Toronto found its way back to first place, reaching eight after falling into the top 10 in 2021.
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Auckland, New Zealand fell to 33rd place this year, a big drop from last year’s first-place ranking, which was secured when the country closed its borders due to the pandemic and allowed residents live a fairly normal life.
Similarly, while Australia claimed four places in the top 10 last year due to the excellent quality of life and limited restrictions during the pandemic, three of these cities – Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth – fell from the top 10 this year both in the world. have lifted COVID restrictions.
A woman receives a COVID-19 test at a test station in Nelson Bay, Australia, on Monday, June 28, 2021. Mark Baker / The Associated Press
“Western European and Canadian cities dominate the top of our ranking,” the report states. “Life is almost back to normal in these cities due to high vaccination rates against COVID-19 and the easing of restrictions.”
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The ranking also notes that Kyiv, Ukraine, was not evaluated this year due to geopolitical unrest caused when Russia invaded in February. The Russian cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg also fell in the rankings on “censorship” and the impact of Western sanctions.
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The Economist warns that no ranking is forever, however, and that due to rising inflation, fuel costs and unstable food supply, next year’s ranking might look very different.
“The welcome increase in habitability this year could be short-lived,” the publication wrote.
TOP 10 CITIES
1. Vienna, Austria2. Copenhagen, Denmark 3. Zurich, Switzerland (draw) 3. Calgary, Canada (draw) 5. Vancouver, Canada 6. Geneva, Switzerland 7. Frankfurt, Germany 8. Toronto, Canada 9. Amsterdam, The Netherlands 10. Osaka, Japan (tie) 10. Melbourne, Australia (tie)
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