[js97]

Toronto ranked 16th.



http://www.mercer.com/qualityofliving

 

[Jonny5]

Interesting tidbits:

Rankings were based on data available as of November 2009.
5 Canadian cities outranked all other cities in the Americas.
Calgary is the world's top "eco-city" due to "its excellent level of service on waste removal, sewage systems, and water drinkability and availability, coupled with relatively low air pollution.”

 

[grey]

Calgary is the world's top "eco-city"

 

[SimonP]

From the report:

Eco-City Ranking 2010 includes the following criteria: Water availability, water potability, waste removal, sewage, air pollution and traffic congestion.

If those are the only factors they are using, this measure is pretty poor. Nothing about transit, land use, or economic impact.

 

[old boy]

Calgary is the world's top "eco-city"

Indeed ! These ranking surveys are nothing more than fodder for the comedy shows.

 

[Jonny5]

Indeed ! These ranking surveys are nothing more than fodder for the comedy shows.

So, what else is in the news. Oh, you here about this?
A new report came out the other day. It said Calgary is the world's top "eco-city"
*audience laughs*
Apparently they moved up in the rankings by cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50% last year.
*snickering*
Yeah, it's true. It's true.
In a related story, the Calgary city council cut their number of meetings by 50% last year.
*audience cheers*
Thank you! Let's hear it for the Tonight Show Band.

 

[SimonP]

The actual quality of life rankings seem more reasonable, both in their results and the stats they look at. Here is the full list of items that go into that one:

Political and Social Environment
* Relationship with other Countries
* Internal Stability
* Crime
* Law Enforcement
* Ease of Entry and Exit

Economic Environment
* Currency Exchange Regulations
* Banking Services

Socio-Cultural Environment
* Limitation on Personal Freedom
* Media and Censorship

Medical and Health Considerations
* Hospital Services
* Medical Supplies
* Infectious Diseases
* Water Potability
* Sewage
* Waste removal
* Air Pollution
* Troublesome and Destructive Animals and Insects

Schools and Education
* Schools

Natural Environment
* Climate
* Record of Natural Disasters

Public Services and Transport
* Electricity
* Water Availability
* Telephone
* Mail
* Public Transport
* Traffic Congestion
* Airport

Recreation
* Variety of Restaurants
* Theatrical and Musical Performances
* Cinemas
* Sport and Leisure Activities

Consumer Goods
* Meat and Fish
* Fruits and Vegetables
* Daily Consumption Items
* Alcoholic Beverages
* Automobiles

Housing
* Housing
* Household Appliances and Furniture
* Household Maintenance and Repair

The big caveat is that they are assessing cities based on how pleasant it is to be a relocated business executive. None of the figures take much account of social services and affordability. Being in Zurich and Vienna is nice if you have lots of money, but would be a lot harder if you were a poor immigrant.

 

[voxpopulicosmicum]

The big caveat is that they are assessing cities based on how pleasant it is to be a relocated business executive. None of the figures take much account of social services and affordability. Being in Zurich and Vienna is nice is you have lots of money, but would be a lot harder if you were a poor immigrant.

It's like the annual opinion polls on "Latin American attitudes" towards political leaders. The poll results would make you think that, somehow, Leftists win elections despite overwhelmingly negative public opinion. Then you get to the small print and find out the poll is a "survey of business leaders".

As an aside, I wonder when our fair city's vaunted prostitution industry will be explicitly cited as a major factor in business executives' quality of life.