'Software' areas hurt Singapore ranking in global city poll

High scores for stability, infrastructure, but low on culture, environment
Jessica Lim, Straits Times 13 Feb 10;

SINGAPORE scores highly in areas like infrastructure and stability, but does poorly when it comes to culture and living environment. That, at least, is the conclusion of a recent study by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), which ranked Singapore 53rd on a list of 140 cities worldwide for liveability.

The Republic scored better than culture capitals New York and London - which lost out because of crumbling infrastructure - but lower than Asian cities such as Hong Kong, Tokyo and Osaka.

The survey examined 30 factors in five categories: Stability, health care, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. Singapore's overall score was 88.5 out of a maximum of 100.

Hong Kong and Seoul did better, scoring 92 and 85.9 overall, respectively.

The top-ranked city, Vancouver, scored 98, while Osaka, the top Asian city in the poll, scored 95.2. Harare in Zimbabwe was ranked the lowest.

The Republic excelled in categories such as infrastructure and stability - scoring 100 and 95, respectively - but was dragged down by its score of 75.7 in the culture and environment category, which measures everything from the variety of quality concerts in the city to social restrictions such as censorship.

The annual survey, which combines research from resident experts and The Economist's analysts around the globe, is conducted by the magazine's research arm. The results of the EIU survey mirror those of another annual study done recently, which ranked Singapore the 70th most-liveable country out of 194.

That survey, conducted by the American magazine International Living, gave Singapore a failing grade in three out of nine categories: Climate, environment and freedom. The country excelled in the other areas, like infrastructure, which looks at factors including the length of railways and cellphones per capita.

On a score of 0-100, International Living's survey, which has been widely reported in US newspapers and elsewhere, gave Singapore a score of 39 for its climate and living environment - which includes factors such as average temperature and greenhouse emissions per capita - and 42 on the freedom scale, which measures areas such as civil liberties.

International Living's survey is compiled using government statistics, data from the World Health Organisation and the views of its editors around the globe.

France topped the survey, while Singapore's position put it alongside countries like Grenada (69) and Antigua and Barbuda (71).

News of the surveys comes on the back of the high-powered Economic Strategies Committee's suggestions last week that Singapore do more to develop 'software', such as its art and cultural scene, to match its top-notch 'hardware' in order to become a top-notch global city. Some of its suggestions include better assistance for arts and creative businesses in places like Gillman Village, and encouraging greater sponsorship of the arts.

Sociology experts and others were not surprised by the results, despite Singapore's extensive efforts to focus on culture and lifestyle over the last few years.

Said CIMB-GK Research's regional economist Song Seng Wun: 'Over the past 10 years, with infrastructure more or less in place, the Government has shifted its focus to the soft side like culture and freedom.

'But these things take time. In the medium term, we will probably continue to score low in these areas... hopefully we will evolve.'

Dr Mika Toyota, an assistant professor of sociology at the National University of Singapore, said: 'On the one hand, I think Singapore is interesting for foreigners to live in. There are great places to eat and cultural diversity, but at the same time, it is still developing in other ways, like the amount of space available for political discourse.

'A good quality of life means satisfaction not just due to efficiency, but an enriching lifestyle as whole,' she added.

Some Singaporeans, however, simply shrugged when asked about areas like the environment.

'We want a good transport system, iconic buildings, a beautiful skyline and places to relax and enjoy a drink,' said insurance consultant Lim Sock Wee, 50.

'Things like environmental issues are not a priority, and I won't put emphasis on them.'

Air stewardess Tan Xiu Mei, 27, said she is more concerned about bread-and-butter issues, like food prices. Asked about freedoms, she said: 'I don't really have much to voice anyway.'

Others, like mother of three Annie Jee, who is in her 40s, said such ambivalence frustrates her.

Noting that Singapore does not even have a battery recycling plant, she said: 'We are a First World country, and we need to advance beyond just physical infrastructure.'

Singapore more liveable than New York, less so than HK
Zul Othman, Today Online 13 Feb 10;

The Lion City has been ranked the world's 53rd most liveable city, in the latest survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

The Republic scored highly in stability and infrastructure, and its emphasis on healthcare and education also earned it top marks.

However, it did not fare as well in areas such as culture and living environment.

While it is ranked behind Hong Kong and Tokyo in Asia, for example, Singapore edged out London and New York, which were both pulled down by their crumbling infrastructure.

The EIU's liveability rating, part of the Worldwide Cost of Living Survey, aims to quantify the challenges that might be presented to an individual's lifestyle in 140 cities worldwide.

Each city is assigned a score for over 30 qualitative and quantitative factors across the five broad categories of stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.

The annual survey uses research involving resident experts and EIU's analysts.

Earning top spot in this year's poll is Vancouver, which scored well across all categories.

"The forthcoming Winter Games (also) contribute to a strong score in the cultural and sporting events category" for the city, said Mr Jon Copestake, editor of the report.

In contrast, Zimbabwe's ongoing social and economic crisis has made its capital Harare the worst city to live in.