European cities’ critical infrastructure lags behind global competitors 

European cities’ critical infrastructure lags behind global competitors 

Tokio Marine Group and the Economist Impact has launched a major new study into the most prominent risks faced by global cities.  

The Resilient Cities Index 2023, delves into 25 global cities’ ability to evade, withstand and recover from a spectrum of shocks and long-term stresses. In a world hurtling toward a future where over two-thirds of the global population will reside in cities by 2050, urban areas stand as humanity’s frontline against the unpredictable challenges of the 21st century.  

The study finds the resilience of European cities from London and Paris, to Amsterdam, Barcelona and Warsaw all score highly in their ability to withstand a series of environmental, social, economic and technological threats. However, Europe’s ageing infrastructure presents a clear gap in capabilities, compared to its international peers. The cities with the highest scores were Dubai, Shanghai, New York and Singapore.  

There are several factors contributing to cities in Europe not performing as well, with only two European cities (Barcelona and Amsterdam) included in the top ten in terms of resilience. Electricity is more expensive which can impact the financial and living expenses of city dwellers, with London, Amsterdam and Munich ranked bottom three.  Despite being home to some of the world’s first subway systems, Paris and London also fare comparatively poorly when it comes to transportation. 

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