* Professional Analysis of the Sustainable Cities Index 2024
The Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2024 evaluates cities based on four pillars: Planet (Environmental Sustainability), People (Social Factors), Profit (Economic Strength), and Progress (Sustainability Improvements Over Time). The addition of the Progress pillar this year provides insights into how well cities have improved their sustainability efforts over the past decade.
The Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2024 evaluates cities based on four pillars: Planet (Environmental Sustainability), People (Social Factors), Profit (Economic Strength), and Progress (Sustainability Improvements Over Time). The addition of the Progress pillar this year provides insights into how well cities have improved their sustainability efforts over the past decade.
* Top 10 Cities: Why They Rank the Highest
These cities excel in environmental policies, mobility solutions, and economic resilience.
Amsterdam (#1)
Strengths: Leader in climate neutrality, public transit, and urban energy policies.
Key Policy: Climate Neutral 2050 Roadmap (95% CO₂ reduction vs. 1990 levels).
Rotterdam (#2)
Strengths: Focus on air pollution reduction, CO₂ management, and sustainable mobility.
Challenge: Needs to expand green spaces and renewable energy adoption.
Copenhagen (#3)
Strengths: Cycling infrastructure, renewable energy, and carbon neutrality goals.
Key Initiative: Copenhagen Climate Plan 2025.
Frankfurt (#4)
Strengths: Sustainable finance, energy efficiency, and urban biodiversity.
Challenge: Needs more green building initiatives.
Munich (#5)
Strengths: Public transport efficiency, sustainable urban planning.
Challenge: Balancing economic growth with affordability.
Oslo (#6)
Strengths: World leader in electric vehicles (EVs), green construction.
Key Initiative: Oslo Climate Strategy 2030 (net-zero emissions goal).
Hamburg (#7)
Strengths: Waste management, air quality, and green logistics.
Berlin (#8)
Strengths: Strong urban sustainability laws, renewable energy use.
Warsaw (#9)
Strengths: Investment in green public transport and air quality policies.
London (#10)
Strengths: Urban regeneration, congestion tax, and clean energy incentives.
Challenge: Needs to improve housing affordability
* Other Cities in the Top 100
Notable cities in Asia-Pacific & North America and why they rank as they do:
Singapore (#18): A leader in smart city tech, green buildings, and water recycling.
Shanghai (#19) & Beijing (#20): High economic strength, but challenges with air pollution.
Tokyo (#22): Strong in public transport, but high urban density poses challenges.
Melbourne (#32) & Sydney (#33): Excellent green spaces and livability, need better energy efficiency.
San Francisco (#35): Top city in Profit (economic opportunities), but struggles with affordability.
Vancouver (#36): High renewable energy usage, but needs better housing policies.
New York (#48), Toronto (#49), & Los Angeles (#53): Economic powerhouses, but the cost of living and social inequality are challenges.
Hanoi (#79): Needs significant improvement in sustainable transport and waste management.
Mexico City (#82): Strong in public transport improvements, but struggles with air pollution and social inequality.
* Where is Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is NOT listed in the Top 100 of the Sustainable Cities Index 2024. This suggests that it has significant challenges in environmental sustainability, public transport efficiency, and economic equity.
Credit: BOI ARCHI DESIGN Sketches
Master Plan: "Ecopolis Motion City"
Client: Ho Chi Minh City
Year: 2021-2026
Typology: Infrastructure & Urbanism, Sustainability
Size: 2,062 sq.km / 796 sq.mi
Status: Idea
Location: Ho Chi Minh City
"Ecopolis Motion City" is an idea master plan project designed by BOI ARCHI DESIGN (Boi Interiors & Architecture Group - B.I.A.G) during the 2021 pandemic. It is a collaboration project with the primary partnership of Honda, as well as other partners with large architecture firms in the world.
To reshape Ho Chi Minh City by 2050, the Ecopolis Motion City master plan focuses on:
The Four Quarters of the project:
1. Green Quarter (Environmental Sustainability)
- Expand urban forests, rooftop farms, and renewable energy.
- Reduce CO₂ emissions by 70% through electric transportation and solar power.
2. Motion Quarter (Mobility & Transportation)
- 100% EV infrastructure by 2050.
- Smart public transit, bike lanes, and congestion pricing.
3. Livability Quarter (Community & Social Spaces)
- Increase green space per capita from 4m² to 20m².
- Promote mixed-income housing and urban resilience.
4. Smart City Quarter (Technology & Innovation)
- Use AI, IoT (Internet of Things), and smart grids to optimize energy use and transport.
- Develop digital governance systems for efficient city management.
* Ho Chi Minh City's Future in Sustainability Rankings
"Ecopolis Motion City," would be a great project to bring Ho Chi Minh City could enter the Top 50 of future sustainability indexes, competing with cities like Singapore, Shanghai, and Sydney.
