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Quality streets

A few subtle changes to the metrics, a handful of grand projects coming to fruition and a sprinkling of ambitious City Halls – this year’s Quality of Life Survey has seen some big changes. For the first time there are three Japanese cities in the top 10, with Tokyo – giddy at the prospect of the 2020 Olympics – rising to number two. Vancouver is our highest-ranked city in the Americas. Berlin is the highest riser, while Stockholm returns to the top five. Some big cities continue to miss the cut, for obvious reasons. Last year there were 414 murders in Chicago (for comparison, in Copenhagen there was one). London may have nightlife and culture but house prices are out of control and the police can’t always be trusted. Düsseldorf, San Francisco and Honolulu miss out this year, though that has more to do with the improvements made by others. Oslo and Lisbon return to the top 25, while Brisbane appears for the first time. Some things don’t change though and Copenhagen has won again. There’s no better person to introduce it than the woman who, as head of drama at Danish public broadcaster DR, has given the world two iconic dramas based in Denmark’s capital.
City life

Although it was mayor Rob Ford’s controversial tenure that brought spectators to Toronto City Hall, the beauty of the modernist building shouldn’t be overlooked.
Space invaders

From the entrepreneurs revitalising derelict spaces with community, food and nightlife to the man who has dedicated his life to keeping cherry trees in the best of health, these are the people who are shaping the cityscapes with their imagination, skill and creativity.
This jip is up

Dancing can lead to prostitution, according to a 1948 Japanese law. Though the police largely ignored said law for years, they have recently started raiding nightclubs and prosecuting owners who don’t have a licence, turning dance floors into dead zones.
Europe briefing

Leipzig's stocks rises to rival Berlin, Vienna gets into the (walking) zone and Moscow moves to tackle traffic.
Asia briefing

The transformation of Mandalay, how the Philippines plans to tackle deforestation and Hong Kong ponders its landfill problem.
Africa/Middle East briefing

The start-up possibilities of Amman and where South Africa's high-speed rail network extension could lead.
Oceania briefing

Taking stock of a rebuilt Christchurch after the 2011 earthquake — and Auckland acts on housing.
Start again

A plethora of new statues, museums and government buildings is appearing across the Republic of Macedonia’s capital in a bid to imbue it with a sense of civic pride – but not everyone is persuaded by the less than subtle approach.
Team work

Fire, police and ambulance services are essential components of any well-run city. Monocle joins teams in Helsinki, Hong Kong and Ballarat in Australia to see how three of the best emergency services are keeping their cities safe.

July/ August 2014 / Hong Kong

Expo 75: Sai Kung

Cascais, Hayama, Aegina, Sai Kung and Outer Sunset: five commuter towns with distinct personalities.

By: Aisha Speirs

Drive for 20 minutes away from Hong Kong Island toward Sai Kung, past the bustling streets of Kowloon and the city’s soaring skyscrapers, and the pace of life immediately begins to slow.

The dramatic jungle hills and picturesque bays native to Hong Kong, often obscured in many places by land reclamation and urban development, start to dominate the view. Pulling into the old fishing village of Sai Kung it’s easy to understand why the area is popular with Hong Kongers tired of the city’s frenetic pace.

During weekdays the town is quiet. Locals dine…

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The Globalist

Quality streets

City life

Space invaders

This jip is up

Europe briefing

Asia briefing

Africa/Middle East briefing

Oceania briefing

Start again

Team work

Mall content

The upper trust

Land lovers

Self help

Business briefing

Art smarts

Print run

Screen time

Super sheds

Let’s get together

Made to order

Up close

Final check out

Lost in space

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Better together

Observation

Expo 75: Cascais

Expo 75: Hayama

Expo 75: Aegina

Expo 75: Sai Kung

Expo 75: Outer Sunset

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