Top 10 smartest cities in the world in 2024—where do Indian cities rank?

The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) defines a smart city as “an urban setting that applies technology to enhance the benefits and diminish the shortcomings of urbanisation for its citizens.” According to the 2024 Smart City Index released by IMD in April, smart cities in Europe and Asia are gaining ground globally, while North American cities have slipped in the rankings.

The top-performing cities have developed initiatives that cater to the overall quality of life of their citizens, focusing on the creation of green spaces, the expansion of cultural events, and the promotion of social bonding, as per the report.

In addition, innovative strategies are to attract and retain talent, foster investment, and tackle long-standing issues regarding geographical inequalities and inclusion, with a holistic approach contributing to success in the rankings. the report stated.

Ranking about 142 smart cities worldwide, IMD shares the top 10 smartest cities in the world and how the infrastructure and technology available in the cities are impacting their performance and the quality of life of their inhabitants.

Here are the world’s top 10 smartest cities in 2024:

Ranking for the fourth time, Zurich. in Switzerland has been the smartest city in the world, doing particularly well for public transport, basic sanitation, education, and public safety. (Source: Shutterstock)