To reflect the changing nature of urban safety, the "environmental pillar" was introduced this year, in which Wellington placed top of the list. The report considering a city's climate risk management and carbon emission reduction plans as well as policies concerning the improvement and protection of natural environments.
"The priority that urban residents and officials assign to environmental security has risen markedly as covid-19 serves as a stark warning of unexpected crises," said this year's whitepaper published with the Safe City Index 2021.
However, what made cities like Wellington stand out from the rest was not just having strong environmental policies, but successfully implementing them to achieve results.
The EIU reported that, despite aspirational plans and policies, many high-income cities failed when it came to implementation. The official whitepaper suggesting the keys to success are replacing fractured approaches to environmental issues for unified ones and collaborating with residents rather than directing them.
EIU Safe Cities Index 2021 Top 20
1. Copenhagen
2. Toronto
3. Singapore
4. Sydney
5. Tokyo
6. Amsterdam
7. Wellington
8. Hong Kong
9. Melbourne
10. Stockholm
11. Barcelona
12. New York
13. Frankfurt
14. Washington DC
15. London
16. San Francisco
17. Osaka
18. Los Angeles
19. Zurich
20. Chicago
