Calgary ranked in Top 5 of EIU city rankings for 2012 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Ozy_Flame · 08-15-2012, 10:18 AM

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/08...veable-cities/

Looks like we're finally getting the respect we deserve. Top 5 are:

1. Melbourne
2. Vienna
3. Vancouver
4. Toronto
5. Calgary

I know these are arbitrary rankings for all intents and purposes, but it's nice to be recognized. I can't help but think, however, that Calgary's gets the boost for a strong economy. If it was on economic means alone, I doubt Vancouver would be anywhere near the top.

Can't really argue with Melbourne as number one. Don't they have a lack of fresh water problem though?

jamoro · 08-15-2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/08...veable-cities/

Looks like we're finally getting the respect we deserve. Top 5 are:

1. Melbourne
2. Vienna
3. Vancouver
4. Toronto
5. Calgary

I know these are arbitrary rankings for all intents and purposes, but it's nice to be recognized. I can't help but think, however, that Calgary's gets the boost for a strong economy. If it was on economic means alone, I doubt Vancouver would be anywhere near the top.

Can't really argue with Melbourne as number one. Don't they have a lack of fresh water problem though?

Calgary needs a Water park and will be #1

Cowperson · 08-15-2012, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/08...veable-cities/

Looks like we're finally getting the respect we deserve. Top 5 are:

1. Melbourne
2. Vienna
3. Vancouver
4. Toronto
5. Calgary

I know these are arbitrary rankings for all intents and purposes, but it's nice to be recognized. I can't help but think, however, that Calgary's gets the boost for a strong economy. If it was on economic means alone, I doubt Vancouver would be anywhere near the top.

Can't really argue with Melbourne as number one. Don't they have a lack of fresh water problem though?

The comment about wealthy, low population density countries having the best cities was an interesting one.

Basically, a list dominated by Australia and Canada, both of which fit that description.

Cowperson

Locke · 08-15-2012, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamoro

Calgary needs a Water park and will be #1

If thats what it takes then these rankings can go straight to hell.

Water parks are hell on earth.

Boshi · 08-15-2012, 11:00 AM

I've been to Melbourne and Vancouver.. loved both of em, can't speak for the others. I love our city here but it's a little surprising (at least to me) we're so high up there. Cool though.

jamoro · 08-15-2012, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

If thats what it takes then these rankings can go straight to hell.

Water parks are hell on earth.

the pee!

Ozy_Flame · 08-15-2012, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamoro

Calgary needs a Water park and will be #1

Edmonton ranks way lower.

We don't need water parks bringing us down.

Boshi · 08-15-2012, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamoro

the pee!

jamoro · 08-15-2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boshi

you read my mind!

SeeBass · 08-15-2012, 11:11 AM

Pools and hot tubs yuck

It's just people soup.

Winsor_Pilates · 08-15-2012, 11:25 AM

Que. Calgary vs Vancouver vs Toronto round 17...

Table 5 · 08-15-2012, 11:26 AM

Man I hate these stupid rankings. Seems like there's one coming out every 2 months, and every city out there can find out that they cling to.

Locke · 08-15-2012, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

Man I hate these stupid rankings. Seems like there's one coming out every 2 months, and every city out there can find out that they cling to.

From various different publications no less. I think its a product of the downturn of the magazine industry and they're just trolling now while their readership circles the drain.

I'll bet this is a product of the staff sitting around an office with several bottles of scotch, a big map and some darts and some poor intern publishing the results the next day.

MarchHare · 08-15-2012, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Edmonton ranks way lower.

I find this really interesting. Obviously we like to slag our provincial rivals to the north and magnify our differences, but when you really look at things objectively, you'd be hard-pressed to find any two cities more similar than Calgary and Edmonton. I wonder why our city ranked so much higher than theirs did?

Notorious Honey Badger · 08-15-2012, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I find this really interesting. Obviously we like to slag our provincial rivals to the north and magnify our differences, but when you really look at things objectively, you'd be hard-pressed to find any two cities more similar than Calgary and Edmonton. I wonder why our city ranked so much higher than theirs did?

All these lists are ######ed. There was one list that had Brandon higher.

FanIn80 · 08-15-2012, 11:51 AM

What I want to know is why the heck The National Post is still using antiquated abbreviations like Alta?

calgaryrocks · 08-15-2012, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I find this really interesting. Obviously we like to slag our provincial rivals to the north and magnify our differences, but when you really look at things objectively, you'd be hard-pressed to find any two cities more similar than Calgary and Edmonton. I wonder why our city ranked so much higher than theirs did?

very similar, but Calgary has olympic facilities (Edmonton had commonwealth), slightly better weather, is a few hours closer to mountains, more flight options in and out, and probably slightly higher annual salaries (white collar vs blue collar) and a farther reaching mass transit system. edmonton has a completed ring road, but access to the middle of the city isn't as good. Calgary also has a better crime rate, and a provincial park running through the City.

Bigtime · 08-15-2012, 12:18 PM

Personally I give this ranking more weight since it is coming from the Economist.

After all what magazine better represents us latte-sipping one percenters?

Full disclosure: I am a subscriber to the Economist.

Ozy_Flame · 08-15-2012, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

Man I hate these stupid rankings. Seems like there's one coming out every 2 months, and every city out there can find out that they cling to.

True, but the Mercer and EIU rankings are probably two of the most credible ones - at least from a readership perspective. This particular ranking even brings up the issue:

It’s one of several studies of its kind, but economic development experts in the listed Canadian cities say The Economist report’s catering to business communities could lead to tangible benefits.

If lots of people are reading this, it brings the city free and easy exposure compared to other elite cities. Nothing to complain about here.

Erick Estrada · 08-15-2012, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I find this really interesting. Obviously we like to slag our provincial rivals to the north and magnify our differences, but when you really look at things objectively, you'd be hard-pressed to find any two cities more similar than Calgary and Edmonton. I wonder why our city ranked so much higher than theirs did?

That's like saying Ottawa and Hamilton are similar. There's actually a lot of differences between Calgary and Edmonton. I don't want to sling mud at Edmonton but it's older, has worse transit, worse road system for the most part, has some much shadier areas, the downtown in particular isn't even close to Calgary's. Really the only similarities are population, area, and industries but they are actually very different. If they were as close as you say Edmonton would get similar recognition as Calgary but it doesn't.