The Smart Centres Index (SCI 3) explores the ability of global commercial centres to be hubs for the development of new technology. In SCI 3 London retakes first place and New York returns to second place.
All centres in the index received a higher rating than in SCI 2. Despite rising ratings, in some cases sharply, several centres fell in the rankings due to new centres entering in higher positions. Basically, around the world the focal point of economic competition is more firmly a blend of technology, media, and communications on top of an infrastructure of professional and financial services.
Leading centres in the SCI are based in places which combine an innovative, cultural centre with a high-performing university sector across STEM subjects, supported by a well-developed regulatory, commercial and financial services.
Index Results
- London regained its first position in the index with New York falling to second place. The cluster of innovation activity between London, Oxford, and Cambridge, sometimes called the ‘Golden Triangle’ is shown in the index results. We will consider further how to assess this cluster in future editions of the SCI.
- New York is now the only US centre in the top 10, with Stockholm and Dublin replacing Los Angeles and Chicago in this group.
- Oxford, Stockholm, Hong Kong, and Cambridge have overtaken Singapore, which fell from third to seventh place.
- Asia/Pacific centres generally score lower for innovation support and regulation than for creative intensity and delivery capability. Only two centres rose 10 or more places in the rankings in SCI 3, while 19 centres fell 10 or more places, as new centres entered the index.
The top 20 ranked centres in SCI 3 are shown in the table below:
Full details of SCI 3 can be found at www.smartcentresindex.net
Professor Michael Mainelli, Executive Chairman of Z/Yen said: “We launched the Smart Centres Index recognising that technology, science and innovation are transforming all aspects of our lives and providing opportunities for economic development and growth. Tracking the changes that are taking place across the world as smart centres develop and expand helps us to understand the depth of the change taking place and the role that cities and innovation clusters play in supporting innovation for good.”
We invite all those with an interest in the development of innovation centres to take part in SCI 4 by rating the financial and commercial centres you know here – smartcentresindex.net/survey/.
