DHS Y4 Soc Sem Reading Livable cities

1 DUNMAN HIGH SCHOOLYear 4 English 2023Singapore Issues – Livable Cities SOCRATIC SEMINAR –LIVABLE CITIES Essential Questions:●What makes a city livable?●What are the advantages of livable cities?●What are the disadvantages of livable cities?●How can we contribute to building livable cities?With reference to the attached resource material, as well as your own research, construct a reasoned response on this issue, paying particular attention to the depth, breadth and fair-mindedness of your views.You are not limited to discussing the essential questions above. You may dig deeper into the issues by asking critical questions to your fellow panelists, or lead the discussion into a specific perspective or angle.

2 Contents:Exhibit 1: Singapore remains the most livable location in the worldExhibit 2: These are the world's most livable citiesExhibit 3: Four Things We Can Learn from the World’s Most Livable CitiesExhibit 4: HONEST Pros & Cons of Living in New York City--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Exhibit 1Singapore remains the most livable location in the world8 February 2023 Expatriate management, Location allowancesSingapore maintains its status as the most liveable location for expatriate workers from East Asia since 2005.The country’s liveability score improved as its Covid-19 restrictions were relaxed sooner than many other Asian locations, putting it firmly in the top spot.Tightened Covid-19 policies in Hong Kong and mainland Chinese locations have contributed to a fall in their rankings, while locations in Japan and Australia dominate the top 10 most liveable locations.Singapore – 8 February, 2023 – Singapore remains the most liveable location in the world for expatriates from East Asia with an improved liveability score in the past year, as revealed by the latest Location Ratings survey published by global mobility expert, ECA International. Covid-19 restrictions were lifted in Singapore sooner than other major locations in Asia, which had a positive effect on Singapore’s liveability score and its attractiveness as a desirable location for expatriates.

3 “A location’s position in our rankings is influenced by what happens in that location as well as other locations we research,” advised Lee Quane, Regional Director – Asia at ECA International. “Singapore relaxed social distancing restrictions earlier than other locations which facilitated a return to pre-pandemic norms, allowing the country to retain its top position in our rankings and increasing its lead over other locations in terms of liveability. Furthermore, the gap in liveability between Singapore and locations such as Hong Kong and Shanghai – both of which maintained or even enhanced Covid-19 related restrictions in 2022 – widened during the year, making it an even more compelling destination versus other locations in the region competing for international talent.”

4 ECA's Location Ratings system objectively evaluates a host of factors to form an assessment of the overall quality of living in over 500 locations worldwide. Factors assessed include climate; availability of health services; housing and utilities; natural phenomena; isolation; access to a social network and leisure facilities; infrastructure; personal safety; political tensions; and air quality.Asia HighlightsHong Kong's liveability ranking has fallen 15 places to 92nd this past year. This decline is largely due to the impact of Covid-19 restrictions in 2022 and changes in its political environment. In contrast, other Asian locations have seen improvements as restrictions were lifted in the post-pandemic era.“Hong Kong’s maintenance of its Covid-19 mitigation measures this past year stood in contrast against many of its peers, both regionally and globally,” Quane observed. “Continued quarantine restrictions, the limitation of access to recreational activities and other social distancing measures persisted throughout 2022, which put Hong Kong in a less favourable position compared to other locations. Furthermore, recent legislative council and elections for Hong Kong’s Chief Executive also signalled changes in its political environment, which contributed to the decline in its liveability score and ranking.” “Likewise, cities in mainland China have all fallen in our rankings due exclusively to the impact of China’s zero-Covid strategy that was maintained throughout most of 2022,” explained Quane.ASEAN locations generally improved in scores and rankings the past year, owing to the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions. Locations across Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines saw a climb in their rankings, while Yangon, Myanmar, is the only ASEAN location which saw a fall in its ranking owing to the continued deterioration of security circumstances in the country.“ASEAN locations followed Singapore’s lead and relaxed their Covid-19 restrictions accordingly. In doing so, they improved their positions in our liveability rankings,” said Quane. “Nonetheless, the impact of these improvements remains largely limited as the gap between Singapore and Bangkok – the second-highest location ranked in the ASEAN region but ranked 115th globally – indicates a wide disparity within the region that must be narrowed before other locations in ASEAN can offer similar living standards to the Lion City.”Elsewhere, major cities in the Asia Pacific have seen significant improvements due to the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. Cities in Australia saw major improvements in their liveability scores, while Auckland, New Zealand, was the biggest riser, climbing up 20 places to become the 4th most liveable location in the world for East Asian expatriates.Top 20 most liveable locations for East Asian expatriatesLocation2022 ranking2021 rankingSingapore1 1

5 Tokyo, Japan2 3Wellington, New Zealand3 2Osaka, Japan4 3Yokohama, Japan4 8Adelaide, Australia410Brisbane, Australia410Auckland, New Zealand424Copenhagen, Denmark9 3Sydney, Australia910Bern, Switzerland116Eindhoven, Netherlands118Nagoya, Japan136Amsterdam, Netherlands1310The Hague, Netherlands1310Utrecht, Netherlands1310Stavanger, Norway1710Gothenburg, Sweden1710Geneva, Switzerland1710Rotterdam, Netherlands1724

6 Reference: https://www.eca-international.com/news/february-2023/singapore-remains-the-most-liveable-location#:~:text=Singapore%20maintains%20its%20status%20as,firmly%20in%20the%20top%20spot.Exhibit 2These are the world's most livable citiesVienna has returned to the top of an annual ranking of the world's most liveable cities.COVID-19, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and economic challenges are likely to impact liveability over the coming 12 months.Cities' ability to weather and respond to crises is crucial for the global economy and billions of livelihoods.Vienna is once again the world's most liveable city, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) annual rankings.The Austrian capital had slipped from the top spot it held in 2018 and 2019 as a result of the pandemic, but the report's authors write that "a rollback of COVID-19 restrictions" has seen the rankings more closely mirror those seen pre-pandemic. Vienna had fallen as far as 12th in 2021, as its museums and restaurants closed."Stability and good infrastructure are the city's main charms for its inhabitants," explains the EIU. This is "supported by good healthcare and plenty of opportunities for culture and entertainment".The 10 most liveable citiesThe world's most liveable cities are dominated by Western European and Canadian destinations, with high vaccination rates and the easing of COVID restrictions returning life much closer to pre-pandemic norms.Copenhagen in Denmark and Zürich in Switzerland complete the top three, while the Canadian cities of Calgary and Vancouver round out the world's five most liveable cities.However, while the pandemic risk has receded in many cities, Russia's war on Ukraine has had affected this year's rankings. The EIU was forced to abandon its