Glasgow and Edinburgh rank in the Cushman & Wakefield Inclusive Cities report

The ‘Inclusive Cities Barometer Report’ was compiled by the global real estate services firm which assessed 44 EMEA cities against 110 different metrics to uncover the industry’s first dataset on inclusive cities. An inclusive city is one that prioritizes diversity, equity and accessibility for all residents, regardless of their background, identity or socio-economic status.

Glasgow has been identified as a ‘Best in Class Example’ as a ‘Strong Spatial Inclusion Performer’. It has been applauded for its robust transport network, making it cost-effective and convenient to travel. The city’s vibrant nightlife and retail sectors, combined with its low property price/income ratio, have made it stand out from other cities, along with a commitment to inclusive special planning.

Other positives include its affordable homes and properties, with a focus on providing social rented housing; is a strong offer of education and culture, with higher education supported by university grants; and steady population growth and balanced population density exerting limited pressure on infrastructure.

Areas for improvement include comparatively high rates of vulnerable employment; a balanced employment focus between financial services and manual/labour based jobs; and the need to better focus on public-private collaboration to improve urban attractiveness to address overruns in the core building stock.

Key drivers for Edinburgh include strong social inclusion for parents and families, driven by supported paid parental leave; The University of Edinburgh and its schools offer a culturally diverse and inclusive curriculum; and high rates of safety and security driven by low crime rates.

Areas for improvement include high rates of vulnerable employment; high housing costs and limited space for inner city housing provision; and future development of affordable housing, hampered by high rates of tourism and lack of available land.

Rotterdam was identified as the “Best Overall Performer”, setting a precedent for all urban centers around the world. Cities were defined and measured by their social, economic, spatial and environmental inclusion. Within these critical categories, data were then identified from peer-reviewed scientific sources such as the World Bank and the United Nations.

Murray Strangemanaging partner, Scotland, Cushman & Wakefield, said: “We know there is no such thing as the perfect city, but the Barometer is designed to challenge the status quo by increasing social value at every stage of decision-making in the commercial property sector.

“Cities contribute to around 80% of global GDP, so the more information we have, the better informed we can be when planning and making decisions. It’s good to see that both Glasgow and Edinburgh have positive attributes to contribute and celebrate on such an international platform.”