世界上哪个城市最宜居? 每年，三个不同的组织都试着回答这个问题。那么结果如何呢? 三个组织意见一致吗?
《经济学家》表示世界上最好的城市是墨尔本(澳大利亚)。这是根据这个杂志的最新全球宜居城市报告的结果来决定的，该杂志每六个月发布一次报告结果。这种报告给全世界140个城市排名，采用0分到100分来打分。依据稳定程度、卫生保健的普及率、文化、环境和基础设施等诸方面来评定，墨尔本得到了97.5的高分。该报告赞扬了墨尔本的低犯罪率、完善的基础设施建设和公园的普及率。其他排在《经济学家》排行榜前十的有维也纳(奥地利)、温哥华(加拿大)和悉尼(澳大利亚)等。
《美世(Mercer美智)生活质量调查》调查结果类似。在2011调查中，它将维也纳(奥地利)评定为世界最佳城市，接下来排名便是苏黎世(瑞士)和奥克兰(新西兰)。卡尔加里(加拿大)，均被评为最生态环保的城市。以生活方式为主题的杂志《Monocle单片镜》也发布了它的年度最佳城市榜单。2012年度，他们将慕尼黑(德国)评为最适宜居住的城市，因为其地域连通性、文化中心地位和绿化面积入围。
但是，像纽约、巴黎、伦敦那样的著名城市情况如何呢?它们为什么没进入任何榜单的前十位呢? 它们都有着引人入胜的博物馆和艺术馆，全市遍及着极好的酒吧和酒店。而且这些城市总在前进更新。显而易见，著名的城市通常是因为犯罪、交通和基础设施不足而丢分。例如，《Monocle单片镜》杂志就表示，虽然香港充满活力和激情、但在“交通堵塞、空气质量、住房条件和资源保护”诸方面还需要引起注意。
当然，并不是每个人都同意“最佳城市”的榜单。一些人批评榜单偏爱那些更加较为宁静悠闲的城市。持此观点者认为，很多人反倒喜欢住在狂热而喧嚣的闹市。事实上，一个记者在墨尔本采访时发现，很多墨尔本市民想要去巴黎和纽约这样的大城市居住。所以《经济学家》又发表了另外一份调查报告。这份榜单更加考量到有名的大城市可以提供的东西(例如文化和种族的多样性)。猜一猜这份榜单中“最佳城市”花落谁家? 竟是中国香港。紧随其后的前十中还有东京、阿姆斯特丹、柏林和巴黎。
那么从旅游者角度又怎么考虑呢? 他们最喜欢的城市是哪个呢? 根据一个最新旅游网站--《旅行顾问》的调查结果，旅游者将伦敦选为最喜欢的城市。一个游客在网上评论道:“我特别喜欢去伦敦，那里有太多的事情可以做，游完这个大城市大概需要一个月。伦敦历史悠远、怀旧情切、风景雅致、咖浓酒香。其元素丰富足供每一个人各取所需、爱其所爱。”
那么你最喜欢的城市又是哪个呢?
三大调研杂志介绍：
The Economist英国《经济学家》杂志，于1843年在伦敦创刊。《经济学家》杂志治、经济、国际问题以及科技、艺术、书评等专栏，分析世界经济形势，提供论世界政治、经济和文化。
Mercer Quality of Living Survey《美世（美智）生活质量》杂志，为世界许多城市提供有价值的信息和辛劳津贴建议。《美世生活质量》指数清单覆盖221座城市，城市生活质量排名以纽约为基准。
Lifestyle magazine Monocle 《单镜片》全球性简报，涵盖国际新闻、商业财经、艺术文化、设计潮流等领域。
What's the best city in the world? Every year, there different organizations try to answer the question. So what are the results? And does every one agree?
The Economist agrees that the best city in the world is Melbourne( Australia).That's the result of the magazine's latest Global Livability Report, which it publishes every six month es 140 cities worldwide and gives each one a score from 0 to 100. Points are awarde for stability acess to health care, culture, environment and infrastructure. Melbourne scored 97. 5. The report praised the city's low crime rate, excellent infrastructure and easy access to parks. Other cities in the Economist's top 10 were Vienna(Austria),Vancouver(Canada)and
Sydney(Australian).
A similar report is the Mercer Quality of Living Survey. In the last survey(in 2011) it named Vienna(Austria)as the world's best city, followed by Zurich(Switzerland)and then Auckland (New Zealand). And it said the most eco-friendly city in the world is Calgary, Canada. Life Style Magazine Monocle also releases an annual "top city” list. In 2012 they decided Munich(Germany) was the best place to live in because of its connectivity, cultural centres, and abundance of green space.
But what about famous cities such as New York, Paris and London? Why aren't they in any of the top 10 lists? They are packed with fascinating museums and art galleries, full of great bars and restaurants and there's always a lot going on. Well, apparently, famous cities often lose because of crime, traffic and inadequate infrastructure. For example, Monocle said although Hong Kong is vibrant and exciting, " traffic congestion, air quality, housing and conservation all need attention."
And of course, not everyone agrees with the "best city” lists. Some criticize them for preferring quieter, more relaxed cities. They argue that many people actually want to live in more hectic bustling cities. In fact, one journalist interviewed people in Melbourne and discobered that lots of Melbourne residents want to live in Paris or New York. So The Economist has published another report. This new report gives more weight to things that big, famous cities do offer (such as lots of cuture and ethnic diversity). And guess where it decided the best place to live in? Hong Kong. And also in the top ten are Tokyo, Amsterdam, Berlin and Paris.
But what about tourists? Whats their favorite city? According to a recent survey by trave website TripAdvisor, tourists rated London as the best city to visit. One traveler commented online,"I love visiting London. There's just so much to do. You almost need a month to see it. The city is rich in history, nostalgia, beauty... and pubs. It has something for everyone. " So, what's your favorite city?
（From Overseas English ）
New Words
global adj. 全球(性)的
livability n. 宜居
survey n. 调查(表)
stability n. 稳定
infrastructure n. 基础设施，基础建设
vibrant /adj. 充满生机的
eco-friendly adj. 对生态
环境不构成破坏的，绿色环保的
release v. 释放，发布
annual adj. 每年的
connectivity n. connected 连接，连通性
abundance n. 丰富
fascinating adj. 迷人的，引人入胜的
congestion n. 拥堵
conservation n. 保护
hectic adj. 狂热的 ，
bistling adj. 熙熙攘攘， 乱哄哄的
nostalgia n. 怀旧，乡愁