Heritage Travel Services

Lisbon has been elected as one of the 21 places of the future, standing out for the quality of its universities, infrastructure and security, according to a study by US-based Cognizant.

In a statement, the technology services company announced that “Lisbon was chosen from among more than 150 cities in the world as one of 21 places of the future”, positioning itself as one of three European cities on the final list.

The evaluation concluded that Lisbon is a “sophisticated city” that stands out for the quality of its universities, infrastructures and security, for its access to private capital, its stable local government/administration and for being a sustainable city.

Furthermore, the capital was highlighted for “being an easy place to work”, for the cultural and entertainment offer and for being a talent pool, as well as for presenting a good standard of living/cost of living.

In addition to Lisbon, the study distinguished cities such as Tel Aviv (Israel), Sao Paulo (Brazil), Wellington (New Zealand), Dundee (Scotland), Toronto (Canada), Atlanda, Sacramento and Portland (USA), Kochi (India), Songdo (South Korea), Tallinn (Estonia), Shenzhen and Haidian, Beijing (China), Nairobi (Kenya), Lagos (Nigeria) and Da Nang (Vietnam).

Alongside these 17 cities, the list includes four places with “no specific physical location”, namely Remotopia, Virtual Space, Outer Space and New Hanseatica.

“We have identified Lisbon as a hotbed of global innovation and new ideas, which will certainly create and drive the future of work. The fourth industrial revolution and pandemic are transforming the economy on a global scale, and new talents, new skills and new attitudes are needed,” said Manuel Ávalos, Cognizant’s managing director for Southern Europe, quoted in the same document.

As explained by the company, the ’21 places of the future’ is a roadmap that allows companies, governments and businesses to learn from the success of other growing places.