Small, but great: according to Monocle, Lausanne is the ideal choice for those seeking a quieter place to call home. The global affairs and lifestyle magazine has published its first Small Cities Index that measures the liveability in smaller-scale cities. The list was compiled by Monocle’s correspondents, editors and researchers who looked at factors such as the quality of public transport, rail and air connections, cultural dynamism and progressive local government, among other things. Lausanne is followed by Boulder, USA; Bergen, Norway; Hobart, Australia; and Chigasaki, Japan.
Quality of life and economic attractiveness all rolled into one
Lausanne, the fourth largest city in Switzerland and a popular tourist destination, is also a favored location for multinationals' headquarters. The Swiss city dominates the list thanks to its global outlook, diverse population, business friendliness and natural setting, Monocle said. Its efficient public transport network and the presence of key employers, including the International Olympic Committee, were additional decisive factors.
