Lisbon's Exemplary Inclusivity: A Global Standard

In a detailed report conducted by Cushman & Wakefield, which assessed the inclusiveness of urban areas, Lisbon was prominently recognised, excelling in several key metrics.

This report functions as a barometer rather than a ranking, intentionally avoiding placing any city above another. Instead, it acknowledges that certain cities may be more mature and prepared in specific aspects. In constructing this barometer, the world was divided into regions, with Portugal falling within the EMEA geographical area, which stands for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. A total of 44 EMEA cities were evaluated based on 110 metrics, providing a comprehensive view of urban inclusion.

Lisbon, the sole Portuguese city examined in this barometer, distinguished itself in three key areas: inclusivity, urban attractiveness, and safety.

The inclusivity metric, the most direct measure in this barometer, reflects cities with robust economic and social inclusivity, underpinned by a welcoming and open culture. Lisbon excels in this domain, particularly for its acceptance and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community and migrants. The positive impact of Portugal's immigration policies is evident in these high inclusivity scores.

Regarding urban attractiveness, Lisbon ranks highly, particularly in terms of tourism, owing to its undeniable beauty. As an ancient city with centuries of history reflected in every corner, the charm of Lisbon is one of the aspects most mentioned by residents and foreign visitors. Recent efforts to refurbish its buildings and public spaces, enhance cultural and leisure offerings, and redevelop the Tagus riverfront have preserved its unique architectural features. These initiatives collectively enhanced Lisbon’s status as one of the world’s most beautiful capitals.

Safety is a main component that attracts and retains individuals to settle and establish roots in a city. Lisbon’s low crime rates contribute significantly to the city's high standards of safety and security. Additional factors contributing to Lisbon’s high safety standards include the safety of women, legal rights, low discrimination rates, and reliable access to essential services such as water, electricity, and safe sanitation. 

In this barometer, cities were categorised into quartiles according to their advancements in fostering inclusive urban environments, each quartile representing varying degrees of maturity. Lisbon occupies a position in the social drivers' quartile, denoting cities characterised by high rates of social and urban inclusion across multiple indicators, demonstrating a mature urban experience.

Lisbon has also made significant developments in economic vitality and is gaining recognition. Last year, the city was designated as a European technological hub by the European Commission, a status further solidified by the enactment of a pioneering start-up law (Law No. 21/2023) on May 26, 2023.

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