International silver for Leuven's life quality

Monocle, the prestigious international magazine for global affairs, business, culture and lifestyle revealed its second annual Small Cities Index, in a special edition ‘The Forecast 2021’. This list points you to the 25 best compact cities across the globe, with fewer than 250.000 inhabitants, that offer incredible quality of life. These spots must have all the assets that make any city tick: good accessibility, great business opportunities, a rich cultural life, welcoming population, progressive planning by smart, trustworthy leaders, alongside plenty of green space to breathe.
The index for next year is leaded by Porto on number 1. Leuven, as the highest newcomer in the ranking, is awarded the number 2 spot. After receiving the titles of European Capital of Innovation and European City of Sport this is another recognition on an international level for Leuven.
Monocle
Special attention goes to Leuven’s ambitious policies around climate: The city-government-endorsed Leuven 2030 initiative brings together more than 600 organisations, businesses and citizens to help provide a plan for the city to cope with the effect of climate change.
Other cities in the top 10 are: Itoshima (Japan) on 3, Luzern (Switzerland), Victoria (Canada), Lausanne (Switzerland), Basel (Switzerland), Bolzano (Italy), Aalborg (Denmark) and Bergen (Norway).