Taipei was ranked as the 62nd most livable city in the world for the second consecutive year in the latest global survey released on Monday by the UK-based Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
The survey, now in its 10th year, assesses living conditions in 140 cities around the world by assigning a rating of relative comfort based on more than 30 qualitative and quantitative factors in five broad categories — stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.
The survey gives an overall rating of 0 to 100, with 1 denoting intolerable conditions and 100 ideal conditions.
Sixty-four cities achieved scores of more than 80, while 13 cities were ranked in the bottom tier of livability with ratings of below 50.
Jon Copestake, editor of the report, said that Taipei obtained a rating of 81.9, which means that the city has few, if any, living standard challenges.
He said, however, that Taipei should seek to hold more international sports events and improve its living environment in order to gain a higher ranking.
In the greater China region, Hong Kong placed the highest at 39th, Tianjin 72nd, Suzhou 74th, Beijing 76th, Shenzhen 83rd, Shanghai 84th, Dalian 85th, Guangzhou 89th and Qingdao 95th.
Worldwide, Vancouver retained its ranking as the most livable city, followed by Vienna, Melbourne, Toronto, Perth and Calgary (tied for fifth), Helsinki, Geneva, and Sydney and Zurich (tied for ninth).
Rounding up the top 20 were Adelaide, Auckland, Osaka, Stockholm and Hamburg (tied for 14th), Brisbane, Montreal and Paris (tied for 17th), and Frankfurt and Tokyo (tied for 19th).
US cities in the top tier were Pittsburgh in 29th place and New York in 56th position.
London, meanwhile, was ranked 51st.
The report said that the cities with the best scores tended to be mid-sized, in developed countries with a low population density, had cultural and recreational assets, lower crime levels and fewer infrastructure problems.
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
Three Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
Temperatures in northern Taiwan are forecast to reach as high as 30°C today, as an ongoing northeasterly seasonal wind system weakens, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng (曾昭誠) said yesterday that with the seasonal wind system weakening, warmer easterly winds would boost the temperature today. Daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan and Yilan County are expected to range from 28°C to 30°C today, up about 3°C from yesterday, Tseng said. According to the CWA, temperature highs in central and southern Taiwan could stay stable. However, the weather is expected to turn cooler starting tonight as the northeasterly wind system strengthens again
COOLING OFF: Temperatures are expected to fall to lows of about 20°C on Sunday and possibly 18°C to 19°C next week, following a wave of northeasterly winds on Friday The Central Weather Administration (CWA) on Sunday forecast more rain and cooler temperatures for northern Taiwan this week, with the mercury dropping to lows of 18°C, as another wave of northeasterly winds sweeps across the country. The current northeasterly winds would continue to affect Taiwan through today, with precipitation peaking today, bringing increased rainfall to windward areas, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng (劉沛滕) said. The weather system would weaken slightly tomorrow before another, stronger wave arrives on Friday, lasting into next week, Liu said. From yesterday to today, northern Taiwan can expect cool, wet weather, with lows of 22°C to 23°C in most areas,
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