Most Technologically Advanced Cities in the World

Technology has revolutionized our world, streamlining complex tasks and rapidly breaking down the barriers between developed and developing cities. Some cities in our world are more prepared than others for the future of technology, whether it be due to their integrated smart city plans, their push for universal access to internet, or their suitability for software and digital production. All cities on this list have been ranked by the Pricewaterhouse Coopers Cities of Opportunity 6 Report, which analyzes the current performance and future trajectory of a host of cities based on their internet access in schools, broadband quality, digital economy, and software development and multimedia design.
 

Jakarta

The first city on our list of the most technologically advanced cities in the world is Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. With over 10 million inhabitants, Jakarta is the most populous city in Southeast Asia and is as large as the state of Singapore. At the convergence of multiple cultures including Arab, Indian, Malay, Javanese, Chinese, and Dutch, Jakarta is a high-tech Asian hub, despite its terrible traffic.

Johannesburg

The financial powerhouse of sub-Saharan Africa, Johannesburg devotes itself to growing through technology. The city planning committee has put a major focus on tech industry partnerships, especially in information and communications technology. Jo-burg’s police force has even gone high-tech, installing CCTV cameras on every street corner in the city center to cut down on crime.

Shanghai

The most populous city in China, Shanghai has devoted itself to technology, even creating multiple industrial zones exclusively focused on tech. The advanced city has attracted major industry players such as ExxonMobil and Tesla Motors, which signed a non-binding agreement with a local company to make Shanghai its production base in China.

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires’ focus on innovation and its support of local start-up accelerators has cemented the city as the best tech hub in South America. Buenos Aires is also one of the best examples of a city using tech to care for its citizens, automating maintenance of almost 1,000 miles (1,500 kms) of water drainage pipes to cut down on flooding and even allowing citizens to tweet a picture of issues which are then fixed within 96 hours.

Beijing

Beijing’s economy has largely moved past the industrial model; its economy is now 77% service-based, largely in finance, retail, and information technology. China’s Silicon Valley is Zhongguancun in the city’s northwest, home to both start-ups and established tech giants such as Lenovo, Google, and Microsoft’s new Chinese research headquarters.

Moscow

Responsible for putting the first man in space, Russians are notoriously skilled at computer science and technology. So far, Moscow has excelled at creating copies of Western companies, such as Yandex and VKontakte, the Russian equivalent of Google and Facebook. These days, the city is becoming a leader in new and less common types of tech, such as nanotechnology.

Dubai

Dubai is the de facto Middle Eastern hub for technology (especially IT), home to global firms such as Hewlett-Packard, Oracle, and IBM. The city has invested heavily in tech, even constructing Smart Palm trees with solar-powered phone-chargers and Wi-Fi hotspots. It also launched the Dubai Smart City project to connect residents in a fully-integrated “smart” environment of the future.

Milan

The economic powerhouse of Italy, Milan is mostly known for its fashion and banking industries. Besides the glamour and the money, Milan hosts numerous high-tech expos and even hosted the 2015 World’s Fair. Within the tech sector, the city is a leader in biotechnology.