The City Momentum Index (CMI), published by JLL, has highlighted the ideal features of dynamic cities. Nery Alaev looks further.

1. Annualindex outlines best characteristics for ‘dynamic’cities
Nery Alaev looks into an index published by JLL that highlights the features of 'dynamic' cities.
The City Momentum Index (CMI), published by real estate consultancy giant Jones Lang Lasalle
(JLL), has highlighted the ideal features of dynamic cities. These include innovation, liveability
and the capacity to re-invent as time goes on.
I’ve decided to look further into this news and draw a conclusion upon the reporting.
Vibrant districts
The CMI (which lists 20 cities) for 2016 focused on places with the best mixed-use districts, as
opposed to last year’s which focused on technology-oriented hubs.
The index lists London, Boston, Dublin and Bangalore as places that are “successfully creating
environments that attract cutting-edge new businesses, nurture top talent, leverage technology
and provide vibrant, inclusive communities.”
This sentiment implies that, as well as creating optimal environments for business and education,
listed cities in the CMI are successful at making residents feel included and presented with
opportunities.
Importance of real estate
Commenting on the report, Jeremy Kelly, director of global research for JLL said:
"Real estate is a major factor in city momentum as it can enable productivity, creativity and
entrepreneurship while creating a sense of community for its citizens in a sustainable urban
model,"
"Real estate no longer simply houses businesses - it attracts corporations and talent, and cities
need to ensure their built environment provides the smart, productive commercial buildings that
corporations, capital and talent now demand."
Jeremy Kelly’s statement suggests that real estate has expanded beyond merely providing a
space for working, and now plays a central role in attracting and maintaining talent.
The top 20 cities in the report show that Asia-Pacific cities are rising respectively in regards to
development. For example, the Chinese cities Shanghai (6), Beijing (9), Shenzhen (12) and

2. Nanjing (15) all ranked in the top 20. Two Indian cities, Bangalore and Hyderabad also ranked in
the top 20.
The top city (somewhat unsurprisingly) was London.
Nery Alaev
Nery Alaev is the current Director of ESN Investments GmbH, which engages in acquisition and
development of commercial and residential property in Germany and Austria.