ere are many websites on the Internet which provide lists of the world’s best cities to visit, live or work in.  ese lists usually grade the cities

 ere are many websites on the Internet which provide lists of
the world’s best cities to visit, live or work in.  ese lists usually
grade the cities in order, from ‘best’ to ‘worst’, and are based on
facts and gures provided by local or national organisations.
 e City Brands Index (CBI) also provides a list of best and
worst cities. However, unlike other surveys, it is based on the
idea that cities are similar to products in shops. It asks ordinary
people in other countries to grade cities in the same way that
they would grade a product, like a so drink or a car. What is
particularly di­ erent about the CBI is that the people who take
part in the survey may not have ever visited the cities. Instead,
they are asked to say what they think the cities are like, basing
their opinions on things like news stories, magazine articles or
television programmes they have heard or seen.
Each year, about 10,000 people in 20 countries take part in
the CBI survey, and they grade a total of 50 cities.  ey do
this by lling in an online questionnaire.  ere are several
categories in the survey.  ese include things like the economy,
education, the environment, local culture, climate and what
the city’s residents are like.
 e CBI list is useful because it helps people choose a good
place to live, nd work or take a holiday.
It also helps regional governments to
understand why people and businesses
are, or are not, coming to their cities,
and so shows them areas which they
could develop or improve.
The CBI believes that cities are like 1
which people can buy when they go shopping.
Surveys take place every 2 .
A maximum of 3 cities are included in the
survey.
A number of different 4 are included in
the survey.
The CBI list is helpful for:
• people who are trying to decide where to
5 or get a job.
• people who are looking for a good 6
destination.
• local 7 who want to make their city a
better place.