HSE Global Cities Innovation Index 2020

The cities have always served as accumulating centers of human capital and financial resources. Developed communities in creative industries, science, and business make up the brand of the city and work as strong magnets for creators of new technologies and knowledge.

What prompts researchers, heads of corporations, start-up founders, designers, architects, and artists to choose a particular city?

Which megacities have an edge in the competition for the best minds?

To answer these questions, a team of experts from the Russian Cluster Observatory of HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge has developed HSE Global Innovation Index (HSE GCII).

HSE GCII highlights the underlying forces which pull actors of knowledge economy into the cities and estimates a combined influence of technological development, urban environment, and creative industries. The index encompasses 36 global centers. For the first time ever, the ranking was calculated at the city level, following a unique system of 120 indicators. This study undertaken by the HSE University is unparalleled in terms of depth and coverage.

Methodology

The rationale behind creating the ranking is to offer a verifiable benchmarking solution for assessing the key factors of attracting talent into cities.

Our ranking is focused on leading companies (mega-corporations, breakthrough startups, leading universities) and outstanding individuals (Nobel Prize laureates, highly cited researchers, renowned representatives of creative industries). They are the face and gravitational force of the city, sending messages to all other members within and outside the community.

The sample of the study comprises 36 cities of various sizes, 14 of which are national capitals that innovators find particularly attractive. Each city is a frontrunner in patent and publication activities and scores high in relevant international rankings.

Solution. Our researchers examined 36 cities that stand at the forefront in terms of attracting innovative class and designed the Overall Global Cities Innovation Index (HSE GCII). The 120 indicators of the HSE GCII were grouped into three blocks, — namely Technological Development, Creative Industries, and Urban Environment, and 20 sections. In doing so, we were able to calculate the corresponding subindex scores and rank each city accordingly.

You may find individual city profiles in the analytical report with detailed results of the study and all of the cities’ ranks for every indicator.

An integrated HSE GCII methodology provides a new approach to measuring the innovative appeal of global cities.

Moscow: goes digital

8th rank

Leader for digital infrastructure development, number of Wi-Fi access points, technology parks and co-working spaces. The largest innovation cluster in the world combines more than 17,000 members on its digital platform.

Tokyo: married off corporations and universities

3rd rank

Ranked 1st internationally by the number of headquarters of largest companies from Fortune Global 500 and Innovation 1000 lists and leading universities from QS, THE, and ARWU ratings, number of computer game developers and winners of The Pritzker Architecture Prize.

New York: tops the innovation attractiveness ranking

1st rank

The city has drawn in the largest number of Nobel Prize laureates, Fields Award winners, and the most collectible living artists. Leader for the number of start-ups and fashion brands. Boasts exceptional scope of creative industries, breakthrough science and technologies.

Shanghai: is the global cluster of corporate R&D

9th rank

Almost 200 companies from Fortune Global 500 and Innovation 1000 ratings opened R&D departments in Shanghai. The city, also known as the «gateway» to the Chinese market, bets on foreign innovators and is leading by the number of international patents.

Milan: crowned the fashion capital of the world

24th rank

Over a hundred world famous couturiers and 12 largest fashion companies are based in Milan. The city comes out victorious from the toughest competition due to its affordable deluxe segment of the fashion market.

Los Angeles: merges high tech and creativity

6th rank

The global hub of creative industries, supported by technological innovations. Even if you watched one blockbuster produced in LA a day, you could do it for the whole year without repeating a film.