...the top cities in the world

Davao is world's 87th top city

Sun Star – Fri, Nov 11, 2011

DAVAO -- The only Philippines city included in the Top 100, Davao City placed 87th in the list of fastest-growing cities and urban areas in the world.

Web-based research group City Mayors Foundation published on its website at www.citymayors.com a listing of 200 cities around the world that were ranked based on assumed annual growth rates.

Based on the latest listings, Davao City has a projected average annual growth of 2.53 percent during the 15-year period.

The City Mayors Foundation, which is based in London, United Kingdom and Freiburg, Germany, said the annual growth rates assumption is based on past growth, decline and forecasts by international and national statistics organizations for the period 2006-2010.

The research group was established in 2003 and has become one of the most-trusted sources of research data on performances of cities and its leaders.

Jakarta, Indonesia ranked 47th and topped among cities and urban areas in the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean). Its projected annual growth rate is 3.03 percent during the same period.

It is followed by two more Indonesian cities Palembang and Bandung, which ranked 50th and 55th, respectively.

Palembang registered a projected average annual growth rate of 2.94 percent, while Bandung had 2.90 percent.

Yangon in Myanmar ranked 95th, with 2.46 projected average annual growth rate.

Metro Manila in the Philippines ranked 190th, with a projected annual growth rate of 1.5 percent.

"It is good that Davao has been recognized for its development," Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte said.

She said despite this recognition, the city must still sustain its robust economy.

Duterte called on Dabawenyos to cooperate in sustaining the city's growth.

City Information Office acting chief Bong Aportadera said the recognition will help boost Davao City's niche as one of the country's top investment destinations.

"It is a proof that a strong leadership produces great result. There is nowhere to go but up," Aportadera said. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)