We are glad to present the only international Report which assesses and compares the world’s leading business districts, commissioned by the GBD Innovation Club and carried by EY and the Urban Land Institute. The study has analysed 21 business districts, based on 40 indicators and the views of 350 professionals worldwide.

As strong players in the world’s economy, global business districts take account changes resulting from the health crisis, reinvent themselves and turn to new ways of working, investing and socializing.

In the face of major challenges ahead, global business districts all share the same ambitions of becoming attractive areas which offer a healthier more sustainable and resilient urban environment, where one can “work, live, study and play”.”

Here’s the ranking of the top 21 GBDs in terms of attractiveness:

May 19, 2020, a webinar on zoom was organized to reveal the results of the study. More than 450 participants (from all around the world: USA, Canada, China, Australia, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, France, Italy…) have followed the analysis of decision-makers from the world’s business districts:

• Marie-Célie Guillaume, Chairwoman, GBD Innovation Club and CEO, Paris La Défense
• Michael Edwards, President & CEO, Chicago Loop Alliance
• James von Kemplerer, President and Design Principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates
• Laurent Lavergne, Global Head of Asset Management & Development, AXA IM – Real Assets
• Marc Lhermitte, Partner, EY Consulting
• Vincent Raufast, Senior Manager, EY Consulting

The discussion was chaired by Lisette Van Doorn, CEO ULI Europe and followed by a Q&A session.

Discover the video of the webinar HERE.

“There is no doubt that Global Business Districts will need to adapt to the ‘new normal’ but the Covid-19 crisis has made clear that human beings need social interaction and thrive from it,” has said Marie-Célie Guillaume. “We are confident that the core of a GBD’s attractiveness formula will remain the same. International businesses – which represent the vast majority of GBDs – will need to resume staff meetings, conduct strategic projects, host clients and business partners.”

Five key observations are made by the report authors, including that:

• + The concentration of talent, unparalleled business efficiency, and instant connectivity are fundamental strengths of GBDs
• + Prioritising the environment is an obligation to attract talent and tenants.
• + Changing working patterns and focus on wellbeing might put pressure on the economic outlook of GBDs
• + Global risks facing cities and GBDs call for collective resilience strategies and collaboration between stakeholders
• + In the long term, GBDs must become inclusive urban destinations, beyond concentrations of office space