Uploaded on 2015-10-11 by betty_crab

1. Top livability criteria: • environment • safety • transportation • sanitation standards • infrastructure 2. Why do I live in my city, Bratislava, Slovakia. My home town is Bratislava, Slovakia. Even thou I currently work in Stockholm, I have moved here only a month ago and do not plan to live here permanently. Therefore I picked Bratislava as a place where I live. My top reasons are: • my family, friends, social connection and social capital • personal reasons as my connection with the city where I was born, memories of certain places, love of place, and I also feel responsibility for my town as an architect and urban designer • transport and infrastructure - despite many critiques and complaints the city has good connection within its parts by tram, bus and el. bus. The most recent initiatives support the bike infrastructure. Is has good connection with bordering countries Austria and Hungary that add to its qualities. • Bratislava has many recreational opportunities in close distance. Natural lakes, bike trails, edge of mountains, woods, variety of natural environments from water adjacent, unique wetland forest crossing the whole city, parks, sport opportunities. • Bratislava is in its way an emerging city when it comes to livability at its best, but it takes a good direction. For me it gives a feeling of hope, and opportunity to observe and be part of this rapid and sudden growth. The city has lots of unused potential, which very exciting quality. It opens new chances for personal growth and starting new businesses because of its current lack. In a way it is more exciting place for life than cities that are stable at their own perfection. (one of my reasons to study and now work abroad is to experience cities that already reached higher level of livability and then try to implement it in my home town) ![my memories with the city-love of place][1] ![Bratislava panoramic view][2] ![Park of Janko Kráľ, popular place for spending free time][3] 3 . My top 5 criteria are fulfilled to 90/100. This is if I only count the top 5 criteria. In general I would give it 70/100 because there are many aspects that need great improvement and focus. It is not possible to fix it at once, but with small steps and interest of all inhabitants as a community collaborating with the city. This ranking is result of comparison with other cities I visited or spent more time in. 4 . One of the greatest problem in contrast with other European cities is Bratislava's affordability. While prices of real estate might be a bit lower the average salary is few times less than in other countries. Adding the fact that most goods like clothes, sport equipment etc. have more or less the same prices all across Europe and also the selection of groceries in Slovakia pushes people to spend more money that they need to. I personally experienced this when I returned from my studies in Belgium and shopped for a specific recipe, in Slovakia the amount of money I took to the store was not enough because I had no selection of goods in all price levels. The quality of groceries is worse for the same price, selection is lacking and sometimes you have to visit more stores to find a specific thing (happens a lot with vegetables and fresh goods). Another problem is the development control, many illegal buildings, start of construction without informing the public creates the feeling of chaos and inhabitants feel that their opinion does not matter, therefore lot of them never even tries to express it. 5 . Three cities where I would move: I mention only cities I have personal experience with. Stockholm - currently working in Stockholm • selection of goods • environment • affordability • job opportunities • services availability and quality Vienna • short distance to my home town (family, friends...) • environment (similar to Bratislava) • affordability • international connectivity • cultural background Amsterdam • affordability • environment • transport, international connectivity • opportunities of education, personal growth... • social aspect - tolerance, international community... [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14445798649511043.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14445798961510224.jpg [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14445799351350919.jpg