Athens ranked 88th in global liveability, author criticizes city's 'smart' claims

Athens ranked 88th out of 173 cities in the Economist's Global Liveability Index 2026, a placement that has prompted questions about the city's quality of life. While Copenhagen, Vienna, and Melbourne secured the top spots based on criteria like education, healthcare, infrastructure, and culture, Athens lagged behind.

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The smart city is becoming a reality! How? First in the list of achievements is "smart cleaning with meters and sensors on vehicles and bins"!

The report cited infrastructure deficiencies, including traffic and outdated public transport, as well as stability issues such as frequent strikes, protests, and petty crime, and the strain on public healthcare as key factors holding Athens back.

The article questions the municipality's and the state's efforts, highlighting a recent announcement by the mayor of Athens about "smart cleaning" with sensors and meters on vehicles and bins. The author contrasts this with the reality of hundreds of dilapidated bins in the city's neighborhoods, suggesting a disconnect between official claims and daily life.

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Hundreds of dilapidated, dirty, miserable bins in Athens' neighborhoods confirm this.

It also turns the lens on citizens, questioning their contribution to the city's well-being. The author points to the neglect of public spaces, aggressive driving, disregard for the rights of vulnerable citizens, and general apathy towards anything not privately owned. The piece concludes that the city's communication strategies and its physical and social degradation are progressing in tandem.

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Virtual reality vs. an unlivable daily life. This is not a deviation, but an invention: Athens as the Copenhagen of the South.