A report from the University of Buenos Aires analyzed the quality of life in 24 municipalities of Greater Buenos Aires to reveal which are the best cities in the Conurbano. The survey, conducted by the Faculty of Economic Sciences, evaluated five key aspects: institutional policy, economic development, society, environment, and technology and infrastructure.
The results show marked differences between the localities of the Conurbano, where some stand out for their management and quality of life, while others show serious deficiencies. The research is part of the Strategic City Management Index, a study that aims to promote sustainable and effective policies.
Vicente López, Tres de Febrero, and San Isidro lead the ranking with scores above 3 out of 5. These municipalities showed good performance in most of the areas analyzed. On the other hand, Ezeiza, Moreno, and Merlo obtained the lowest scores.
The highest average was for the social area, closely followed by technology and infrastructure and economic development. In contrast, environmental care remains the major pending issue in most districts.
Vicente López is one of the cities in the Conurbano with a better quality of life. Photo: Google Maps.
Lack of planning, a common problem
The report also highlights the lack of coordination among the municipalities of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area. The absence of metropolitan governance leads to fragmentation in public services, negative environmental impact, and complications in addressing shared issues such as transportation and urban land access.
The AMBA concentrates a third of the Argentine population and generates 50% of the national GDP. This reality demands integrated management, capable of addressing the needs of a region as complex as it is dynamic.
The evaluation tool from the UBA allows for a comprehensive diagnosis of each municipality, providing relevant data for local authorities, researchers, and urban planners, with the aim of promoting better public policies.
What does a city need to be good to live in?
To be considered a good city to live in, a locality must meet several conditions. Firstly, it must have efficient public services, such as healthcare, education, transportation, and security, ensuring the quality of life of its inhabitants.
Economic development is also essential, providing job opportunities and promoting social inclusion. A city with decent employment and active productive sectors has a better chance of being sustainable in the long run.
Additionally, environmental sustainability is fundamental. Proper waste management, care for green spaces, access to clean water, and promotion of clean energy are basic pillars for a healthy and balanced environment.
Lastly, technological infrastructure and smart urban planning allow for optimizing services and anticipating the population’s needs, ensuring a good quality of life for future generations.
Plaza de los aviones in Tres de Febrero. Photo: Google Maps.
The value of measuring for improvement
The UBA study is presented as a tool that not only measures but also drives improvements. By providing a comprehensive view, it helps understand the complexity of the territory and promotes more effective public policies.
The results also prompt reflection on the importance of urban environmental management, an aspect that remains weak in most evaluated municipalities. The ideal city is not only one that offers basic services but does so without compromising the environment or development opportunities.
Understanding how cities work and what their critical points are is key to building fairer, more sustainable spaces suitable for a fulfilling life. The challenge lies in turning these diagnoses into concrete actions that improve the quality of life for millions of people.
