11 Best Countries in Urban Planning

Finding out which are the best countries in urban planning is a tricky quest since the term “urban planning” covers many categories. The term includes many different activities that have the overall purpose of organizing a city (on different levels, for example political and architectural) in the most functional way possible. So, the main question that poses itself is – how to do it, how to actually rank countries by their level of urban planning? Well, we’ve found one way to do it, so keep on reading to find out.

Many people who were born in a big city and were faced with traffic and crowds ever since they were little kids got used to it like it is is a completely normal thing. Most of them never even thought of the people whose job is to organize all that chaos. I know I haven’t. I never stopped to appreciate all that was arranged and organized, but I sure knew how to criticize all that I thought wasn’t good. Now, I see things from a different perspective, and I am very much aware of how complex a job it is to design smaller towns, not to mention big metropoles like New York, Tokyo, London, or Mexico City. The job of an urban planner is a tough one – how would you answer all people’s requests?

As always, requests vary from person to person – the most important thing to have in a city may be sports areas, theaters and other cultural institutions, big green areas and parks, or even shopping districts. Urban planning takes care of the arrangement of buildings, streets, parks, institutions and, of course, transportation. The best country in urban planning should have a perfect balance between all this – it should have very well organized traffic, be friendly to pedestrians, have public transportation that is functioning, have densely arranged schools, hospitals, and markets, and many other things. Such good organization is more and more connected to new technologies and inventions, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that few of the countries listed below host some of the most technologically advanced cities in the world.

I’ve searched the web a lot, trying to find more data that would help me create a proper methodology for ranking countries by their level of urban planning, but had no luck in finding those. If you have any suggestion on how to improve this article, please leave comments below, and I will be happy to consider them. There are too many factors to consider when analyzing urban planning, and there are no studies or statistical data about them. Taking all this into account, we’ve noticed that there is one thing that connects all of the aforementioned elements of urban planning – of course, it is traffic. Even when you work and live on opposite ends of the city, you won’t find your traveling difficult if traffic moves quickly. With strong traffic organization, citizens can enjoy the benefits each big city has to offer.

This is why we have decided to rank the best countries in urban planning by their traffic organization, and we have based our ranking on the TomTom’s Traffic Index list. TomTom covers 36 developed countries in the world, and they keep track of congestion levels in each of these countries. Congestion level percentages represent the “increase of overall times when compared to a free flow situation (an uncongested situation).” We’ve found the 2 highest ranking cities from each country and calculate the average congestion level for those two cities. Note that some countries only have one city on this list, which probably means that other cities there are not congested enough to make the ranking, meaning that the average congestion level is really low there.

We’ve considered including population density as one of the parameters, because we were surprised with the results we got, especially with the 1st place, but that didn’t help much because population density doesn’t actually show how people are settled in one country. Take for example – UAE; it has vast areas of deserts where no one lives, and all the population is concentrated in the metropolitan areas. So, in the end, we decided not to include that parameter. Statistics or research data about the number of green areas, how densely arranged hospitals and schools are, or any other relevant parameter for urban planning we couldn’t find.

Sticking with only one relevant parameter that we did find – traffic congestion – we present you the list of the best countries in urban planning that is bound to surprise you!

11. Portugal

Average congestion level – 26%

Oh, the land of Fado music…is not only impeccable when it comes to art, but also when it comes to practical skills of urban planning. If you have an opportunity to visit Lisbon by car don’t be afraid of being stuck in traffic.

10. Saudi Arabia

Average congestion level – 26%

I guess Saudi Arabia doesn’t provide its residents with cheap gas prices, but also with good traffic functionality, thanks to their urban planners. Thinking about how fun it is to drive around in Saudi Arabia? Me too!

9. Spain

Average congestion level – 26%

Who would have thought that those vigorous Spaniards, known for passionate flamenco dance and incredible guitar talents, don’t create much traffic congestion on their roads? Good organization of cities must be the answer.

8. Sweden

Average congestion level – 25%

Finding these northern countries that are world famous for a high standard of living and good quality of life on this list is probably something everyone is expecting. Since they are known for providing their citizens everything they can, it’s no wonder their urban planning is so good.

7. Norway

Average congestion level – 25%

Another northern country known for beautiful nature, besides the incredible standard of living, Norway proudly takes the 7th place on this list. I am sure no one can imagine any list of countries that have “best” in the title not having Norway included.

6. Slovakia

Average congestion level – 23%

Slovakia is known as a “car country” because it produces the most cars per capita in the world. Don’t be intimidated by this fact, because with an average congestion level of 23%, you likely won’t be stuck in traffic here.

5. The Netherlands

Average congestion level – 22%

The country of bicycles, tulips, and windmills takes the 5th place among these best countries in urban planning. If you’re thinking there are more bicycles on their roads than there are motor vehicles so, of course, there isn’t much congestion there, give some credit to their urban planners for creating a vast network of cycling paths and making cities friendly both to cyclists and drivers.

4. Finland

Average congestion level – 22%

The land of saunas, midnight sun, and high standard of living occupies the 4th place on this list of the best countries in urban planning, with an average congestion level as low as 22%. Finns don’t need their sisu to cope with traffic at least.

3. Denmark

Average congestion level – 21.5%

Another country known for its happy residents who prefer riding bicycles to pressing the gas pedal. Alongside high standard of living, its congestion level is low, meaning excellent urban planning by Denmark!

2. United Arab Emirates

Average congestion level – 21%

If you thought that the UAE would top this list like I did at first, then this is coming as a surprise to you, and you are probably wondering what country is on the next page, taking the first spot. A little patience and soon you will find out.

Let me explain why I’m not surprised that the UAE placed second. I read a few articles on urban planning, including one that lists the worst cities in urban planning, that got me thinking on this topic. There you will find Dubai, which I had the chance to visit – I was charmed with their traffic arrangement and only with that. So, in the end, I guess that with all those skyscrapers, and with big malls as the only walkable places on hot days, even with 5 car lanes in one direction, the UAE doesn’t deserve to take first place on this list. Click on the next page to find out which country has taken the crown here.

1. Hungary

Average congestion level – 20%

Yes, believe it or not, Hungary has topped this list of the best countries in urban planning. Its metropolis, Budapest, is the only city from Hungary that has been ranked on the TomTom’s traffic index list.

Truth be told, it all comes down to subjectivity. What do you choose? What is the perfect urban planning according to you? Would you more easily make peace with Dubai’s acclimatized malls, shops, restaurants, and cars everywhere, or with the Lisbon’s city squares, churches, and museums?