The Best U.S. Cities, by Design

Chicago at the top of the list, with New York a close second. Los Angeles, Washington, and Portland, Ore., were also featured.

(Business week) -- By the end of 2008, 3.3 billion people will live in urban areas, according to a report released by the U.N. last year. As such, the design of these cities—and the quality of life in them—becomes an ever more critical issue.

Architectural firm RMJM Hillier put together a survey of the best cities in the U.S. for design. The results, released June 25, put Chicago at the top of the list, with New York a close second. Los Angeles, Washington, and Portland, Ore., were also featured.

"Realizing that economic opportunity and environmental beauty can be mutually compatible, cities are adopting policies or instituting programs to clean up the environment, build quality buildings, enhance infrastructure, and promote community through public spaces," the report's authors write. In other words, design can be a clinching factor in attracting residents, visitors—and dollars.