Hub Culture compiles the Zeitgeist Ranking to cast a shadow in the direction of the network's thoughts - gathered from questions, emails and outreach with Hub Culture members worldwide to figure out where the tea leaves are heading and where the action is. In developing the rankings, everything from population rankings to GDP to quality of life and presence on the internet are looked at, but there is no magic formula for determining how the scene changes. Like collective wisdom, it just is, and later, always seems inevitable, at least to us.

Did sleeping beauty nod off again? Tokyo - one of the world's largest cities and a normally exciting spot for technology innovation - has fallen back into slumber. The economy is hurting from the lingering recession and little exciting appears on the horizon. The city remains too important to ignore, but sometimes flat is simply... flat. Yawn.

 

 

 

16. Copenhagen (2009 Rank: 20)

 

Copenhagen inched onto last year's list and managed to scoot up the rankings this year, all on the back of the UN Climate Summit. While the Summit was not a success for a new agreement, it was a great success for Copenhagen - giving it a chance to "own climate". From bicycles to windmills, Copenhagen is setting examples for civic leadership in this arena, and making bundles for Danish business in the process. Design and fashion always play a role here, but recently the city has made large strides in contemporary art - where else can you drink under Olafur Eliasson lamps and scout the hottest new artists?

 

 

 

17. Mexico D.F. (2009 Rank: 19)

 

Mexico City rattles up a couple notches on the back of anticipation: the country's economy is picking up and lots of opportunities exist as the leaders reboot climate negotiations in the new world this December. Mexico City is poised to play a unique role as a backdrop for the consequences of environmental mismanagement while setting up a story on adaptation - how the world will come to face resource and climate pressure. Shame about the murder rate, but it's a crazy city, and quietly on the rise.

 

 

18. Istanbul (2009 Rank: 18)

 

Its impossible not to be optimistic in Istanbul. The economy here is growing steadily and a young population seems enthusiastic about the future. Turks are beginning to return from other areas to pursue opportunities that seem better at home - and the city is simply vibrant. The surprise is design: cities like Istanbul are future-proofing their history, creating a beautiful, rich new aesthetic as they do so. From the revival of hammam to the arrival of minimalist carpet - design leadership is a new export from Istanbul impacting many areas of the global scene.

 

 

19. Buenos Aires (2009 Rank: 14)

 

Everything is just fine in Buenos Aires. The city is purring along like a happy feline, and for once, steady is the operative word. If anything, the whole idea of Buenos Aires as a gringo nirvana seems to be getting too much play - meaning the heat of the moment may be on the wane. Nevertheless, where else can you live like a king, with so many options, for so little? BA remains nothing short of fantastic, in nearly every way.

 

 

20. Abu Dhabi (New)

 

As anyone in the Middle East will tell you - the money is in Abu Dhabi. Never has that been more apparent than recently, as momentum has shifted away from flashy Dubai and toward it's more sedate cousin to the south. Dubai is bigger, brasher, and taller than its neighbor, but everyone knows who's paying for rehab. The city is making some grand statements of its own, aiming for a classy image with trophies as varied as the Grand Prix to the Guggenheim to Zaha Hadid - a taste play that is slowly paying off. It may not last, but this year, Abu Dhabi dominates.