Methodology

The City Power Index (CPI) is built upon a functional understanding of geopolitical power. Rather than relying on abstract prestige or symbolic hierarchies, the index measures how cities operate as nodes of influence, infrastructure, and strategic capacity within the international system. This approach emphasizes the role of cities as operational tools of statecraft and global interaction.

Dimensions Measured

• Security: Presence of military infrastructure, intelligence centers, and coordination hubs for national or regional security.
• Infrastructure: Connectivity through airports, seaports, highways, digital networks, and logistics platforms.
• Energy: Access to critical energy resources, infrastructure, and innovation in sustainable systems.
• Diplomacy: Density of embassies, consulates, multilateral offices, and participation in international networks.
• Influence: Ability to shape global agendas through finance, media, innovation, education, or cultural production.

Data Sources

All data is derived from open-access international databases, satellite imagery, multilateral reports, government records, and academic research. Where available, the most recent and standardized indicators were used, ensuring comparability and reliability across regions.

Scoring Method

Each city receives a score from 0 to 10 in each of the five dimensions. These scores are standardized, weighted equally, and then averaged to produce a final CPI score. Cities are then classified into one of five categories:

• Global Core: Cities with exceptional performance across all areas.
• Regional Anchor: Cities that drive influence within a specific region.
• One-Class Node: Cities with world-class strength in one category.
• Peripheral Agent: Cities with moderate scores and selective relevance.
• Low-Scope Node: Cities with limited global or regional impact.

Limitations

This index does not claim to measure every form of urban power. Rather, it identifies the dimensions that are operationally relevant to statecraft and global positioning. The CPI is updated periodically to incorporate new cities, data revisions, and methodological improvements.

For a deeper explanation of categories and indicators, see the full methodology annex.