Melbourne has been named one of the world’s top ten leading “2020 Global Sustainability Centers”.

The 2020 Global Sustainability Centers (GSC) study by the well-regarded New York-based Ethisphere Institute took into account a city’s public transport, local economy, environment, health, education, recreation and living standards.

Melbourne was labelled a city of the future along with Toronto, New York, Singapore, Frankfurt, Abu Dhabi, Cape Town, Hyderabad, London and Curitiba in Brazil.

The Ethisphere Institute was full of praise for Melbourne’s efforts to cut the number of cars in the city, impose a speed limit of 30 km/h, have only 10 per cent of workers commute to the city, build bike paths, introduce a city bicycle rental system, introduce massive energy saving measures and build more affordable housing.

The city was also recognised for its plans to operate public transport 24 hours a day and encourage late-night entertainment.

For more information about the study click here.