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These Are The 10 Fastest-Emerging Global Cities

This Is The Next Generation Of Global Cities
Charlotte Alfred
By 

World Reporter, The Huffington Post

TO GO WITH 'INDONESIA-HISTORY-CONSTRUCTION-TOURISM-NETHERLANDS' By Alvin Darnalika SoejarjoA view of old buildings at Kali Besar Timur, Kota Tua in Jakarta on December 17, 2008. In the middle of Jakarta there is a place more reminiscent of the ruins of Cambodia's Angkor than the heart of a historic capital seeking to promote itself to the world. Jakarta's historic 'Old Town' of Batavia, the centuries-old centre of Dutch colonial trade and administration until only about 60 years ago, is in ruins. AFP PHOTO/ADEK BERRY (Photo credit should read ADEK BERRY/AFP/Getty Images)
TO GO WITH 'INDONESIA-HISTORY-CONSTRUCTION-TOURISM-NETHERLANDS' By Alvin Darnalika SoejarjoA view of old buildings at Kali Besar Timur, Kota Tua in Jakarta on December 17, 2008. In the middle of Jakarta there is a place more reminiscent of the ruins of Cambodia's Angkor than the heart of a historic capital seeking to promote itself to the world. Jakarta's historic 'Old Town' of Batavia, the centuries-old centre of Dutch colonial trade and administration until only about 60 years ago, is in ruins. AFP PHOTO/ADEK BERRY (Photo credit should read ADEK BERRY/AFP/Getty Images)

Cities in lower-income countries are rapidly catching up with the world's top business capitals, according to a new report.

Chicago-based consulting firm A.T. Kearney is predicting the next generation of global cities, based on the speed with which they are catching up to world capitals. The "Emerging Cities Outlook," released Monday, analyzed 34 cities in low- and middle-income countries, measuring development in business activity, innovation and ability to attract people to live there.

"As physical distances become less relevant and global competition intensifies, cities in low- and middle-income countries will increasingly jockey for position with one another and with cities in higher-income countries," Andres Mendoza Pena, a coauthor of the report, said in a press statement.

The Emerging Cities Outlook is part of a wider report on the world's most globally-connected cities, measuring them by business activity, human capital, information exchange, cultural experience and political engagement. New York, London and Paris took the top spots.

Bloomberg notes that the top-tier cities have remained fairly static since the index started in 2008, making Beijing's entry into the top 10 this year an indicator of the Chinese capital's remarkable rise. "As a whole cities are improving, so they all need to run to keep up," Mendoza Pena told the news agency.

Take a look below for the report's top 10 emerging global cities, and find out which metropolis is the fastest-rising star.

10. Kuala Lumpur
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Kuala Lumpur is positioned to most quickly catch up to the world's leading cities in terms of ease of doing business.
A view of Malaysia's landmark Patronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur on March 27, 2010. (SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)
9. Nairobi
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The Emerging Cities Outlook notes that fast-rising Nairobi is an important center of regional politics.
A night view of Nairobi on March 15, 2012. (TONY KARUMBA/AFP/Getty Images)
8. Mumbai
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The report says that outward-looking Mumbai is way ahead of other Asian cities in terms of business activity.
Locals play in the sea at Chowpatty Beach in Mumbai, India on Nov. 23, 2012. (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
7. Bogota
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Bogota is progressing rapidly toward leading cities in human capital because of improvements in security and stability, respect for the environment and health care, the report says.
A rainbow with city of Bogota, Colombia, in the background, July 27, 2013. (GUILLERMO LEGARIA/AFP/Getty Images)
6. Rio de Janeiro
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Another Latin American city to make the top 10 emerging global cities was Brazil's Rio de Janeiro.
View of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf in the background, Nov. 12, 2013. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
5. New Delhi
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The report notes that Indian cities seem to be benefiting greatly from the country's booming global services industry.
A view of the Red Fort and Jama Mosque in New Delhi, India, Dec. 8, 2011. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
4. Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo is already a strong global business player, and at its current rate of development it will rapidly catch up with the top cities around the world, the report says.
A view of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Dec. 16, 2013. (Friedemann Vogel/Getty Images)
3. Addis Ababa
While the Ethiopian capital ranks fairly low on the report's innovation index, its rapid development since 2008 is propelling Addis Ababa forward as a global city, the authors say.
The Merkato marketplace in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, June 11, 2011. (AP Photo Elias Asmare)
2. Manila
The Emerging Cities Outlook notes that while Manila is not yet a leading city for global business, sharp improvements in human capital indicators, like improved health care, make the Filipino capital a rising star.
A view of the Makati City financial district in Manila, Philippines, May 8, 2013. (Dondi Tawatao/Getty Images)
1. Jakarta
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Jakarta is laying the groundwork to become a leading global city, according to the report, which cites improvements in security, environmental protection and income equality.
A view of old buildings at Kali Besar Timur, Kota Tua in Jakarta on Dec. 17, 2008. (ADEK BERRY/AFP/Getty Images)
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