GOOD news, Singapore: The city-state has bounced back into the top 20 in Monocle’s list of the world’s most liveable cities.

Last year it was No. 22. It reached No. 17 in 2007, and is No. 18 in this year’s survey by the London-based lifestyle and global-affairs magazine.

Zurich is No. 1. Two Asian cities – Tokyo (No. 3) and Fukuoka (No. 16) in Japan – are ahead of Singapore.

The survey, featured in the July/August issue which hits newsstands tomorrow, said that “Singapore is adding a softer side to its reputation as a business city”. It added that with its “own Formula One road race and upcoming casinos, Singapore is aiming to replicate the glamour of Monaco”.

The city’s planners were also praised for promoting “brave, landmark projects”, such as the “UFO-shaped Supreme Court”.

Without elaborating upon what Singapore could improve on, Monocle said the city could “encourage media freedom”.

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Photos: Reuters, ST, AFP, Singapore GP, Joseph Nair for the Straits Times