Beijing has been named the world's most equitable city where its citizens enjoy the most equal status of life and social harmony in the world, according to a latest report issued by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, or UN-HABITAT in London on Wednesday.

In the report, UN-HABITAT highly praised the efforts made by the Chinese government over the past 15 years to develop its economy and improve the living standard of its people.

"Gini coefficients" that represent income distribution and housing conditions were some of the major factors that had been taken into consideration by UN-HABITAT during the selection process, China Radio International reports.

The cities' layout, size, social harmony, as well as efforts to balance development and the environment were also taken into account.

The report also pointed out that the current population of cities in developing countries will double by 2050 due to accelerated urbanization.

(CRI October 23, 2008)