A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON URBANISATION
Over the past 40 years, the global population has nearly doubled, leading to rapid expansion in the size of rural areas, towns, and especially cities. Presently, cities are home to almost half of the global population, and this share is expected to rise to 55% by 2050. Urbanization, driven by global megatrends such as the climate emergency, demographic change, and digitalization, presents unique challenges and opportunities for different regions. These trends underscore the necessity for place-specific, cross-domain policy responses that are efficient and coherent.
The Role of Multilateral Organizations
Multilateral and international organizations, including the OECD and the European Commission (EC), play a critical role in formulating and supporting these policy responses. Both the OECD and the EC have extensive experience in analyzing and developing regional, urban, and rural policies aimed at boosting growth and improving well-being. Platforms such as the OECD Regional Development Committee (RDPC) and the EU’s cohesion and rural development policies facilitate the exchange of best practices and collaboration.
Insights from “Cities in the World” Study
The study “Cities in the World” exemplifies the impact of collaborative efforts on evidence-based policy-making. Despite extensive discussions on urbanization, there has been a lack of a universal definition of ‘city,’ ‘urban area,’ and ‘rural area,’ hindering meaningful international comparisons. The study addresses this gap by using the definitions endorsed by the United Nations Statistical Commission in March 2020 to analyze the growth of cities, towns, and rural areas.
The study reveals key insights into the drivers and consequences of urbanization:
- Advantages of Urban Living:
- Better employment opportunities.
- Enhanced access to healthcare and education.
- Challenges of Urban Living:
- Higher cost of living.
- Increased air pollution, congestion, and crime.
- Metropolitan Area Growth:
- The population of the largest metropolitan areas has grown the fastest.
- One-fifth of metropolitan areas are experiencing population decline.
- Towns play a crucial role in connecting cities and rural areas.
Managing the rapid population growth in some areas, as well as the decline in others, requires innovative policies to ensure the provision of public services, transport, infrastructure, and affordable housing.
Future Public Policy Directions
The “Cities in the World” study provides new methodologies for categorizing, measuring, and comparing human settlements globally. These insights can guide policymakers in identifying current and future needs to foster prosperous and inclusive urban and rural areas. Furthermore, the study offers tools to monitor and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), actively contributing to economic, social, and environmental sustainable development across all regions.
Conclusion
As urbanization continues to shape the global landscape, the collaboration between organizations like the OECD and the EC, combined with robust, evidence-based studies, is essential in crafting effective policies. These efforts will ensure that cities, towns, and rural areas can navigate the challenges posed by demographic shifts, climate change, and digital transformation, promoting sustainable and inclusive growth for all.
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