Cities are magnets of talent and investment, creating vibrant hubs with great potential to ignite national growth and competitiveness. The OECD helps design effective policies to craft strong cities of all sizes, harness digital transformation to elevate people’s quality of life, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on the ground.
Urban development and cities
We work with national, regional and local governments to achieve competitive, sustainable, inclusive and resilient cities of all sizes while improving residents’ quality of life. From addressing climate change to preparing for demographic change and embracing the digital transition, we support governments in all areas of urban policy to unleash the transformative power of cities.
Key messages
While urbanisation has put severe pressure on natural resources, cities have unique potential to forge pathways towards a net-zero future by reimagining their development model within planetary boundaries. National and local leaders need to join forces to tackle place-specific climate impacts and enhance resilience. Decarbonising urban transport and buildings is essential to reduce emissions and pave the way towards a more sustainable future. Accelerating the transition from a linear to a circular economy in cities will be critical to optimise resource use, minimise waste, and foster environmental sustainability while creating new sources of growth.
With their concentration of infrastructure and amenities, cities have the potential to expand opportunities for all residents and drive upward socioeconomic mobility by offering access to quality education, employment and healthcare, among other enablers. Both national and local leaders have a key role to play in fighting inequalities and fostering inclusive cities where all parts of society can thrive.
Context
The world is increasingly urbanised
Over the past two decades, cities have continued to drive demographic and economic growth. Effective policies are necessary to guide balanced and quality urbanisation.
OECD Principles on Urban Policy
The OECD Principles on Urban Policy crystallise the lessons from over 20 years of OECD work on cities to guide the design, implementation and monitoring of effective urban policy. To help deploy the Principles on the ground, the Implementation Toolkit of the OECD Principles on Urban Policy offers a self-assessment tool and a selection of innovative practices from around the world.
The OECD Working Party on Urban Policy (WPURB)
The work of the OECD on cities, urban policies and sustainable development aims to improve quality of life and achieve more inclusive societies in cities of all sizes, while addressing a range of issues – from managing urban expansion and congestion to encouraging innovation and environmental sustainability.
Under the OECD Regional Development Policy Committee (RDPC), the OECD Working Party on Urban Policy (WPURB) brings together national policymakers in charge of urban policy from OECD member and partner countries. Building on solid data and more than two decades of expertise on urban issues, the Working Party offers a unique international forum to debate common challenges and opportunities facing cities of all sizes, exchange concrete policy experiences and share innovative solutions that help shape a more resilient, sustainable and inclusive urban future.
The Working Party holds two official sessions per year, and works in close collaboration with several OECD-led policy forums including the OECD Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth initiative, the OECD Roundtable of Mayors and Ministers, the OECD Roundtables on Cities and Regions for the SDGs, Smart Cities, and Circular Economy. A Bureau is designated every year to steer the work of the Working Party.
