Publications & Documents

Senescence in the City - OECD Insights blog

Blog: Anecdotal evidence suggests there are loads of grumpy old men and women around. A new, evidence-based report from the OECD offers some clues as to why this should be.

Ageing in Cities: Cities need to plan ahead for an ageing population

This report shows that cities in advanced economies are growing older more quickly than rural areas. In OECD cities, 14% of people were over 65 in 2011 up from 12% in 2001. The trend will put pressure on cities to rethink some infrastructure and plan for an ageing labour force, change in revenue lower tax revenues, rising demand for social housing and higher spending on health and social care.

Ageing in Cities

Governing Cities

OECD urban development policies seek to address a range of issues – from managing urban expansion and congestion to fostering competitiveness, innovation, social inclusion and environmental sustainability. This page gives an overview of the main issues, challenges and opportunities governments face when deciding city & urban policy.

Urban Mobility System Upgrade: How shared self-driving cars could change city traffic?

This report explores this question on the basis of detailed mobility data including origin, destination and timing of all trips for a mid-sized European city. ITF developed a model to test various alternative transport system configurations that would provide the same level of mobility (locations and timing) as today.

Service delivery in rural areas

Service delivery in rural areas is more costly than in urban areas - a key challenge for governments at all levels. Rural policy needs to act as a platform coordinating national and sub-national resources to guarantee access to services and to identify public goods that are conducive to economic development.

OECD National Urban Policy Programme

National Urban Policies have been recognised internationally as a tool for the implementation and monitoring of global urban agendas, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, Paris Agreement and Sendai Framework. The OECD stresses the importance of collaboration across all levels of government, civil society, the private sector and other key players when designing and implementing national urban policies.

Public Investment

Webpage highlighting the main issues and challenges governments face when undertaking public investment projects, and OECD resources to guide them when undertaking public investment projects.

Governance of Land Use

Cooperation between the local, regional and national governments is crucial if coherent land-use practices are to develop in a socially, environmentally, and financially sustainable way. This webpage highlights the challenges and ways forward for the governance of land use.

Public Investment Toolkit: Guidance for regional & local government

This online resource will guide you in implementing the OECD Principles on Effective Public Investment Across Levels of Government. In addition to better familiarising yourself with the 12 Principles, the Toolkit lets you compare indicators and best practices in use in numerous countries, regions and municipalities.