Countries are increasingly required to adapt their service networks to demographic change. Expanding provision in growing suburban areas and scaling down services in rural regions facing population decline are becoming pressing policy challenges. Getting network reorganisation right is essential, as inadequate service provision can adversely affect individual well-being and regional attractiveness.
However, how can governments assess what an optimal service network should look like for their country? There is currently no explicit benchmark for what is optimal, that is, the number, size, and location of facilities a country should maintain to minimise costs while maximising access and quality, given the spatial distribution of demand.
This event aims to strengthen guidance on how to assess whether service networks are well suited to meet the population’s evolving needs, with a focus on school and pharmacy networks. It will also compare how governments use policy and regulatory tools to allocate and reallocate services and workers across territories, balancing accessibility and efficiency.
