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Regional, rural and urban development

Regional Development Policy

 

OECD WORK ON STRENGTHENING REGIONS


Regional development is a broad term but can be seen as a general effort to enhance well-being and living standards in all region types, from cities to rural areas, and improve their contribution to national performance and more inclusive, resilient societies.

 

WHAT'S THE ISSUE?

Disparities exist worldwide between countries – but also within countries across regions. Regional development policy or place-based policies aim to reduce regional disparities by supporting economic activities in all regions. In today’s context, these policies are more important than ever.

Place-blind policies (subsidies) have failed to reduce regional disparities significantly – nor have they been able to help individual lagging regions catch up. The result is under-used economic potential and weakened social cohesion. Place-based policies go well beyond direct support for lagging regions, to include:

 

  • adapting to specific territorial assets
  • investment strategies
  • attractiveness strategies
  • optimising complementarities 
  • efficient multi-level governance systems
  • stakeholder involvement

 

 

DISPARITIES ACROSS OECD COUNTRIES

Get more granular data at the OECD statistical Atlas for regions and cities - over 100 more indicators.

 

WHAT CAN THE OECD OFFER?

OECD work on regional policy, multi-level governance and policies tailored to rural and urban areas, has evolved towards producing data, analysis and standards serving economy-wide objectives, such as:

 

  • national growth strategies
  • achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
  • resilience to shocks
  • regional well-being and inclusiveness

 

AREAS OF WORK


COVID-19 and regional recovery

©metamorworks

Restoring productivity growth in the wake of the COVID-19 and building resilience to future shocks.  Find out more…

 

Digitalisation and regional innovation

©gorodenkoff

Making the most of digital solutions and new technologies to increase productivity. Find out more... 

Transitioning to a low-carbon economy

©metamorworks

Rethinking sustainable development from the ground up. Find out more...

 

Reducing inequalities in regions

©metamorworks

Maintaining inclusive growth and well-being for all people in all types of region. Find out more...

 

 

RELATED WORK


 

At the core of regional development policy is the need for co-ordination across levels of government.

Different types of region need policies tailored to their economic/demographic/geographic specificities

All OECD work on regional development is underpinned by sound data and analysis 

                           

CONTACT


For additional information, please contact regions@oecd.org

 

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