Using Data to Build Better Communities, Cities and Regions

Effective benchmarks and monitoring mechanisms will be essential to ensure the successful implementation of the New Urban Agenda (NUA). The comprehensiveness and complexity of the NUA highlights the need to go beyond urbanisation rates and macroeconomic statistics and take wellbeing and the quality of life of urban residents into account. These variables can tremendously affect economic outcomes and hinder the achievements of the NUA. For example, while GDP may be presently increasing, it might be occurring at a great cost to the natural environment, hindering liveability of the urban area for the present and future generation. This calls for innovative and more comprehensive monitoring instruments capable of capturing different aspects of people’s life where they experience them.  This high-level event brings together experts and government representative to discuss innovative approaches in measuring wellbeing. Firstly, examples of data and indicators developed at the subnational level to provide a comprehensive picture of people’s wellbeing will be presented, based on the experience of countries such as Mexico, Columbia and Denmark which have pioneered such an initiative. For example, Mexico has established a one-stop shop for wellbeing where objective and subjective indicators are available on 11 themes and covering the 31 States and Federal District. Since 2014, the OECD has developed a framework and indicators to measure wellbeing in 395 subnational regions according to 11 topics that shape people’s life. Secondly, lessons and learning will be shared on the challenges in using indicators to steer policy decisions and opportunities to increase coordination, accountability and improve delivery of results will be discussed. The event aims to provide national and urban policy makers with deeper understanding and interest in well-being indicators and contribute to building a global partnership and political commitment to promote the wellbeing of urban residents.