What will it take to build inclusive pathways for economic and social transformation in left behind communities? The OECD’s Transforming Places project aims to help policymakers answer this question.
Policymakers, researchers and other stakeholders across the OECD have long grappled with how to help struggling communities seize economic opportunities and enhance quality of life for all residents.
Addressing existing geographic divides and crafting "future-proof" policies in the era of green and digital transitions demands a departure from business as usual.
To help policymakers and practitioners better deliver for their communities, the OECD’s Transforming Places project focuses on understudied dimensions of local transformation.
For example, what types of local leadership are needed in response to different forms of shocks and transitions, and how can these capacities be built? What role can stakeholders such as civil society, social economy and the private sector play in place transformation, and how can a wider range of local assets, such as social capital, be leveraged in the process? How adaptable are local workers and firms to megatrends (e.g. green transition, technological change), and how will lessons from past transitions need to be adapted for the future of work?
In answering these questions, the project looks beyond traditional economic indicators as metrics of success, to zoom in on how to catalyse transformation that delivers a high quality of life for a broader range of residents. In addition to the research activities, the project offers opportunities for international peer exchange and learning, such as study tours and seminars.
The project is divided in four larger workstreams, which will be mutually reinforcing. For example, the quantitative analysis will inform the selection of case studies, while the findings from the case studies will then in turn inform the refinement of the quantitative analysis (i.e. identifying additional inputs to local transformation that were not initially included in the model). Likewise, the peer learning exchanges and networks will help to unpack the transferrable lessons for UK communities.
Drawing from a wide range of academic disciplines and practical experiences, the project will assess the existing knowledge – as well as gaps – related to place transformation. We will take a deep dive on understudied dimensions of place transformation, such as “soft infrastructure” in the form of local leadership and social capital.
Quantitative analysis will examine the jobs and employment dynamics of past transformations, while also considering how lessons from the past may apply to future transitions and mega-trends such as the green and digital transition, AI, and demographic change. By leveraging data-driven approaches, we aim to shed light on the complex dynamics shaping the future of places.
Through a series of international case studies in selected communities, we will further unpack the factors driving successful transformation. Guided by our quantitative analysis, we will prioritize communities with noteworthy stories of inclusive transformation, offering valuable insights into effective strategies and best practices.
The research activities are complemented by capacity-building initiatives and peer exchange opportunities for stakeholders in the UK and beyond. Through workshops, study tours, and practical implementation guides, we aim to empower local decision-makers with the knowledge and tools needed to drive positive change in their communities.
This project is funded by UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) under the workstream Creating opportunities, improving outcomes, which seeks to improve outcomes for people and places across the UK by identifying solutions that promote economic and social prosperity.
Neil Lee
Professor of Economic Geography, Department of Geography and Environment, LSE
Amy Glasmeier
Professor of Economic Geography and Regional Planning, MIT
Des McNulty
Chair, Local Policy Innovation Partnerships (LPIPs) Hub Advisory Board, United Kingdom
Rebecca Riley
Associate Professor Enterprise, Engagement, and Impact, Birmingham University
Mark O’Connell
Executive Chairman and founder of OCO Global
Local Government Association
Frank Neffke
Team Leader of the Science of Cities group at the Complexity Science Hub Vienna
John Austin
Senior Fellow, Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College, Nonresident Senior Fellow Brookings Institution, Affiliated Faculty, University of Michigan Marsal School of Education
Interested in learning more or want to be part of the journey?
Contact TransformingPlaces@oecd.org.
