Insights on Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Tourism, Regions and Cities
Like COVID-19 and climate change, the energy crisis is revealing urban inequalities as well. Wealthier residents consume roughly double the amount of energy as low-income ones, suggesting that the most vulnerable populations will again suffer the most as energy prices climb.
The rise of remote work could still entice people to move out of big cities. But as a general trend, the price of housing in and around cities has continued to rise since 2020. What should policy makers do?
A smart policy instrument called “land-value capture” can help governments pay for expensive infrastructure and other public services without drawing from their general budget. Let’s look at how they do it.
Many countries are struggling to overcome gaps of all shapes and sizes between places. North versus south, east versus west, and urban versus rural divides are all too common. This has produced unequal opportunities and a deep-seated geography of discontent in places that lag behind.
Infrastructure investment can transform prospects for regions and cities. It can reduce digital divides, connect people, firms and places, and put us on track for a carbon-neutral future.
Rents and repayments alone are not the only expense attached to our buildings. Many are leaking energy, leaving a hole in our pockets as well as climate ambitions. And it’s high time to fix them.
The rise of remote working during the COVID-19 crisis significantly reduced activity in cities’ business districts, renewing policy makers’ interest in turning underused office buildings into much needed residential housing in cities. This creates a unique window of opportunity to shape more sustainable and inclusive urban development.