2025-02-09-世界银行-应用城市化程度_定义城市_城镇和农村地区以进行国际比较的方法手册（英）_102页_12mb

Summary of "Applying the Degree of Urbanisation"

Core Content

This document provides a methodological manual for defining cities, towns, and rural areas in a harmonised and internationally comparable way. It was developed by six international organisations: the European Commission, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and The World Bank. The manual aims to support the production of reliable and comparable urban and rural statistics in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda.

The methodology introduces a three-level classification system for the urban-rural continuum, starting with level 1 which defines cities, towns and semi-dense areas, and rural areas. This classification is based on population size and density thresholds that are applied consistently across all countries. It is complemented by level 2, which provides a more detailed typology, including suburban or peri-urban areas, villages, dispersed rural areas, and mostly uninhabited areas. Level 3 defines functional urban areas, also known as metropolitan areas, which include cities and their surrounding commuting zones.

The manual is intended to complement national statistical definitions rather than replace them. It serves as a guide for data producers, suppliers, and statisticians to implement the methodology and ensure data consistency and coherency. It also provides value for users of subnational statistics, such as policymakers, the private sector, and researchers, by helping them better interpret and use official data for decision-making and policy development.

Main Points and Key Information

1. Purpose of the Manual

• To provide a harmonised methodology for classifying urban and rural areas for international comparisons.
• To support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and related global agendas by improving the quality and comparability of urban and rural statistics.
• To enable better policy-making and investment decisions by identifying areas that align with SDG targets.

2. Methodology Overview

• The classification is based on population size and density thresholds that are consistent across the globe.
• It uses a population grid as the foundational data source to reduce bias from varying spatial unit shapes and sizes.
• The methodology captures the urban-rural continuum by introducing a third class (towns and semi-dense areas) between urban and rural.
• It is designed to be cost-effective and practical for implementation.

3. Extensions to the Classification

• Level 2 adds more detailed territorial categories such as suburban or peri-urban areas, villages, and dispersed rural areas.
• Functional urban areas (Level 3) define cities and their surrounding areas as economic units, which is useful for monitoring SDG indicators related to urban development and access to services.

4. Implementation and Use

• The manual is a complementary guide for national statistical offices and ministries.
• It is intended for data producers, statisticians, and users of subnational statistics.
• It includes examples of SDG indicators for 12 out of 17 goals, showing how they vary across urban, town, and rural areas.

5. Legal and Policy Context

• The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development highlights the importance of urban and rural indicators for monitoring progress.
• The New Urban Agenda (adopted at Habitat III in 2016) promotes sustainable urban development and the use of functional urban areas for policy guidance.
• Rural development policies are informed by the unique characteristics of rural areas, such as income volatility, depopulation, and limited infrastructure.

6. International Collaboration and Development

• The methodology was endorsed by the UN Statistical Commission in March 2020.
• It was developed through collaboration and consultation with 22 countries and experts.
• A draft was submitted for global consultation in 2020, and feedback was incorporated into the final version.

7. Tools and Resources

• The manual includes tools and training for data producers.
• It provides online resources to support the implementation of the degree of urbanisation classification.

Conclusion

The manual presents a global, harmonised approach to classifying urban and rural areas, enabling international statistical comparisons and improving the quality of data for sustainable development monitoring. It is a collaborative effort by six international organisations and is supported by the UN Statistical Commission. The methodology is simple, cost-effective, and flexible, allowing for extensions to provide more detailed insights into urban and rural dynamics. It serves as a guide for data producers and users of subnational statistics, aiming to enhance policy coherence and decision-making.