Rural livelihoods are deeply connected to urban centres, with mid-sized cities playing a pivotal role in providing essential services, promoting food security, and fostering viable rural development. This is according to a new study conducted by researchers at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and other institutions.
The study, published in the journal Nature Cities, reveals that two-thirds of the world’s population, or over 5 billion people, live within an hour’s travel time of an urban centre with a population of at least 250,000. About half of these people have access to more than one urban centre, often relying on smaller nearby cities for basic services.
SMALLER URBAN CENTERS MORE IMPACTFUL
The study finds that “large cities are less relevant than smaller ones in engaging populations.” Approximately three times as many people live in or have easier access to urban centres with populations under one million compared to larger metropolitan areas. This highlights the significant role smaller cities play in supporting rural communities.
“Our approach represents the first systematic worldwide delineation of city-regions across multiple urban tiers,” said lead author Andrea Cattaneo, Senior Economist at FAO. “This unprecedented dataset offers a powerful tool for understanding how societies are organized around urban centres, unlocking new insights for sustainable development strategies.”
DATA-DRIVEN INSIGHTS FOR POLICY MAKERS
The study introduces a robust database that enhances earlier research by Cattaneo and co-authors on spatial patterns impacting rural livelihoods. Previously, it was found that 92% of people live within an hour of an urban centre. The new data reveals that many people live within one hour of several urban centres, which has significant implications for policy makers and planners.
The dataset aggregates 219 million land-based locations into 130,000 territorial ‘patches’ describing locations served by the same set of urban centres. “Delineating city–regions by assembling the patches was akin to completing a gigantic puzzle,” Cattaneo noted. Spanning 213 countries and territories, the data enables more granular territorial planning, particularly in countries where such detailed data was previously unavailable.
IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
“In a world where commuting is on the rise and the climate crisis is intensifying, such territorial approaches are increasingly imperative for assuring energy-efficient and equitable transportation, as well as effective natural resource management,” Cattaneo said. This perspective also supports urban residents in enjoying outdoor activities, potentially boosting tourism-related jobs in rural areas.
The importance of these approaches is underscored by national histories and infrastructure development patterns. For example, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom have the highest share of population living within one hour of travel time from more than one urban tier, followed by China, Nigeria, and South Asian countries. In contrast, Madagascar, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe have the greatest remoteness from urban centres, posing significant challenges for more than half their populations.
The study by FAO and its partners highlights the critical role of mid-sized cities in rural development and food security. With two-thirds of the world’s population living within an hour of an urban centre, the findings underscore the importance of smaller urban areas in providing essential services and supporting sustainable development. This new data-driven approach offers valuable insights for policy makers and planners aiming to enhance rural livelihoods and ensure food security in a rapidly changing world.
