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      Rapid urbanization, climate volatility, fiscal constraint and rising social expectations are exposing the limits of traditional approaches to urban planning and investment. The challenge is not a lack of ambition or funding, but rather how decisions are made, investments are structured and delivery is governed and coordinated.

      Addressing the gap between investment and outcomes requires cities to move beyond asset-level justification toward integrated, geography-specific portfolios and place-based business cases that reflect how places function and are experienced in practice. 

      Developed in collaboration with the Davos Baukultur Alliance and UN-Habitat, this white paper supports that shift. Drawing on global case studies, executive insight and practical tools, it sets out how public sector leaders can apply a place-based approach using levers already within their control. 

      At the center of the paper is the Blueprint for livable economies, a decision-making framework designed to help city leaders, investors and partners align outcomes, economic pathways and delivery mechanisms. 

      About the Davos Baukultur Alliance

      With more than 85 members across 140+ countries, including 28 national governments, global businesses, civil society and international organizations, the Davos Baukultur Alliance brings together public, private and civil society leaders to advance quality as the foundation for better and more livable built environments and infrastructure through collaboration, shared standards and applied practice.

      Download today

      Blueprint for livable economies: A strategic model for place-based city transformation

      This blueprint synthesizes the four strategic shifts and five levers of change into a single architecture that cities can use to design, fund, and deliver integrated outcomes.

      Livability, Economic and System-based outcomes
      Communities expect high quality public services, accessible housing, efficient transport and places that deliver long term economic value. Meeting these expectations requires a shift from traditional project-based decision making to integrated approaches that recognize the full value of place.

      Lisa Kelvey

      Global Head of Infrastructure & Transport

      KPMG International

      The blueprint organizes actions across three layers — people and place outcomes, economic outcomes and systems outcomes — supported by five cross-cutting enablers critical to creating the ecosystems necessary for achieving these outcomes.

      With an emphasis on aligning strategy with delivery, striving to improve investment decisions and helping ensure public capital delivers measurable, long-term value for places and communities, this blueprint offers a practical framework for translating ambition into implementation and supporting cities that are resilient, inclusive and competitive over the long term.

      Download the report today and contact your local KPMG member firm to find out how we can help your city activate this blueprint for livable economies.

      Blueprint for livable economies

      View the full blueprint

      Explore the practical steps to delivering livable economies

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