OECD
World
Forum
onon
Key
Indicators
OECD
World
Forum
Key
Indicators
Statistics,
Statistics,Knowledge
Knowledgeand
andPolicy
Policy
Palermo,
10-13
November
2004
Palermo,
10-13
November
2004
OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004
1
Using quality of life indicators to
inform policy and planning
A New Zealand Example
Leigh Gatt
Gatt Consulting Ltd
OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004
2
Context
• Eight largest cities in NZ
• 46% of NZ population
• 60% of economic wealth
• Key drivers for
measurement
North Shore
Waitakere
Auckland Manukau
Hamilton
Wellington
Christchurch
• Urbanisation and growth
• Public sector reform
Dunedin
• Legislation
OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004
3
Quality of Life project
• Social, economic and environmental conditions
• Based on issues affecting cities
Housing, health, knowledge & skills, safety, civil
& political rights, built environment, natural
environment, economic standard of living,
economic development, social connectedness
• 56 indicators to report on these issues
• Purpose:
Policy advocacy to central government
Policy and planning input for the eight cities
OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004
4
Development process
• Purpose and principles developed to guide the
overall project
• Issue-based approach used
• Mostly normative and direct indicators
• Methods included:
Stock-take of indicators of all 8 cities
Peer review and criteria to select indicator set
Analysis:
• Disaggregation of issue by locality, sex, ethnicity, age
• Commentary on linked factors
OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004
5
Choices in frameworks and methods
• Focused on identifying new goals post analysis
• Sector-based too narrow & PSR too complex
• Little use of composite and weighted indicators
or indices
• Analysis - linked sets of factors rather than direct
cause-and-effect
• Data constraints restricted indicator choices and
analysis
OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004
6
Inputs to policy and planning
• Points for action
Waste management, air/water quality, biodiversity
Alternatives to private motor vehicle
Employment skills
Child safety and youth offending
Immigration policy and settlement
Population based health issues
Transport and technology
Community engagement in decision-making
Collective approach to monitoring
OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004
7
Benefits
• Prioritized points for action adopted for policy
programme of city mayors:
Transport alternatives, waste, economic
development and sustainable employment,
community safety, settlement support
• Joined up thinking and collaboration
• Across sector-across government links
• Focus on urban issues and sustainability
• Local authority planning
• Strategic alliances for future surveys and data
OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004
8
Critical success factors
• Development process is as important as
the indicators and use of results
• Peer review by data providers and users
• Collaborative approach and sponsorship
by city council chief executives
• Participation by elected representatives of
the eight city councils
• Ownership by city mayors
OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004
9
Has it made a difference?
• Not evaluation so no direct links to
outcomes
• Raised the issues and advocated for
change - ongoing
• Reliant on policy-makers to use indicators
to:
Plan – using indicators to determine gaps
Prioritize – using research based on indicators
Measure – using indicators to assess change
OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004
10
Conclusions
•
•
•
•
Provided information for decision-makers
Mechanisms and channels to raise issues
Ongoing advocacy for change
Indicators are not the success factor –
they are the tools
• Aim for integration into the processes of
urban governance
OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004
11