Intermediary cities serve as territorial “bridges” complementing larger cities while supporting surrounding rural areas. Half of all EU residents living outside major urban centres reside in or near an intermediary city, and half of OECD cities are intermediary cities – yet these are often overlooked in urban and regional policy debates. This new report represents one of the first international efforts to develop a shared understanding of intermediary cities and the functions they perform within broader territorial systems.
It includes a pilot policy toolkit to help intermediary cities thrive.
Read the full article Here.
- Publication date
- 26 June 2026
- Author
- Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy
- Policy Area
- Connected and accessible cities
- Fair and healthy cities
- Prosperous and creative cities
- Safe and engaged cities
- Step
- Learn