Conference on Urban Development and Economics in the Developing World

Background

The conference is organized by ADB's Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department, in partnership with the Shanghai Institute of National Economy of Shanghai Jiaotong University and Institute of World Economy of Fudan University. Please see the Call for Papers for more details.

Objectives

Cities have played a significant role in driving economic development and offering better lives across the developed world. Many developing countries are poised to experience a dramatic increase in urbanization over the next few decades, bringing with it important opportunities as well as significant challenges. Harnessing the potential of urbanization to contribute to economic development is critical and raises questions of fundamental policy importance. How can cities be made more productive and efficient? How can the quality of city life be improved? These questions are crucial to the developing countries and can be answered when evidence-based research meets policy-making needs. ADB is organizing the conference to promote the exchange of new research and ideas among researchers, policy makers, and development practitioners on these topics and questions.

Target participants

Interested authors should submit a draft paper or a two-page proposal on the relevant topics (see Call for Papers for details) by 28 February 2018. Papers and proposals will be selected in terms of originality, analytical rigor, and policy relevance. Authors of accepted papers and proposals will be contacted by 15 April 2018.

Resource speakers

Confirmed keynote speakers at the conference include Gilles Duranton (University of Pennsylvania); and Loren Brandt, (University of Toronto). Local government officials may be invited to speak on policy issues.

How to register

By invitation.

Costs

ADB will cover registration, flight, and hotel costs for one presenter of every accepted paper.

Event organizers/partners

Shanghai Institute of National Economy of Shanghai Jiaotong University and Institute of World Economy of Fudan University.