The conference is organized by ADB 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.
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.