Cities are where people and resources are concentrated. Frequent and productive interaction among people generates ideas and opportunities for businesses, leading to an emergence of firms and industries. Population density in cities can make infrastructure and service provision efficient; this lowers the cost of production while enabling better matching between workers and firms. Through competition and innovation, the urban economy deepens industrial specialization and contributes towards moving the national economy from low to higher productivity sectors. This is how cities become the economic engine or powerhouse of a country.
Yet, many cities in developing countries struggle to unlock their economic potential. Nor are the gains of urbanization equally shared among urban residents. Inefficiencies in the institutional and regulatory environment increase the transaction cost of doing business. Infrastructure and services are often insufficient, hampering the productivity of both residents and businesses. Historical and political challenges with regards to land management lead to dysfunctional land markets. Underlying these issues are weak local governance and inadequate capacities, including education, skills, and overall human capital constraints
The Open Day live streaming of our TDD was held from May 24 to May 25, 2022. We explored the themes of “Promoting Competitive Cities” and “Supporting Jobs and Livelihoods of the Poor and Informal Workers.”
Date/Time: 8:00 pm–9:30 pm (JST), Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Programs
Thematic Session 1: Mayor’s Wedge for Competitive Cities
This session will introduce a competitive cities framework to guide city governments in creating environments for local economic development and job creation. It will include lessons learned from the World Bank’s experience of applying this approach in supporting cities.
Speaker/Moderator
Dmitry SIVAEV
Urban Specialist, World Bank
Dean CIRA
Lead Urban Specialist, World Bank
Japan Case Study 1: Kobe’s Experience in Developing Biomedical Innovation Center
This session will introduce key lessons and takeaways from Kobe City’s experience in developing the biomedical innovation cluster and how the city was able to build back better after the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995.
Speaker/Moderator
Masayuki FUJIWARA
Director General, Biomedical Innovation Cluster and Business Promotion Headquarters, Kobe City Government
Haruka MIKI-IMOTO
Operations Officer, World Bank
Thematic Presentation 2: Job Creation Programs – An On-The-Ground Perspective
This session will provide an overview of program design options related job creation programs. It will touch upon the barriers and opportunities in systematic change that can further promote local economic development.
Speaker/Moderator
Jeff RUSTER
Director Strategic Partnerships, City of San Jose California
Dean CIRA
Lead Urban Specialist, World Bank
*In no particular order. Speakers/Moderators are subject to change.
Date/Time: 8:00 pm–9:10 pm (JST), Wednesday, May 25, 2022
Programs
Japan Case 2: From Safety Nets to Trampolines – A Comprehensive Approach to Inclusive Development
This session explores the national and sub-national policies and initiatives in Japan to address the issues of homelessness and urban poverty. It touches upon various societal dimensions, including the elderly, disabled, childcare and the need for social enterprises.
Speaker/Moderator
Yasushi AOYAMA
Emeritus Professor of Meiji University and former Vice Governor of Tokyo
Maitreyi DAS
Practice Manager, Global Practice of Urban, Resilience and Land, World Bank
Thematic Presentation 4: Working with Informal Workers
This session discusses how cities can recognize, protect, and support informal workers such as home-based workers, street vendors and waste pickers.
Speakers/Moderator
Martha CHEN
Senior Advisor, Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WEIGO)
Shalini SINHA
India Country Representative, Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WEIGO)
Maitreyi DAS
Practice Manager, Global Practice of Urban, Resilience and Land, World Bank
*In no particular order. Speakers/Moderators are subject to change.
