Institutional Investor (August 31)
The World Bank may finally be “ready to think big again.” The appointment of Paul Romer has those who follow the bank excited. Romer, “who has championed urbanization as a driver of emerging-market growth, wants to have a big impact at the development bank.”
Tags: Appointment, Development bank, Emerging-market growth, Impact, Romer, Urbanization, World Bank
The Economist (May 30)
Amid the global fanfare over urbanization, “another pressing urban dilemma” is being overlooked: “what to do with cities that are losing people.” Germany, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea all have shrinking cities. Before long, China will too. To avoid blight, one of the best policies is to “return the land to nature” by knocking down old structures. Urban “planners are expert at making cities work better as they grow. Keeping them healthy as they shrink is just as noble.”
Tags: Blight, China, Germany, Japan, Planners, Shrinking cities, South Korea, Structures, U.S., Urbanization
The Economist (January 26)
China has reached a major turning point. The number of working-age Chinese fell by a total of 3.45 million in 2012. “The mobilisation of Chinese labour over the past 35 years has shaken the world. Never before has the global economy benefited from such an addition of extra human exertion. Now the additions are over.” With the 15 – 24 year old population expected to decrease by 21% over the next decade, “the shrinking of the working-age population will put downward pressure on the saving rate and upward pressure on wages.” Urbanization and productivity enhancements may lessen the blow, if underutilized workers from the countryside take up more efficient positions in cities.
Tags: China, Economy, Labor pool, Population, Savings, Urbanization, Wages, Working age population
Time (July 9)
For the first time in nearly a century, “densely packed urban areas grew faster than suburbs.” If the trend continues, Time suggests “it could be good news for the environment, reducing the time commuters spend in gas-guzzling cars going to and from their jobs in the city.” It might “also be good for America’s social ecology.” Suburbanization has largely isolated the rich from the poor. Urbanization could lead to more mixing, stronger relationships and greater empathy as social and ethnic classes converge more frequently.
For the first time in nearly a century, “densely packed urban areas grew faster than suburbs.” If the trend continues, Time suggests “it could be good news for the environment, reducing the time commuters spend in gas-guzzling cars going to and from their jobs in the city.” It might “also be good for America’s social ecology.” Suburbanization has largely isolated the rich from the poor. Urbanization could lead to more mixing, stronger relationships and greater empathy as social and ethnic classes converge more frequently.
Tags: Empathy, Environment, Ethnic, Social, Suburbanization, U.S., Urbanization
Forbes (January 17, 2012)
Will China’s landing be soft or hard? Several factors “help offset weakness and support the ‘soft landing’ thesis.” Urbanization is one such factor, as it helps boost retail sales. In 2011, “China’s urban population surpassed its rural population” with 51.3% living in cities. “Combine more city dwellers with rising incomes and you get the beginnings of the coveted transition from a purely export-based economy into a dynamic domestic/international machine.”
Tags: China, Economy, Export-based, Retail, Soft landing, Urbanization
Time (May 2)
Urbanization is transforming the global economy and lifting millions out of poverty. A study from the McKinsey Global Institute shows that 20% of the world’s population resides in 600 urban centers, which “account for some 60% of worldwide GDP.” McKinsey believes the mix of urban areas will change dramatically by 2025. Emerging cities, and especially those in China, must be a focus for businesses that want to succeed globally. By 2025, 21 of the 25 top growth cities are forecast to be in the developing world, flanked by Tokyo, New York, London and Los Angeles from the developed world.
Urbanization is transforming the global economy and lifting millions out of poverty. A study from the McKinsey Global Institute shows that 20% of the world’s population resides in 600 urban centers, which “account for some 60% of worldwide GDP.” McKinsey believes the mix of urban areas will change dramatically by 2025. Emerging cities, and especially those in China, must be a focus for businesses that want to succeed globally. By 2025, 21 of the 25 top growth cities are forecast to be in the developing world, flanked by Tokyo, New York, London and Los Angeles from the developed world.
