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Summary For green urbanization in Asia and Pacific, a discussion event will be held on Aug 21 in Japan.
According to the ADB rapid economic development in the developing countries of Asia and the Pacific region has lifted millions of people from extreme poverty. The Asian economic miracle is driven by the cities, and in turn drives city growth and social transformation.The poor have benefited from economic opportunities that the cities offered. But the wealth production of cities has not necessarily contributed to improved living conditions for the vast majority of Asias urban population.It is time for countries to be proactive and take far-sighted action to fully exploit the opportunities that urbanization offers.In a regional context, it has to act now to begin a concerted regional effort to help cities unleash their potential to spur economic growth and solve social problems. Developing and financing livable, competitive, socially inclusive, and environmentally attractive cities is central to Asias future prosperity and well-being.The special chapter of ADBs Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2012 examines in detail the challenges and opportunities presented by the regions breakneck urban boom.It will discuss how can Asia act decisively to pave the way for green, resource-friendly cities as well as argue the possible role that contributory factors to urban agglomeration, viz., rising educational attainments, growth of the middle class and declining birth rates can play in helping improve the environment, if properly managed.
