Urban Asia: Financing Livable Cities

02 May 2013 (10:45 am-12:15 pm, Hall 8, Room 1)

Cities are steadily accounting for a growing share of Asia's output and population. In Asia and the Pacific, the latter is expected to grow from 1.9 billion to 3.3 billion by 2050. Forty four million people are added to Asia's city population every year. Cities in many countries of the region generate around 80% of GDP but also consume 75% of the energy and discharge 75% of greenhouse gases. The growth of cities and the rapid increase of new ones should imply improvements in the quality of life and better economic opportunities for their citizens. In many ways, Asia's success in better management of its cities and developing competitive, inclusive, and green cities will hold the key for continued and shared prosperity in Asia.

Decentralization has generally moved forward, transferring more responsibility to local governments, although not always with adequate human and fiscal means. What's needed to strengthen the crucial role of city authorities for attracting finance? Which supporting programs and modalities are available for financing livable cities? What are examples and best practices in Asia and the Pacific for innovative urban financing?

Senior policy makers will discuss urban challenges and solutions for building long-term resilience strategies and securing investments for financing sustainable urban infrastructure.

  • How can cities tap own-source revenues and raise money from higher levels of governments?
  • What makes urban infrastructure attractive for private investors and how do they evaluate opportunities?
  • What should governments do to attract such private investments?

This seminar will provide perspectives from leading experts on these important issues.

Opening Remarks:

Takehiko Nakao
President, ADB

Panelists:

Isher Judge Ahluwalia
Chairperson of Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER)

Hiroto Arakawa
Vice President, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Frank Kwok
Senior Managing Director, Macquarie Group
Co-Head of Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA), Asia.

Jacques Moineville
Associate Chief Executive Officer, Agence française de développement (AFD)

Enrique García Rodríguez
President and CEO of CAF

Nobuya Suzuki
Deputy Mayor, City of Yokohama

Moderator: Victor Mallet
Financial Times

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