Urbanization in Southeast Asia: Issues and Impacts

Urbanization occurs in tandem with development. Countries in Southeast Asia need to build — individually and collectively — the capacity of their cities and towns to promote economic growth and development, to make urban development more sustainable, to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and to ensure that all groups in society share in the development. This book is a result of a series of regional discussions by experts and practitioners involved in the urban development and planning of their countries. It highlights urbanization issues that have implications for regional — including ASEAN — cooperation, and provides practical recommendations for policymakers. It is a first step towards assisting governments in the region to take advantage of existing collaborative partnerships to address the urban transformation that Southeast Asia is experiencing today.

“Urbanization in Southeast Asia: Issues and Impacts is a landmark study on the increasingly urbanized condition of Southeast Asia. It is important because it presents a powerful argument for the role of regional action in developing policy and practical responses to the challenges of urbanization. Thus it offers important lessons for other parts of the world. This study, written by expert authors from within the region, outlines the challenges of urban sustainability, liveability and economic growth that Southeast Asia faces in the 21st century. Thus it provides a valuable roadmap for all concerned with the future of urbanization in Southeast Asia.”

—Professor Terry McGee
Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada