“the urbanization challenge confronting Asian cities is unprecedented. At projected rates of growth, Asian cities must be ready to collectively accomodate an expected 1.1 billion additional urban residents over the next 20 years.” (CDIA)

In this context the question arises how to deal with this large scale urbanization & massive population growth in a sustainable way?

In a lively, open spaced discussion we will share thoughts with Emiel Wegelin, program coordinator at the Cities Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA).

More specific subquestions dealt with in the discussion are:
- What problems can be expected in which cities?
- How to mitigate the effects? What prevention measures have been taken? (or should be taken, but haven’t been?)
- What are the actors in mitigating urbanization effects? i.e. local governments in cooperation with whom?

- What is the role of the CDIA and how does CDIA succeed in fulfilling its goals?
- Similarities / differences between countries? Can one city learn from another? In how far can one compare cities and countries?
- How does the situation in the far east affect ‘us’ (= ‘the West’ / Europe)? What is the ‘relevance’ of the problems to e.g. Europe?

From more information about the Cities Development Initiative for Asia, view http://cdia.asia/