ERSA is organising a two-day conference for academics, policymakers, city planners/managers and experts from around the world to discuss the impact that cities (small, medium or large) can have in support of growth and development as well as the challenges they face in reaching their potential.

Our goal is to host 50 participants from South Africa, the continent and other parts of the globe. Participation from early career researchers with an interest in urban and/or regional economics, as well as development, is encouraged.

The conference will include keynote addresses, panel discussions and sessions presenting selected research/policy papers, including cities research commissioned by ERSA towards the end of 2023.

Topics of Interest

Towards the end of 2023, ERSA called for cities-focused economic research to encourage researchers to extend ideas and questions that arose out of ERSA Discussion Documents 9-13. Please see the related discussion document publications and 2023 call for proposals below.

In addition to this research project, ERSA invites submissions of non-commissioned economic research papers (academic or policy-focused) for the conference that offer insight into cities, their inhabitants, their prospects and related topics.

Paper Submission Details

For those interested in presenting their research or policy analysis, we invite you to submit a working paper.

If you are interested in attending but do not have a relevant working paper, we will consider supporting attendance for some early career researchers. Please submit a letter of interest and a separate letter of recommendation by either a supervisor or line manager by the submission deadline to the local organiser.

Authors of successful papers will be notified by 1 September 2024.