Urban economics has provided powerful insights into how the character of cities influences the trajectory of growth. This is a vital issue in South Africa, given our past, yet urban issues are mostly studied by experts located outside departments of economics.

CDE in collaboration with Economics Research South Africa (ERSA), is hosting a closed workshop, where we will reflect on what urban economics can teach us about cities and growth, and what policy reforms are needed to enhance the economic performance of our cities. The discussion will be led by leading researchers, both local and international, who will present findings from recently submitted working papers.

Topics to be discussed:

• The economic impact of urban crime and what to do about it.
• The effectiveness of place-based policies in the developing world, and their relevance for South Africa.
• What luminosity data can and cannot reveal about SA’s urban economies.
• The real growth potential of SA’s cities
• A survey of what existing data sources reveal about urban activities in South Africa.

This workshop is by invitation only.