Call for papers - 10th Urbanization and Development Conference (CLOSED)

This year’s Urbanization and Development Conference explores how cities shape the creation and transformation of jobs, firms and growth. As technological change, demographic transitions, and structural shifts redefine the future of work, the conference invites research that deepens our understanding of how urban economies can drive economic growth. 

We are running an international call for papers to promote engagement with a diverse range of economics scholars across the world. We invite papers that examine how demographic change, technological advances, and structural transformation are reshaping urban labour markets and firm dynamics.

Key themes and areas of interest

All papers related to cities in developing economies will be considered, however key areas of interest include:

1. Structural transformation

• Dynamics of structural change across and within urban economies.
• Urban–rural linkages in job creation, including the role of secondary cities and rural diversification.
• The evolution of tradable vs. non-tradable sectors, and formal vs. informal employment.

2. Urban labour markets and the changing nature of work 

• Labour force participation, with a focus on gender and youth
• Future demand for jobs and demographic change
• How technological change, automation, and AI are reshaping urban labour markets.
• Public vs. private employment creation, including urban public works programmes.
• The rise of green jobs and environmentally sustainable economic transitions.

3. Firms, productivity and urban economic growth

• Urban firm productivity and agglomeration economies.
• Spatial distribution of firms and workers, including the urban wage premium and productivity gaps.
• The role of urban form, mobility, and spatial mismatch in shaping firm and worker outcomes, and effective density more generally

Papers should focus on developing countries or provide insights from historical progress in developed countries. While we are primarily interested in economics research, we welcome papers from other social science fields with a strong quantitative background or mixed methods approach.

Young Urban Economist Workshop

As part of the call for papers, certain young scholars will be chosen to partake in the Young Urban Economist Workshop and will receive feedback on their papers from senior faculty. These scholars will be eligible to receive funding for travel and accommodation. The application will happen automatically, so please submit as normal.

Deadline and additional information

This call is now closed. 

Submission acceptance will be communicated by 9 January 2026.

Please note: There is no funding available for conference presenters, unless you are selected for the Young Urban Economist workshop. The IGC, the World Bank and its partners are also not able to sponsor visas for this conference.

Please check the World Bank website for the latest programme and information about the conference. 

 

Inquiries contact:

[email protected]