Urbanization has long been associated with structural transformation—the shift of workers from low-productivity sectors to high-productivity ones. This shift is crucial to fostering economic growth and reducing poverty. However, the story of African cities presents a unique challenge. While urbanization is happening at an unprecedented pace across the continent, the anticipated structural transformation remains elusive.
This workshop aims to dissect the intricate relationship between urbanization and structural transformation in African cities.
This workshop strives to uncover the complexities and implications of urbanization without structural transformation in African cities. By delving into the city level, it aims to:
Day 1 of the workshop concludes with a keynote lecture by Prof. Arkebe Oqubay, former mayor of Addis Ababa. The keynote lecture will take place at the Event Square at City Hall, located at Pohjoisesplanadi 11-13, Helsinki.
*Speakers with an asterisk will be attending the conference virtually.
Thursday, 09/11/2023
| TIME | Sustainability Library | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00-09:30 | Coffee | |||
| 09:30-10:30 | Introductions and setting the stage Chair: Jo Beall | London School of Economics and University of Cape Town Speakers Diana Mitlin | University of Manchester and ACRC Sam Hickey | University of Manchester and ACRC Kunal Sen | Director, UNU-WIDER | |||
| 10:30-12:15 | City experiences – Accra, Dar es Salaam, Cape Town/Johannesburg, and Nairobi Chair: Sam Hickey | University of Manchester and ACRC Speakers Accra: Michael Danquah | UNU-WIDER Dar es Salaam: Darlene Mutalemwa | Mzumbe University | 'Dar es Salaam: Where Structural Transformation and Urbanization Collide' Cape Town/Johannesburg: Ivan Turok | Human Sciences Research Council Nairobi: Joshua Magero | ACRC | |||
| 12:15-13:30 | Lunch | |||
| 13:30-15:00 | What constrains structural transformation in African cities? Chair: Andy Hinsley | Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Speakers Remi Jedwab | George Washington University | 'Consumption Cities vs. Production Cities: New Considerations and Evidence' Seth Schindler | University of Manchester and ACRC Juliana Oliveira-Cunha | London School of Economics and International Growth Center | 'The role of path dependency and low-productivity traps in African cities' | |||
| 15:00-15:30 | Coffee | |||
| 15:30-16:00 | Walk to City Hall for keynote lecture | |||
| 16:00-17:30 | Keynote: Sustainable cities and structural transformation in Africa by Dr. Arkebe Oqubay at Helsinki City Hall Introduction by UNU-WIDER Director Kunal Sen Discussant: Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury | Deputy Director General, Africa and the Middle East, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland | |||
| 19:00 | Workshop dinner | |||
Friday, 10/11/2023
| TIME | Sustainability Library | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00-10:30 | Politics of structural transformation Chair: Mike Rogan | Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO) Speakers *Tim Kelsall | Overseas Development Institute and ACRC Kunal Sen | Director, UNU-WIDER Danielle Resnick | Brookings Institution | 'The Politics of Governing Africa's Cities' | |||
| 10:30-11:00 | Coffee | |||
| 11:00-12:30 | Pathways to structural transformation Chair: Michael Danquah | UNU-WIDER Speakers Mike Rogan | Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO) | 'Structural Transformation and Informal Self-Employment in Sub-Saharan African Cities' *Philipp Heinrigs | OECD | 'The Economic Performance of Africa’s Cities' Oliver Harman | International Growth Centre | 'Upgrading as a Pathway to Structural Transformation' | |||
| 12:30-13:30 | Lunch | |||
| 13:30-14:30 | Zero carbon pathways and structural transformation Chair: Rachel Gisselquist | UNU-WIDER Speakers Osman Ouattara | University of Manchester | 'Decarbonization and Structural Change in African Cities' Diana Mitlin | University of Manchester and ACRC | |||
| 14:30-15:00 | Wrapping up Chair: Kunal Sen | Director, UNU-WIDER | |||
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