Asia: Urban Spaces, the Local Environment and Global Sustainability

This event is co-sponsored with the USAID Alumni Association

Urbanization and industrialization are significant trends closely associated with one another and, consequently, with the larger development enterprise. Intrinsic to these trends are risks to both the environment and sustainability--more concretely, to human health and long-term ecological balance.

Rapid urbanization, industrial growth and environmental stress are converging forcefully in Asia.  Yet the response to this challenge has been fractured.  Indeed, two apparently opposing viewpoints are emerging as public policy and action, one from the region focused on near-term, local interests and impacts, another emerging internationally focused on longer-term, global concerns and consequences.

A panel of experts will examine the relationship between industrial and urban environmental threats as well as their impact on local and global interests. Discussion will explore different constituencies, perspectives and narratives in the environmental dialogue.  What can be done?  What should we target? Are these agendas best addressed separately, or together?  What has been successful and what has failed? And what appears to be the most promising ideas and approaches for ensuring environmental progress locally, while at the same time working toward sustainability at a global scale?

Please rsvp to cusp@wilsoncenter.org; acceptances only, indicating "July 29" in the subject line