AASSA-NASSL Regional Workshop on MANAGING URBANIZATION IN ASIA

Background:
The current urbanization pattern is recognized as being unprecedented in human history. The urban share of the global population could reach 60 per cent by 2030. A significant growth is expected to come from the Lower and Middle Income Countries (LMIC); thus urbanization and its consequences are most prominently manifest in the LMICs. It is now recognised that unplanned urbanization is among the ten most serious global concerns. Asia is among the most populous and where problems of urbanization are most acute.

Objectives and outcomes of workshop:
The workshop will attempt to examine the status of urbanization in Asian countries, and, to prepare a resume of major problems and their policy implications. This is being attempted so as to increase the possibilities of regional and/or sub-regional collaboration to mitigate any adverse impacts of urbanization. For this purpose, authors will be expected to give consideration in their papers to at least the following basic questions as they apply in their respective countries:

1) How does the urbanization process happen? Does it happen due mainly to an urban ‘pull’ factor or a rural ‘push’?
2) Is urbanization directed to a particular city or to several urban areas?
3) Do some aspects of national policy wittingly or unwittingly encourage urbanization?
4) Do you see urbanization in the form it takes as beneficial or detrimental? and,
5) What theories or strategies are commonly used to deal with urbanization? Are these relevant or not in your view and if not, why?
The authors may focus their papers on any particular sub-theme of their choice that relates to the process of urbanization as observable in their respective countries. The sub-themes are:
a) Current Status of Urbanization and industrialization – Issues and Opportunities;
b) The impact of urbanization on the rural sector; and,
c) Policies and Strategies for dealing with the adversities of urbanization.
You are welcome to suggest your own sub-theme, but please do communicate with Dr Locana Gunaratna before proceeding to prepare the Abstract.

Call for Abstracts:
Researchers, planners and policy makers interested in participating in the International Workshop are invited to submit a brief CV (indicating expertise and interest in the subject) and a one-page abstract in word format (about 200 – 250 words) of their papers on any of the above themes. The Abstract should include the following:

• A brief introduction
• Problem statement
• Current situation/research findings/solutions
• Recommendations/concluding remarks

Abstracts should be sent to Dr Locana Gunaratna <locanagunaratna@gmail.com> by the date indicated below. Please copy mail to <nassl@sltnet.lk>.

Important Dates:

Financial Support:
AASSA will provide need-based partial international travel flight up to USD 600 (economy class most direct route) to a limited number of participants whose abstracts have been accepted. In addition, the local expenses (accommodation, meals) up to three nights will be also be covered by the host country. The inquiries of travel grants and local expenses can be requested through the endorsement from the Academies. We also welcome anyone who wish to participate in this workshop on their own expenses/sponsorship.

Advisory Committee:
An Advisory Committee has been set up to review the Abstracts and provide technical support.

Inquiries:

• The National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka <nassl@sltnet.lk>
• Dr Locana Gunaratna (Workshop Lead) <locanagunaratna@gmail.com>
• Dr Ranjith Mahindapala (President, NASSL) <ranjith_mahindapala@hotmail.com>

Organisers:
The Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia (AASSA) was established in 2012 through the merger of the Association of Sciences in Asia (AASA) and the Federation of Asian Scientific Academies and Societies (FASAS) to promote solidarity and cooperation among the scientific and technological academies in Asia and Oceania and to play a central role in cooperative efforts for further developing the region through science and technology. AASSA currently has 33 member academies representing 30 countries. AASSA Special Committee on SHARE Communication is an initiative of AASSA to promote communication in Science, Health, Agriculture, Risk, and Environment (SHARE) in member countries through academies which came into being in 2015.
The National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka (NASSL) is a non-governmental body of eminent scientists that provides independent advice on policy matters to the Government and the public in general on all scientific and technological matters of national importance. It was established in 1976 and incorporated by an Act of Parliament in 1988. NASSL is a member of the Inter Academy Panel (IAP, the global network of science academies), the Inter Academy Medical Panel (IAMP), the Association of Academies and Societies of Science in Asia (AASSA) and the Science Council of Asia (SCA).