About the Conference Organizer

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. USAID’s programs in the Philippines focus on accelerating and sustaining inclusive economic growth through Partnership for Growth (PFG) activities in the areas of governance, economic growth, health and education, and environmental resilience.

USAID’s Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project is an activity of the Cities Development Initiative (CDI) under the PFG, which aims to foster the development of conditions for broad-based, inclusive and resilient economic growth in secondary cities. USAID supports CDI partner cities of Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran and Zamboanga to promote more balanced and resilient urban growth, reduce economic disparities and improve socio‐economic conditions.

The Conference is managed by Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), an international capacity-building NGO headquartered in the Philippines with regional offices in Vietnam, Cambodia and India. Since 2003, ASSIST Asia has implemented over 150 projects focused on Sustainable Industry & Economy, Education & Skills Development, and Energy, Water & Environment impacting over 1 million people across 20 countries.





About the Conference

The 2016 International Conference on Urban Development: Accelerating Resilience and Inclusive Growth is the Philippines’ biggest international conference on urban development geared toward realizing the potential of emerging secondary cities. The conference aims to foster multi-disciplinary discussions, create a network of partnerships and build information that will promote public and private sector collaboration in achieving livable, safe and economically vibrant cities.

The two-day conference will gather international and local experts, business leaders, change makers from the national and local governments, representatives from donor agencies and professional organizations, as well as students of urban development who will have the opportunity to share innovative ideas.

The conference will have dynamic plenary sessions, panel discussions and workshops. It will also provide a valuable forum for building professional networks and aiding newly-elected government officials form linkages that will help realize their cities’ potential.





Highlights



International thought leaders and urban development experts


Delegates from national and local governments, industries, multilaterals, civil society and academe


Interactive streams to discover new strategies and exchange ideas




Streams



Indigenous innovations, technology


Environment, green spaces


Climate change and disaster preparedness


Governance models


Social inclusion (poverty, food security,
resettlement, gender, basic services)


Best practices (guidebooks, references
manuals on systems processes toolkit)


Planning, connecting and
financing required infrastructure
(transport, communications, energy,
education and health)




Dimensions



Systems and processes


Methods


Toolkits


Best practices




Key Benefits



with key decision makers
in the region and beyond


cutting edge initiatives
crucial to your city’s
advancement


in discussions that address
urban development issues
that matter to your city


your skills in tackling
inclusive growth-related
concerns


your development
initiatives with effective
practical solutions to create
economically resilient cities




Who Will Attend?



International and local development
planners, practitioners and consultants


Architects, water and sanitation
engineers, landscape designers


Policy makers, national and
local government leaders


Property developers,
investment bankers


Water utilities, telecommunications
and energy concessionaires


Development partners,
donor agencies


Local leagues and
planners organizations


Policy research
institutions, academe


Civil society organizations,
advocacy groups and youth