Urban Development and Urbanisation in the Greater Mekong Subregion

With Southeast Asia’s urbanization rate increasing from 42% in 2010 to 65% in 2050, the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) will undergo inevitable urbanization, experiencing vast transformations in its economies and international transport connectivity.
Some of the most important trends include (i) accelerated growth of small and medium towns and (ii) the rise of urban centers that serve as hosts for economic development. According to Asia 2050, a flagship study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), most economic growth will be urban. By 2050, the GMS is expected to be at least 50% urbanized. Careful planning is needed to balance growth—preferably green growth—with inclusiveness to avoid the ills and negative impacts of urbanization. We can achieve this through national urban strategies, which provide road maps and orientations to urban development, ultimately leading to a need for a GMS urban development strategy.