9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Attendees Will Be Required to Bring Their Own Laptops
Limited space available
Brief Description of Topic:
As the global agricultural and applied economics community confronts the multifaceted challenges of sustainable development, fostering knowledge exchange on rural transformation strategies has become increasingly critical. This workshop has the potential to deepen understanding, catalyze comparative analysis, and inform policy frameworks for sustainable development in the world’s most vulnerable regions.
Small-scale urbanization-a process that facilitates urban growth in peripheral or rural areas—has been a cornerstone of rural development strategies in both the United States and China. In the U.S., historical models of decentralized industrial growth have fostered regional economic resilience, while recent developments in rural entrepreneurship and agri-tech innovation offer valuable insights into adaptive strategies for marginalized communities. In China, targeted urbanization policies such as the “township enterprise model” as well as the rural revitalization policy initiative have catalyzed rural-urban integration, improving livelihoods while mitigating the socioeconomic disparities characteristic of rapid urbanization. Together, these case studies illuminate the nuanced roles that small urban hubs can play in fostering rural growth, resource optimization, and socioeconomic stability.
Relevance to AAEA Members/Meeting Attendees:
By focusing on these experiences, the workshop would provide participants with a robust comparative framework for understanding small-scale urbanization’s potential as a rural development pathway. The insights gleaned from these diverse contexts can be applied to the Global South, where many nations grapple with urban-rural imbalances, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation.
Intended Audience:
The workshop targets a diverse audience engaged in rural development, small-scale urbanization, and sustainable growth. Key participants include academics and researchers in agricultural economics, urban planning, and sustainable development; policymakers and government officials focused on rural revitalization and economic equity; and development practitioners and NGOs working on poverty alleviation and community development. Industry professionals, including entrepreneurs in agri-tech and rural innovation, as well as private sector investors, will find valuable insights. Graduate students and early-career professionals can benefit from exposure to interdisciplinary research and practical applications. The workshop also appeals to international collaborators from the Global South and experts in governance, technology adoption, and climate resilience.
