VoxDev Development Economics

As cities grow and spread, the uses to which land is put, and the value of that land, will also change. The challenges of urban planning, construction and renewal are complicated. But the way we address those challenges has profound impacts for the people who live, and will live, in that physical city. Vernon Henderson and Maisy Wong of University of Pennsylvania explain to Tim Phillips how cities adapt, change and grow – and how that affects the lives and prospects of the people who live in them.

Tavneet Suri, a Professor at MIT and co-chair of J-PAL's agricultural sector, discusses the urgent need to strengthen small-scale farmers' resilience against climate change. She highlights effective interventions like the use of drought-resistant seeds and the importance of timely weather forecasting. Suri also delves into how graduation programs can enhance farmers' adaptability and the necessity for income diversification in rural Africa. The conversation reveals intriguing insights into policies and technologies that can help these communities thrive despite extreme weather challenges.

Catherine Wolfram, an MIT economics professor and former climate policy advisor, joins Yale's Rohini Pande, an expert on carbon markets, and Namrata Kala, focused on adaptation strategies. They delve into how to finance climate adaptation, particularly in low-income countries. The conversation highlights innovative financial solutions, challenges with current funding systems, and the pivotal role of carbon pricing. The trio also discusses the upcoming COP29 summit, emphasizing the urgency for effective climate finance mechanisms.

In this engaging discussion, Ed Glaeser, a Harvard economist focusing on urban dynamics, and Diego Puga, an expert on regional economics, explore the vibrant role cities play in economic development. They highlight how urban areas attract talent and adapt to new populations. The duo emphasizes the need for research on urban growth in developing countries, addressing challenges like over-regulation, gender disparities, and the balance between economic opportunities and potential poverty traps. Their insights are a call to rethink urbanization strategies for a post-COVID world.

Michael Callen, an economist at the London School of Economics, focuses on institutional change, while Jonathan Weigel from UC Berkeley specializes in experimental research. They discuss how rigorous experimental methods can illuminate the connection between institutions and economic growth. The conversation highlights the challenges of running experiments in varying contexts, using case studies like Congo's tax collection to showcase civic engagement. They also explore the role of mobile technology in enhancing institutional policy across different countries.

Will Masters, a Professor at Tufts University and co-author of the open-access textbook "Food Economics," discusses the intricate links between food systems and economics. He sheds light on the challenges faced by farmers and consumers in the global food supply chain. The conversation delves into the impact of open access resources on education, the economic struggles of family farms versus agribusiness, and the vital role of insurance in alleviating poverty. Masters also emphasizes the importance of integrating science into food policy for sustainable development.

David Atkin, a Professor at MIT and co-chair of J-PAL's firms sector, dives into the vital role of small businesses in low and middle-income countries. He discusses how unlocking market access can fuel their growth and employment potential. The conversation highlights productivity disparities and challenges faced by SMEs. Atkin explains the transformative impact of digital platforms on connecting these firms with global buyers, while addressing how market access policies can improve labor standards and enhance firm success.

Noam Angrist, an author affiliated with the What Works Hub for Global Education and the University of Oxford, dives deep into the education policy landscape. He discusses the troubling gap between policy intentions and educational realities, especially in low and middle-income countries. Angrist highlights how growing school attendance has not equated to improved learning outcomes. He emphasizes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education and advocates for better execution strategies in education policy to truly serve students' needs.

Christopher Adam, an expert advisor on African economic policy, shares insights on the tumultuous impacts of global crises like COVID-19 and the Ukraine war on sub-Saharan Africa. He discusses the unique challenges that policymakers face amidst these compounded shocks, highlighting how the region's historical vulnerabilities are exacerbated. Adam emphasizes the need for domestic reforms and international cooperation to boost economic resilience and navigate future challenges, making a case for renewed financial support critical for recovery.

Dev Patel of Harvard describes Bangladesh as “ground zero for the harmful effects of climate change”. Extreme weather events, particularly floods, are already affecting the lives of millions of people who live there and are making life more difficult for the country’s farmers. He tells Tim Phillips how he harnessed machine learning to create for the first time reliable global data on flooding – and also used his methods to find a way to give Bangladesh’s beleaguered farmers better data on what crops to grow. Check out the full show notes on VoxDev: https://voxdev.org/topic/energy-environment/how-do-floods-impact-economic-development