Workshop: Financing Choices and Impact on the Future of Cities

Thursday, May 22, 2007
9:00am-12:30pm

Cities are the centers of innovation and growth everwhere and almost universally determine the economic destiny of nations and the quality of well-being of a large section of their citizens. But what determines the life and death of cities. The answer suprisingly lies in the financing choices they make in providing local services.

This seminar drew upon historical experience of the US cities showed that local choices in financing of public services largely determined the rise and fall of American cities. The seminar further drew upon lessons from US experience for cities in developing countries.

Opening Remarks and Chaired by:
Patricia Annez, Urban Adviser, World Bank

Financing Choices by US Cities and their Impact on Local Economic Development
Robert P. Inman, Vice Dean and Director WH Doctoral Program, University of Pennsylvania
Presentation

Lessons for Developing Countries
Discussant: Anwar Shah, Program Leader Public Sector Governance, World Bank

Measuring Competitiveness: Experience of US States
Robert D. Ebel, Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Chief Economist, District of Columbia Government
Presentation