ABSTRACT
This chapter reflects on the BRICS’ experience to determine whether a more positive approach to urbanisation, more mindful of economic fundamentals and more accommodating of low-income populations, could support more economically dynamic and socially inclusive development. The answer is a qualified yes. The clearest economic successes have come when urbanisation has been purposefully and efficiently used to achieve economic goals. However, some extremely damaging social problems have emerged from exclusionary measures in urban centres that have exacerbated and institutionalised inequalities, typically without any sound economic justification. The conclusion therefore is not that all urbanisation is good, but that strategies to achieve economic prosperity and social inclusion need to make more use of urbanisation and of inclusive urban policies. The same may apply to other developmental goals, such as environmental sustainability, though that debate is beyond the scope of this book. China’s reform era provides the clearest example of how urbanisation can be used to pursue economic growth and development. While few other countries would be capable or desirous of imitating China’s approach, many can learn from China’s experimental and incremental approach to creating more prosperous cities, with its heavy reliance on both planning and markets. It is also possible to learn from the experiences of Brazil and South Africa, many of whose economic successes have also been associated with urbanisation. In light of this, the ambivalence of India’s planners towards urbanisation is somewhat worrying. On the other hand, as the example of Russia illustrates, there are key aspects of urbanisation that are very difficult to plan for efficiently, and it is important to recognise the roles that both markets and civil society can play in creating economically dynamic cities.
