2025/01/09      Author: HDD

Urbanization in Asia is one of the most dynamic and complex social transformations of the global era. As key players in the region, China and Bangladesh demonstrate both distinct paths and shared connections in their urbanization processes, reflecting the broader trends of East Asia and South Asia. China is characterized by national-level planning, extensive infrastructure development, and industrial restructuring to facilitate orderly urban migration. Conversely, Bangladesh, influenced by its colonial history, relies more heavily on informal economies, with urbanization proceeding in a more fragmented manner and lacking robust regional development gradients.

The comparison between China and Bangladesh not only contrasts urbanization in South and East Asia but also complements and enriches global discussions that often focus on European urbanization paradigms. Asia’s urbanization is unique, driven by the rise of manufacturing and deep connections to local resources, but it also faces shared challenges such as environmental constraints, economic transitions, and population ageing. The event aims to inject a more diverse Asian perspective into global urbanization discourse and foster mutual learning among Asian nations.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Bangladesh in 2025, the Urban Bangladesh Institution (UBI) is hosting "Assemble and Collaborate—A Comparative Talk of Urbanization in China and Bangladesh."This webinar will explore how comparing the urbanization paths of these two nations can help address regional differences and foster diverse collaborations for shaping Asia's urban future.

The webinar is open to the public, and we encourage participants to follow the guidelines provided below.

Opening Remarks

· Representative of Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh

· Overseas Representative Office of Yunnan Commerce

Keynote Speakers

· Major General Iftekhar Anis, Director General, Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS)

· Prof James J Wang, Research Director, Belt & Road Hong Kong Centre and Greater Bay Area Hong Kong Center, Former Chair of the Department of Geography, The University of Hong Kong

Topic: Transport and Urban Villages: Two Tough Challenges in High-Density Chinese Cities

· Professor Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Department of Development Studies University of Dhaka, Director, Board of Director Bangladesh Bank

Topic: Planning in Complexities: the Knowns and the Unknowns

· Associate Professor Xiao Chaowei, National Academy of Development and Strategy , Renmin University of China

Topic: Population and Economic Change Classification and Influencing Factors of Cities Along the Belt and Road Initiative from a Growth-Shrinkage Matrix Perspective

· Professor Dr. Md. Mafizur Rahman, Department of Civil Engineering Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)

· Professor Yang Yi, Dean, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Kunming University of Science and Technology

Attending Guests

· Professor Xian LIU, college of civil engineering, Tongji University

· Associate Professor Wang Liqin, School of Political Science & International Relations, Tongji University

· Assistant Dean Lei Wen, Kunming University of Science and Technology

· Lecturer Yu Ling, Environmental Design Program, School of Art, Yunnan Normal University

· Lecturer Yang Yunzhao, Environmental Design Program, School of Art, Yunnan Normal University

· Representative of the Yunnan Foreign Affairs Office

Moderator

Muhammad Hussain Bhuyan (Salim) , Secretary General of the Urban Bangladesh Institution, General Secretary of the China-Bangladesh Friendship Association

Event Details

· Schedule: January 13 , 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM（Beijing Time）

· Format: Webinar (via Tencent Meeting)

· Registration Methods: Scan the following QR code via WECHAT,  and receive the meeting link

Theme: Assemble and Collaborate—A Comparative Talk of Urbanization in China and Bangladesh

Advisory Unit: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Embassy of the People's Republic of Bangladesh in China, Yunnan Foreign Affairs Office

Organizers: Urban Bangladesh Institution (UBI), Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), Urban China magazine

Co-Organizers: College of civil engineering Tongji University, University of Dhaka, School of Architecture and Urban Planning Kunming University of Science and Technology, Department of Civil Engineering Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Shanghai HuaDu Architecture & Urban Design Co., Ltd. (HDD), Urban Lab 8

Academic Curation: Gehry Guo CUI, Muhammad Hussain Bhuyan (Salim)

Implementer: Shiyi Liu