Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science - Call for Papers on "Assessment of small-town development for inclusive, higher, and sustainable economic growth"
Urbanization is a necessary component of economic growth. However, to maximize its benefits, urban management is crucial. In industrialized nations, urban expansion is polycentric and less concentrated, which is helpful in this regard. According to data from the 2018 Revision of World Urbanization Prospects, of the 30 major urban agglomerations, India is home to four while Europe has one. Compared to 25% in India and 20% globally, just 9% of the European population reside in cities with a population of over 5 million. Indian urbanization is mainly concentrated in and around the large cities: 47 million-plus cities in India accommodated about 40% of the total urban population in 2011. Because of this, the dominance of large cities in developing nations has baselessly neglected a significant number of small towns, which are crucial for reducing poverty, promoting regional equality, fostering the growth of a town's surrounding rural areas, relieving pressure on large cities, and promoting non-farming activities for sustainable urbanization and achieving higher economic development. The emergence of small towns draws a sizable number of people from rural regions into the city, where they will be employed to the best ability to increase and sustain economic growth. Furthermore, the development of small towns needs to be given much more priority to accomplish Sustainable Development Goal 11 (United Nations Development Program, 2015).
Aims of the special issue
Small town’s impact on regional economies in developing countries (e.g., India) South Asia becomes a significant concern in determining effective policies to bringing them in the limelight of economic development. In this context, small towns have been heavily underestimated in terms of infrastructure investment with underpowered and under-resourced municipalities. Therefore, their potential contribution for creating ‘agglomeration economies’, ‘employment’ and raising urbanization rate is essential. In this connection, we aim to publish scientific research findings on how small towns affect the economies of developing countries and their upliftment into mainstream regional development policies. Furthermore, this special issue aims to collect relevant research findings into the features of the growth and development of small towns in developing countries. It will be very appreciated if various econometric modelling and the use of cutting-edge technology (GIS) are used for the analysis of the economic impact of small towns.
Scope and information for authors
The Research Topic aims to publish articles related to assessing small towns’ impacts on regional economics in developing countries associated with the following issues, but we welcome other relevant studies as well:
+ Future trend and pattern of small towns growth and development.
+ Impact of rural to urban migration on the economic transformation and small-town development
+ Emergence of non-farm economic activity and path to small town through economic transformation
+ Impact of small town for reduction in unemployment and poverty
+ Do small towns make effective agglomeration economies owing to borrowed effects on core cities on regional urban economic system?
+ Impacts of trade openness on the emergence of small towns
+ Projected contribution of small towns' growth to economic growth and development
+ Does emergence of small towns reduce regional imbalance?
+ Does promotion of small towns enhance inclusive economic growth?
+ Are small-towns competitive or complementary with large cities in ensuring sustainable development on regional urban system?
+ Policy promoting small towns against the agglomeration shadow effects of industrial composition of core cities on regional urban system.
Keywords: small town, economic growth, economic development, borrowed size effect, agglomeration shadow effect, non-farm economic activity, trade openness, poverty, employment, migration, regional imbalances, inclusive economic growth, sustainable urbanization
Authors are encouraged to submit their manuscripts to the Editor of the Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science (APJRS) by January 31, 2025. The submission website is as follows: https://www.editorialmanager.com/ajrs/default.aspx
All manuscripts will be evaluated according to the APJRS standard. Once a manuscript has been accepted after review, it will be rapidly published online with a DOI, which means that earlier submissions may be published online sooner than the printed edition, even if the printed version's publishing schedule has been set.
Please prepare your paper according to the APJRS Submission guidelines. Please select the special issue under Assessment of Small-town Development at the "Select Article Type" stage to track submissions.