Fostering Competitive Cities and Urban Areas in the Greater Mekong Subregion: Building Inclusive Economic Clusters Sustainably

Abstract

This discussion paper focuses on the urban aspects of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) corridor development and the institutional framework that will be needed to implement investments to bolster the region’s competitiveness. Much work has been done on urban development in the GMS. The GMS Urban Strategy document clearly sets out three areas of focus and describes the cross-cutting theme of competitiveness. Given the experience on a range of projects in the intervening years, it is timely to consider potential strategies, and institutional and funding models, which could further enhance the competitiveness of the region. This paper seeks to canvass such strategies and models.