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Urbanization and (in)formalization

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  • Ghani, Ejaz
  • Kanbur, Ravi

Abstract

Two of the great stylized predictions of development theory, and two of the great expectations of policy makers as indicators of progress in development, are inexorable urbanization and inexorable formalization. Urbanization is indeed happening, beyond the"tipping point"where half the world's population is now urban. However, formalization has slowed down significantly in the past quarter century. Indeed, informality has been increasing. This disconnect raises a number of questions for development analysis and development policy. Is the link between urbanization and formalization more complex than what had been thought? What does this mean for policy? The first core section of this paper asks what exactly is meant by formality and informality. The second core section turns to processes of urbanization and asks how these processes intersect with and interact with the incentives to formalize. The paper examines why cities attract the informal sector and the role that urbanization plays in growth and job creation through both the formal and informal sectors. Cities generate agglomeration benefits in the informal sector, perhaps more so than for the formal sector. The third core section is devoted to policy. At the current conjuncture, agglomeration benefits make a strong case for urbanization as an integral part of development strategy, but concerns about jobless growth and about urban poverty require a focus on the informal sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Ghani, Ejaz & Kanbur, Ravi, 2013. "Urbanization and (in)formalization," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6374, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6374
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Christian M Rogerson, 2016. "Progressive rhetoric, ambiguous policy pathways: Street trading in inner-city Johannesburg, South Africa," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 31(1-2), pages 204-218, February.
    3. Kanbur, Ravi, 2014. "Mindsets, Trends, and the Informal Economy," Working Papers 180155, Cornell University, Department of Applied Economics and Management.
    4. Kanbur, Ravi, 2013. "Exposure and Dialogue Programs in the Training of Development Analysts and Practitioners," Working Papers 180097, Cornell University, Department of Applied Economics and Management.
    5. Ghani, Ejaz & Kanbur, Ravi & O'Connell, Stephen D., 2013. "Urbanization and agglomeration benefits : gender differentiated impacts on enterprise creation in India's informal sector," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6553, The World Bank.
    6. Li-Yan Wang & Yi Xiao & En-Ming Rao & Ling Jiang & Yang Xiao & Zhi-Yun Ouyang, 2018. "An Assessment of the Impact of Urbanization on Soil Erosion in Inner Mongolia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-13, March.
    7. Rogerson Christian M., 2018. "Informality and migrant entrepreneurs in Cape Town’s inner city," Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, Sciendo, vol. 40(40), pages 157-171, June.
    8. Beegle,Kathleen G. & Benjamin,Nancy Claire & Recanatini,Francesca & Santini,Massimiliano, 2014. "Informal economy and the World Bank," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6888, The World Bank.
    9. Glaeser, Edward & Joshi-Ghani, Abha, 2013. "Rethinking Cities: Toward Shared Prosperity," World Bank - Economic Premise, The World Bank, issue 126, pages 1-14, October.

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    Keywords

    Population Policies; Labor Markets; Urban Slums Upgrading; Labor Policies; National Urban Development Policies&Strategies;
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