Conference presentation - Acknowledging the Realities of an Urban Pacific - 7 SEPT 2015

Pacific Islands cities have experienced rapid urbanisation for decades, attracting migrants in search of a better life. Within these cities significant political and social transformations are occurring. How well these transformational processes are handled will determine whether these urban centres become drivers of economic growth and development, or sources of social unrest. Many attempts to put urbanisation on the South Pacific development agenda have failed to get traction. This reflects sensitivities about urban land settlement and development, rural-urban migration, foreign workers, service shortfalls and cultural change. But urbanisation will continue to accelerate; its a permanent regional dynamic. Making urbanisation work, managing the risks of disorderly urban development and capitalising on the opportunities are regional imperatives that require governments, communities, donors and researchers to put it squarely on the agenda.