Economic Resilience through Sustainable Urbanization in Southeast Asia
MIT-VNU Joint Workshop on Global Supply Chain Reallocation and Vietnam’s Sustainable Urbanization
The MIT Center for Real Estate’s Asia Real Estate Initiative (AREI) sponsored a workshop jointly organized by the MIT Sustainable Urbanization Lab and Vietnam National University International School (VNU-IS) in Hanoi, Vietnam, on July 17, 2024.
Titled “Rising with Global Supply Chain Reallocation: On Vietnam’s Sustainable Urbanization,” the workshop explored various aspects of sustainable urbanization, economic development, and global integration, focusing on experiences from China and their potential applications to Vietnam. The program brought together experts from institutions in the US, Vietnam, and China to share insights on urban development, industrial production, cross-border dynamics, sustainable planning, and emerging economic sectors. Prof. Siqi Zheng, Faculty Director of the MIT Center for Real Estate, and two AREI researchers, Assoc. Prof. Wen-Chi Liao from the National University of Singapore Business School, and Dr. Li Hou from Harvard University Graduate School of Design, participated in the workshop.
The workshop featured a mix of presentations, panel discussions, and roundtables, offering opportunities for in-depth exploration of topics and collaborative dialogue. Siqi Zheng delivered a keynote speech on “Industrial Parks in China: Economic Engine, Misallocation Cost, and the Role of Transportation Infrastructure.” Wen-Chi Liao presented key findings from the collaborative paper “Tariff Wall Jumping at the China-Vietnam Border,” co-authored with Matthew E. Kahn and Siqi Zheng. Dr. Dong Chung from VNU-IS examined the “survivability” of the Vietnamese manufacturing industry in the global value chain, advocating support for domestic and non-state-owned businesses to enhance their survival prospects. Laurent El Ghaoui, Professor, Vice Provost of Research, and Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at VinUniversity, discussed the semiconductor industry’s future and labor force education in Vietnam. He also participated in panel discussions on bridging research with policy-making and industrial practices, alongside Siqi Zheng and other participants. Xueli Liu and Li Hou evaluated the planning efforts and impacts on the high-speed rail new towns in China, while Dr. Xiaoyi Wen from Tongji University, China, presented recent territorial planning and infrastructure construction schemes in the China-Vietnam border region.
Through the joint workshop, participants gained valuable insights into the latest research and practical applications in sustainable urbanization, economic development, and global integration, with a specific focus on the challenges and opportunities facing Vietnam in light of China’s experiences and emerging global trends. This AREI-sponsored event aimed to foster knowledge exchange, encourage international collaboration, and contribute to developing sustainable urban policies and practices in the Southeast Asia region. It also addressed the pressing need for skilled workforce development in high-tech industries, the complexities of managing rapid urban growth in major metropolitan areas like Hanoi, and strategies for enhancing economic resilience through global integration.
