2026 SMU-Jinan Conference on Urban and Regional Economics joint with 11th WB-GWU Urbanization and Development Conference

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The 2026 SMU-Jinan Conference on Urban and Regional Economics will take place on December 14, 15 & 16, 2026 for three full days at Singapore Management University (SMU). It is organized by the School of Economics at SMU in partnership with Jinan University, joint with 11th World Bank-George Washington University’s Urbanization and Development Conference. The objective is to gather world-leading experts to share the latest knowledge and research in urban and regional economics.

We now invite submission of high-quality papers in Urban and Regional Economics, which includes (but is not limited to) the Economics of Cities, Housing, Real Estate, Local Public Good Provision, Transportation, and the Distribution of Economic Activity in Space. 

Given this year's focus, priorities will be given to papers focusing on urbanization and economic development in the developing world as well as studies that are particularly relevant for developed Asia or developing Asia. However, papers on other topics or regions are more than welcome.

Note that travel expenses and registration fees will be covered for a few selected younger scholars who are still doing their PhD or have completed their PhD less than two years ago.

For Registration Fee, please refer to Registration tab for more information.

For Paper Submission, please view the Call For Papers for details.

In-Person Keynote Speakers:

• Professor Thomas CHANEY
  John Elliott Chair in Economics and Professor of Economics, University of Southern California
• Professor Melanie MORTEN 
  Associate Professor, Stanford University
• Professor Paul NOVOSAD 
  Associate Professor of Economics, Dartmouth College
• Professor Steve REDDING
  Kleinheinz Family Professor of International Studies and Professor of Economics, Stanford University

Program Committee:

• Nate BAUM-SNOW (University of Toronto)
• Thomas CHANEY (University of Southern California)
• Yi Jie GWEE (MTI Economist Service)
• Remi JEDWAB (George Washington University)
• Jing LI (Singapore Management University)
• Shimeng LIU (Jinan University)
• Lin MA (Singapore Management University)
• Melanie MORTEN (Stanford University)
• Paul NOVOSAD (Dartmouth College)
• Steve REDDING (Stanford University)
• Tanner REGAN (George Washington University)
• Mark ROBERTS (World Bank)
• Harris SELOD (World Bank)
• Hongjia ZHU (Jinan University)

Important Dates: