Building Forward Better: An Equitable, Sustainable, Inclusive Future For Asia And The Pacific

What if the pandemic could be a catalyst for cities in Asia and the Pacific to not only recover, but leap forward? Building Forward Better offers a compelling collection of Prof. Bambang Susantono's speeches and insights on this topic. It explores the pandemic's impact on urban development and outlines future policies to help cities in Asia and the Pacific thrive in a post-pandemic world. Emphasizing the slogan 'building forward better' rather than 'building back better,' the book delves into several key themes: digitalization and the economy, education and skills development, climate resilience, climate finance, connectivity, and sustainable development.This book's first theme explores how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the ongoing digital transformation for individuals and businesses. The second theme examines the pandemic's impact on education and skills, particularly the shift to online learning and the growing need for lifelong upskilling. The third theme highlights the increasing importance of addressing climate change in Asia and the Pacific, with a focus on building climate resilience. The fourth theme centers on discussions of climate finance, including topics such as carbon pricing, climate banks, and sustainable finance. The fifth theme addresses connectivity in cities, from transportation to infrastructure. The final theme explores strategies for aligning city development efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those related to gender and youth. Lastly, the book consolidates its discussions by summarizing the key points of each theme, reiterating the concept of 'building forward better' to promote sustainable development and resilience in the region.