Small City Dreaming

A JustJobs Network initiative

Today throughout the Global South, many small cities are growing faster-economically and demographically-than bigger metropolitan areas. This research project examines the way small cities shape the employment outcomes of migrant youth in India and Indonesia-the two largest democracies in the developing world.

Even though policymakers and researchers often train their focus on megacities, small cities host large shares of the urban population in emerging economies and play a major role in supporting the development process. Today throughout the Global South, many small cities are growing faster-economically and demographically-than bigger metropolitan areas. This research project examines the way small cities shape the employment outcomes of migrant youth in India and Indonesia-the two largest democracies in the developing world.

As both countries hope to leverage their demographic dividends by employing young people in productive jobs, their small cities lie on the front lines of development challenges surrounding urbanization, migration and work. Using a case city approach with both surveys and qualitative research, the project looks at economic opportunity and job pathways in small cities, and especially the ways in which gender and migration shape the nature of these opportunities.

Further, the project considers whether current governance and policy frameworks support the ability of small cities to enable social and economic mobility-offering concrete recommendations for policy reforms toward that aim. This initiative is made possible through generous funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Think Tank Initiative (TTI).

Our Partners

Pusat Pelayanan Perencanaan Pembangunan Partisipatif (Center for Participatory Development and Planning) is a research center located in Diponegoro University (UNDIP), in the department of regional planning
PIKUL is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1998 to strengthen local capacity and institutions in Eastern Indonesia. At present, PIKUL serves its mandate by facilitating “champions” and communities to create and achieve their resilient vision.

Citizen’s Forum for Mangalore Development

Citizen’s Forum for Mangalore Development is a civil society group that works on public awareness and accountability on a range of issues including environment, basic services and infrastructure, as well as social harmony in the city of Mangalore.
Manthan Sanstha Kotri is an NGO that works on empowering marginalized rural communities in Ajmer and Nagaur districts in Rajasthan, India. It started as a social work and research center for Barefoot College, based in Tilonia, and became an independent organisation in 1998.

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      Showing 1-7 of 7 results

      Report
      Migration 7 January 2020

      Mangalore: The Front Lines of India’s Employment, Migration and Urban Challenges

      This report focuses on Mangalore, Karnataka to highlight dispersed urbanisation and job opportunities outside large cities. It provides data and makes policy recommendations for economic development and inclusive job markets.

      by Mukta Naik, Gregory Randolph
      Report
      Migration 3 January 2020

      Kishangarh: The Front Lines of India’s Employment, Migration and Urban Challenges

      This research project, of which this city profile is a part, turns its attention to the ‘where’ of the demographic dividend – what kind of geographies are experiencing the transition of youth from agriculture to non-farm work?

      by Mukta Naik, Gregory Randolph
      Film
      Migration 9 December 2018

      Small City Dreaming: A Story of Hope, Risk and Youth in Small Cities in India and Indonesia.

      Small City Dreaming: A story of hope, risk and youth in small cities in India and Indonesia. This documentary film is produced based on a joint research by JJN and CPR and directed by Amit Mahanti, a celebrated Indian filmmaker.

      Report
      Migration 3 December 2018

      Semarang: The Front Lines of Indonesia’s Employment, Migration and Urban Challenges

      This report emphasises local economic development in Indonesia’s smaller urban centres like Kabupaten Semarang, Java and offers policy recommendations for growth.

      by Gregory Randolph, Holi Bina Wijaya
      Report
      Migration 3 November 2018

      Kupang: The Front Lines of Indonesia’s Employment, Migration and Urban Challenges

      This report highlights the evolving urbanisation trends in Indonesia, the demographic challenges the country faces, and the importance of addressing employment and economic development in small and medium-sized cities like Kupang.

      by Gregory Randolph, Pantoro Tri Kuswardono
      Report
      Migration 18 July 2018

      Migration Junctions in India and Indonesia: Reimagining Places, Reorienting Policy

      JustJobs Network, in collaboration with the Centre for Policy Research, identifies geographies in India and Indonesia that are simultaneously experiencing high levels of in- and out- migration. Beyond mapping these “migration junctions,” the authors suggest what particular policy frameworks may be needed to promote migrant well-being in these contexts.

      by Mukta Naik, Gregory Randolph
      Report
      Urbanization 29 April 2016

      The Role of Small Cities in Shaping Youth Employment Outcomes in India and Indonesia

      This research project explores the role of small cities in shaping the employment outcomes of migrant youth – specifically women and those from non-metropolitan backgrounds.

      by Mukta Naik, Gregory Randolph