Ideas worth spreading

Why the world needs charter cities

730,079 views | Paul Romer • TEDGlobal 2009

How can a struggling country break out of poverty if it's trapped in a system of bad rules? Economist Paul Romer unveils a bold idea: "charter cities," city-scale administrative zones governed by a coalition of nations. (Could Guantánamo Bay become the next Hong Kong?)

How can a struggling country break out of poverty if it's trapped in a system of bad rules? Economist Paul Romer unveils a bold idea: "charter cities," city-scale administrative zones governed by a coalition of nations. (Could Guantánamo Bay become the next Hong Kong?)

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Paul Romer

Chief Economist and Senior Vice President, World Bank

See speaker profile

Paul Romer's research on catch-up growth in low- and middle-income countries has emphasized the importance of government policies that encourage orderly urban expansion.

Learn more

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.