We are pleased to announce the "Training Workshop on the Application of the Degree of Urbanization (DOU) for Demographic Research and Policy Analysis," to be held from October 25–28, 2025, at Shanghai University, China.
This workshop is designed to provide an in-depth exploration and hands-on training in the Degree of Urbanization (DEGURBA) methodology. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the DEGURBA concepts, definitions, methodological foundations (GIS & Population grids), and apply these techniques to real-world data, including China's 2020 Census, for demographic research and policy analysis.
1. Workshop Core Information
Theme: Training Workshop on the Application of the Degree of Urbanization (DOU) for Demographic Research and Policy Analysis
Dates: October 25–28, 2025
Primary Venue: Classroom C426 & C502, Main Campus of Shanghai University, No. 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, China
Host: Asian Demographic Research Institute (ADRI) at Shanghai University
2. Workshop Agenda Overview
October 25 (Saturday):
Arrival and Registration (Lehu Hotel, No 716 Jinqiu Rd.). Informal networking among participants.
October 26 (Sunday):
Morning Session (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Opening and Welcome Remarks; The DEGURBA methodology (Overview, Introduction to concept and definitions, Methodological foundation).
Afternoon Session (2:00 – 5:00 PM): DEGURBA rationale; Technical Tools and Software for DOU with hands-on practical exercise on population grid.
October 27 (Monday):
DEGURBA (Stage I – settlement grid) in depth with hands-on practical exercise.
Case Study: China - Application of DOU using 2020 Census data and spatial datasets.
Public Lecture: "The Future of World Population: Divergent Trends, Competing Narratives, and the Role of the United Nations" by John Wilmoth.
Applied Exercises with Country Data: Participants work with their own country data and discuss results.
October 28 (Tuesday):
DEGURBA (Stage II – territorial units classification) in depth with hands-on practical exercise.
Applying DEGURBA data for global and regional development assessment: Linking with Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) urbanization projections.
Closing remarks and next steps to form a joint comparative research project on urbanization in Asia.
3. Online Participation via Zoom
We warmly welcome scholars from around the world with shared interests to join the key academic sessions of this workshop online via Zoom for active participation and exchange.
4. Invitation for Participation
This workshop offers a valuable opportunity to engage with leading experts and cutting-edge practices in the field. It is an ideal platform for researchers, academics, and students interested in urbanization, demography, GIS applications, and public policy analysis to enhance their skills, exchange ideas, and build collaborative networks. We look forward to connecting with you online!
For Inquiries: tzhang91@shu.edu.cn