Publications

This edited volume comprises selected papers from the 7th IRSA International Conference, held at the University of Indonesia, 3-4 August 2005. The title of this book reflects the major theme of the meeting. Indeed, the theme is timely. Following the devastating December 2004 tsunami in Aceh, the steering committee of the IRSA conference decided to take the natural disaster as the main theme of the 2005 meeting. The major earthquake in March 2005 in Nias reconfirmed the decision. But still, the committee would also call for wider regional science topics. Hence is the sub-theme of the meeting. The natural disaster strikes not only the affected people of Aceh and Nias, but also regional scientists. Very few ever thought previously about the impact and redevelopment issues of the unexpected events. This is partly reflected in the relatively small number of papers submitted to the conference. However, we are grateful to those who responded to the call for papers of this conference, and some of the papers are included in this volume.

This book is the result of the 5th Indonesian Regional Science Association (IRSA) International Conference held on 18-19 July, 2003 at the Savoy Homann Bidakara Hotel, Bandung, Indonesia. The conference theme was “Regional Development in a Decentralized Era: Public Services, Poverty and the Environment”. This book focuses on several sub-themes of the growth, equity and environment aspect of regional development namely on institutions and governance, the financing of regional development, poverty and income inequality, and sustainable development. The book is based on selected papers presented at the IRSA 5th International Conference which meets the theme of this volume, and which has not been published elsewhere.

This book comprises six papers presented at the 4th Indonesian Regional Science Association (IRSA) International Conference in Bali, June 20-21, 2002. The topic of the conference was “Decentralization, Natural Resources and Regional Development in the Pacific Rim’. Implementation of decentralization and natural resource management policies varies widely across countries in the Pacific Rim. Styles of government ranging from fully centralized to fully decentralized, with many variations in between. In managing natural resources, there are countries where they are managed solely by the government, those where the private sector or communities surrounding the resources manage them, as well as countries in which they are managed jointly by government, the private sector and the community.