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After more than 2 weeks of no active cases, New Zealand lifted restrictions on gatherings and domestic travel in June and no longer required but still encouraged social distancing. Photo credit: iStock/Lakeview Images.

Policy Brief

Lessons We Can Learn from New Zealand's COVID-19 Strategy

Early and strong action mitigates health impact, while recovery measures focus on the long term.

Most cities are currently focusing their resources on the immediate management and response to COVID-19, such as wearing masks and frequent handwashing. Photo credit: ADB.

Insight

Redesigning Cities for Resilience and Livability

It is time to revisit urban strategies and revise the urbanization process and practices to build back better post-pandemic cities.

Shops and restaurants are open for business, but customers are few and far between in this once-bustling district in Singapore. Photo credit: ADB.

Policy Brief

How SMEs Can Bounce Back from the COVID-19 Crisis

Governments must have a strategy that looks at SMEs at the enterprise level to help them survive in the new normal.

Case Study

How Land Pooling Ensured Planned Development in Bhutan’s Capital

Residents in Thimphu contributed part of their land for urban infrastructure and services to support the growth of their city.

Students can learn at home while schools are closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo credit: ADB.

Explainer

How to Deliver Effective Remote Learning at Scale

Government can partner with telcos and educators and use multiple channels of existing infrastructure to reach as many children as possible.

A machine-learning algorithm can be trained to detect specific features in satellite images, such as roofing material, in order to map the spatial distribution of poverty. Photo credit: ADB.

Insight

Using Machine Learning on Satellite Images to Map Poverty

A study examines the feasibility of applying computer vision techniques to satellite data of the Philippines and Thailand to produce poverty maps.

Featured: Digital Solutions

Advances in technology can help aid agencies reach people in need securely, quickly, and more cost effectively. Photo credit: ADB.

Using Blockchain to Improve Aid Transparency and Efficiency

A fintech company uses blockchain technology and digital IDs to help ensure that aid reaches the right person at the right time.

Smartphone data, like geolocation and data usage, can be used by financing companies to evaluate the risk level of an individual without a credit history. Photo credit: ADB.

Here's How Alternative Credit Scoring Can Improve the Poor's Access to Loans

Through machine learning, data from nontraditional sources, such as telcos, are analyzed for credit risk assessment of the unbanked.

Staff from the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development in Viet Nam conduct a survey among farmers using smartphones. Photo credit: ADB.

How Mobile Technology Enables Better SDGs Monitoring

Using a tablet or smartphone to conduct survey interviews makes it easier and faster to benchmark progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

In Sudan, the Abu Halimah Greenhouse Project used the group value chain approach to support small agribusinesses. Photo credit: Islamic Development Bank.

Lessons from an Islamic Approach to Rural Financing

The Islamic Development Bank shares its experience in microfinance and group value chain financing to improve access to credit in rural areas.

Low-carbon measures, such as redevelopment of urban green spaces, can boost economic recovery and also result in positive health, environmental, and social outcomes. Photo credit: ADB.

Designing a Low-Carbon and Resilient COVID-19 Recovery

Recovery interventions should provide not only economic stimulus but also address climate and disaster risk to ensure that gains are sustained.

A rapidly aging population could increase public spending, especially on healthcare and pension benefits. Photo credit: ADB.

Sustaining Economic Growth and Social Security in Aging Economies

Policy responses to population aging should promote economic growth, higher productivity, and higher income for workers.