BMET 27A69 - Urban Economy: Planning, Policy and Polarisation

The urban economy has increasingly become the platform of global production and consumption. For this purpose, the course will focus on the economic forces that lead to the generation of cities and the role of urban economic policy. It begins with an examination of the theory of why cities grow and how individuals, households and firms choose their locations, before covering patterns of land use, suburbanisation, transportation, housing, crime, sports, tourism and their influence on the growth of cities. The first part examines the economic forces that drive urban growth, induce industrial concentration, and cause some cities to flourish and others to stagnate. The second part of the course will discuss the role of urban centers in designing and delivering social inclusion and welfare policies while addressing the challenges of affordable housing, urban sprawl, traffic congestion, regional economic divides, persistent joblessness, global warming, and informal settlements. Also, the course aims to analyse the contrasting experience in urban economic policy in Europe and the USA by focusing on the land use, mobility system, gentrification and sustainability. It will also draw from case study analysis from developing economies including the role of mega sporting events like the upcoming Olympics games in Paris. The discussion will further consider the role of demographic shifts, changing family patterns and decline of the middle class. The course highlights data analytic approaches to urban economic policy, identifies techniques of empirical social research and involves a mix of traditional lectures, case studies and policy debates.

Ravi TRIPATHI

Atelier

English

Spring 2022-2023

(At least three evaluation modalities are required, specify the % for each.) 1. Research Paper (40%) 2. Policy Paper (20%) 3. Policy presentation (20%) 4. Data research report (10%) 5. Urban Photo Project (10%)