KGLM 2130 - Development Finance, Corporations and Cities

This course will introduce you to the theories of economics and politics that underlie debates between politicians, practitioners and actors engaged in the transformation of city services provision and modernization. By a close examination of vital city services (energy, water, internet, transportation among others) you will learn about the classic debates among economists, political scientists and legal experts about the role of government in the market and apply these theories to a pressing issue: the causes, and possible institutional solutions to the shortcomings in the provision of urban utilities in the Global South. The course splits in several sections, that examine the evolution of ownership, management and governance of public city services from the historical development of utilities and urban services debates taking place at the beginning of the 20th century until the present day. The first two sections look into utility development in the Global South, from a historical perspective where development imperatives have been powerful ideological frameworks encouraging the modernization and betterment of life quality or as a factor hindering a homogeneous and universal provision of vital services. The importance of stakeholders engaged in utility development will be of a paramount importance here, and the role of the State, Utility Firms but also influential international development agencies will be thoroughly explored. The important turn to privatization and delegation enacted during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s will allow for critical insight into cost- benefit analysis principles, demand and supply analysis of utility ownership and regulation, as well as legal principles behind the spread of regulatory practices. Other sections built thematically on specific services will explore the issue of risk pertaining to infrastructure development, will allow us to explore life-cycle and risk issues pertaining to utilities, looking into contractual and financial models and risk assessments and resilience issues. The provision of utilities will be further explored from the perspective of social rights, market constraints and firms strategies. Resorting to a detailed analysis of SDGs(Sustainable Development Goals) imperatives, the course will explore the linkage between these goals, urban metabolism and social justice in the face of developmental pressures and complex governance networks. The final section of the course will expand the theoretical, analytical and empirical considerations addressed in previous sessions in relation to two important developments : the expansion of the ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) digital possibilities and large infrastructure development plans ushered prior and during the COVID 19 pandemic crisis. New digital urban services and network industry related developments such as mobility platforms, safe city solutions are redefining the scope of innovation in order to c. The phenomenal possibilities of data aggregation and analytics have led to the development of important platforms, offering city solutions that at times complement, but often intertwine and encroach with existing services, forcing local government to improvise, adapt and tweak existing regulations as to tame complex derived problems. Concomitantly, the push for infrastructure driven by BRI schemes in Asia and infrastructure plans drafted by the G7 in june 2021 have paved the way for an important expansion of financial possibilities for infrastructure development (old and new) and open a fascinating, albeit unpredictable, future for urban services expansion.

Alvaro ARTIGAS PEREIRA

Séminaire

English

The workload for this course will include the mandatory attendance to all sessions, as well as substantial reading of the literature and preparation for the different assignments throughout the different weeks.

This course requires some prior knowledge of macro economics as well as public policy analysis. An introduction to development studies is equally desirable, albeit not compulsory.

Autumn 2025-2026

Class participation (10%), a short informal reading presentation (15%) two short class projects per student (40%) Final paper (35%). Students will be expected to have read the readings made available on the moodle page of the seminar and the presentation of the readings, will be graded.