KGLM 2065 - Housing and Land

Global cities have historically been marked by housing shortages, speculative real estate, and high

inequality. Yet despite facing similar challenges, cities are influenced by politics, culture, and history

to manage housing and land markets in diverse ways. The objective of the course is to analyze urban

housing and land markets within their social, political and institutional (legal) context and to equip

students with the conceptual tools to analyze urban policy. The course uses foundational texts, recent

research, and real-world cases of housing and land policy in large metropolises in comparative

perspective.

The class is focused on discussion of key themes and debates from the readings, and student

participation is central. The class comprises of lectures, discussion, and weekly student presentations

on readings. The readings have been selected to connect with each other in interesting ways – as

critiques, extensions, offering competing or interdisciplinary perspectives; students are encouraged to

juxtapose readings and look for connections.

12 2-hour sessions

In week 4, students will write a one-page proposal for their final paper (10%). In week 7, students

will submit a 5 page first draft (30%) of the 10-page final paper (40%). 10% for class participation

and 10% for two reflection notes (one page each) written in the week of your choice.

Final paper; students are encouraged to select a housing and land related policy issue, in a specific

city, and drawing on empirical data. For example, students could consider replicating or extending

one of the class readings in a new, comparative context. The data could include newspaper reports,

policy briefs, quantitative data, census data, and so on. Students will submit a proposal and a first

draft of the paper enabling them to revise and improve on the final paper in each step. The three

submissions for the final paper allow for us to have a lively discussion and provide constructive

feedback on other’s projects. The papers must be unique to this class and not duplicated elsewhere.

For assistance with disability accommodations, please contact me.

Use of AI: tools of artificial intelligence are not permitted for submissions for this class, except for

minor editing (for which spell and grammar check tools exist).