705-315 Urban Economic Geography

Completion of 25 points of first year geography and environmental studies, economics or urban planning.

This subject examines how cities work and provides the tools with which to identify the characterstics of cities. It seeks first to explain the functions performed by cities, how cities work as economic units and how they grow and decline. It seeks secondly to examine the way in which the functions of cities are located in different parts of the city, the key economic sectors in cities and the rules of their location. The subject examines the interaction between industries labour markets and urban forms and considers the interplay between local, national and global influences on the growth trajectories of cities and regions. The implications for local devlopment strategies and social inequality are consiered. The subject introduces students to the information sources that are used in urban analysis, to the principal indicators of urban social and economic well-being and to the tools that are used to analyse cities.

On completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills and capabilities:

• Understand variations in the economic development of cities.

• Research and analysis of economic activities in cities.

• Comprehend planning for economic development in different cities and parts of cities.

• Use concepts and theories to guide analysis of urban economic geography.

• Anticipate the range of professional and communitiy interests involved in the urban economic geography of cities.

A 2 hr exam (30%), research essay (40%) and 3 tutorial papers (30%) all to the equivalent of 5000 words.