The Economy of Cities and Regions

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

This subject was formerly called Planning the Productive City (Masters).

This subject explores the economic drivers of cities, examining the ways that the economic production of goods and services shapes the vitality, structure and planning agenda of cities. It uses an economic sectoral perspective to demonstrate how sectors like manufacturing, transport, services, recreation, and creative activities have locational impacts in certain cities and within selected parts of cities. Complex planning issues, requiring judgements about the competing demands of economic development and social needs, are associated with the growth and decline of sectors in their particular urban contexts. Special attention will be paid to innovation in city development, and to the implications of market failures and inequalities produced by economic development activities.

On completion of the subject students will have learned how to address complex planning issues in particular urban economic contexts.

• Understanding the foundation and development of economic activities in cities
• Understanding basic principles of economic analysis
• The ability to analyse the social and equity outcomes of economic development schemes
• The ability to develop planning responses to changes in urban economic activity

• Four topical papers, each 1000 words (80%, due week 3, 6, 9, 12)
• Presentation on topical papers, 1000 words (20%, due week 11 or 12)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Analyze current events in the context of urban
  economic forces in the city
• Write about and present ideas and analysis