The Economies of Cities and Regions

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

140 hours

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject explores planning and policy making for productive and competitive urban settlements by investigating the economic drivers, activities, and interrelationships of cities and regions. You will examine how making and moving of goods, services, and jobs shapes the vitality, structure and governance of cities and regions. Complex planning issues, requiring judgements about the competing demands of economic development and social needs, are associated with the growth and decline of sectors and places in their particular urban contexts. Various economic perspectives and examples are used to show and interpret how urban activities and sectors – such as manufacturing, transport, services, recreation, and creative activities – have locational and network impacts within and between cities. Special attention will be paid to comparative analysis and innovation in developing cities and regions, and to the implications of market failures and inequalities produced by economic development activities.

The subject aims are that on completion of the subject, students will be confident and competent in:

1. Understanding the foundation and development of economic activities in cities and regions;
2. Understanding basic principles, priorities, and pitfalls of economic analysis;
3. Appropriately analysing the social and equity outcomes of economic development agendas and plans;
4. Developing justifiable planning responses to (un)desirable changes in urban economic activities.

• Position Paper 1, in pairs, 40% (2,000 words) due week 5 or 6
• Group Presentation, 20% (1,000 words) due weeks 10/11
• Position Paper 2, individual, 40% (2,000 words) due week 13

None specified

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Generic skills developed through completion of this subject:

1. Select and summarise topical events and relevant literature using appropriate academic conventions.
2. Effectively communicate key ideas and analysis in putting forward a clear and defensible position.