Unit name | Cities, Housing and Public Policy |
---|---|
Unit code | SPOLM1072 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Dr. Sweeting |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
s None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School for Policy Studies |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit will explore the key public policy dimensions of an 'urbanised' world. The first half of the unit will explore the current patterns of urban growth and development on a global scale. This will encompass issues of migration and mobility; competitiveness and uneven development; the impact of information technology and changes in the nature of work and employment on contemporary urbanisation. In the second half of the unit the focus will be on more specific policy issues. This will focus particularly on housing and shelter, transportation and accessibility, urban poverty and inequality; sustainability and environmental policy; new forms of urban governance. Case study material will be used to explore policy issues in a variety of urban settings. Geographically, the unit will draw mainly on examples from Europe and Asia-Pacific but will range more widely as appropriate.
Aims:
On completion of the unit a student should:
The unit will be delivered through a combination of interactive lectures and seminars.
A 3,500 word essay in which students must demonstrate an understanding of appropriate theoretical debates, be able to locate an analysis of urban policy in its broader social, cultural and economic contexts, and be able to evaluate policy developments comparatively and internationally.
UNCHS (2001) Cities in a Globalizing World London: Earthscan
Thorns, D. (2002) The Transformation of Cities London: Palgrave
Pacione, M. (2001) Urban Geography: a global perspective London: Routledge
Drakakis-Smith, D.W. (2000) Third World Cities 2nd edition London: Routledge
Paddison, R.(Ed.) (2000) The Handbook of Urban Studies London:Sage