GY400 Half Unit
The Economics of Urbanisation
This information is for the 2023/24 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof John Henderson CKK 4.31
Availability
This course is available on the MPhil/PhD in Economic Geography, MSc in Environment and Development, MSc in Environmental Economics and Climate Change, MSc in Environmental Policy, Technology and Health (Environment and Development) (ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ and Peking University), MSc in Environmental Policy, Technology and Health (Environmental Economics and Climate Change) (ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ and Peking University), MSc in Geographic Data Science, MSc in Local Economic Development, MSc in Regional And Urban Planning Studies, MSc in Urban Policy (ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ and Sciences Po) and MSc in Urbanisation and Development. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
Pre-requisites
No specific ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ course requirements. At a minimum, students should have an analytical course in micro-economics (or equivalent) and a basic statistics or econometrics course.
Course content
This MSc course will offer students the opportunity to learn some of the conceptual foundations and empirical regularities involved in studying why countries urbanise, the nature of structural and spatial transformation involved in the urbanisation process and the development of systems of cities. Complementing this will be a study of the internal spatial transformation of cities, the evolution of the location of production activities, the formation and role of slums, and the evolution of land market regulations and property right assignments. Critical to understanding these processes will be learning about the role of regulation and political processes, as well as policy initiatives, in shaping outcomes. The course will also examine the current process of urbanisation in Asia and Africa in the various special contexts of different regions and countries, drawing from lessons of the past as experienced in Latin America and parts of the developed world.
Teaching
20 hours of lectures and 20 hours of seminars in the WT.
The first three weeks of seminars will involve a review of basic statistical methods to help prepare students for class and lecture material.
Formative coursework
Students will be expected to produce 1 piece of coursework in the WT.
Indicative reading
Duranton G. (2008), 'Viewpoint: From cities to productivity and growth in developing countries', Canadian Journal of Economics, Vol. 41, No. 3, 689-736
Ghani E, S. O’Connell and E. Rossi-Hansberg (2014) 'The Spatial Development of India,' Journal of Regional Science, forthcoming
Henderson, J.V. T. Regan, and A. J. Venables (2017) “Building the city: urban transition and institutional frictions,” SERC and CERP working paper
Bertaud A and J Brueckner (2005) 'Analyzing building height restrictions: predicted impacts and welfare costs' Regional Science and Urban Economics, 35, 109-125
Donaldson D, (2017) 'Railroads of the Raj' American Economic Review, forthcoming
Galiani S. and E. Schargrodsky (2011), 'The dynamics of land titling regularization and market development', United Nations University – World Institute for Development Economic Research, Working Paper No. 2011/88.
Assessment
Exam (70%, duration: 2 hours) in the spring exam period.
Presentation (30%) in the WT.
Key facts
Department: Geography and Environment
Total students 2022/23: 38
Average class size 2022/23: 19
Controlled access 2022/23: Yes
Lecture capture used 2022/23: Yes (LT)
Value: Half Unit
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills