Programme And Module Handbook
 
Course Details in


If you find any data displayed on this website that should be amended, please contact the Curriculum Management Team.

Module Title LI Economic Geography: Cities and Regions
SchoolSchool of Geog Earth & Env Sci
Department Geography
Module Code 03 27800
Module Lead Dr John Round
Level Intermediate Level
Credits 20
Semester Full Term
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions None
Contact Hours Lecture-40 hours
Guided independent study-160 hours
Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description This module examines the spatial economic underpinnings of the behaviour of urban and regional economies. Highlighting the differences and connections between the two types of economy, it explores a diverse range of basic analytical techniques, as well as the most current, state-of-the-art thinking in the field of local and regional economic development, and policy. The course is divided into two teaching “blocks”, each of 10 weeks and runs over two terms:
1. Cities and the Urban Economy examines various aspects of spatial economic analysis, explaining why groups of firms and activities are often located together in cities, urban agglomerations, and industrial clusters. It highlights increased competition between Europe’s cities for mobile investment through the development of public - private partnerships, property development, and urban regeneration strategies. This block of lectures also considers the broader historical themes relating to the changing context in which cities and regions nowadays find themselves.
2. Local and Regional Development: The local and regional development section of the module explores contemporary urban economic issues and discusses the implications of these for policy development in the current period of austerity. It examines the outcomes of current economic regional policy in the UK and elsewhere at the city, local and household level and explores the nature of resilience to these issues. The lectures challenge dominant notions of globalisation theories by demonstrating the continuing importance of the local/region. The lectures are research driven and include case study examples from the UK, Russia, Japan and China and there will be student led formative activity in Birmingham. The lectures are supported by five seminars during which students will discuss key readings and the Birmingham activity. The lectures also feed into the Berlin field trip where comparative discussions will be undertaken in the field.
Learning Outcomes By the end of the module students should be able to:
  • Identify and explain the spatial economic underpinnings of the behaviour of urban and regional economies;
  • Compare and contrast different theoretical models of urban and regional economic development;
  • Explain disparities in economic performance between different cities and regions;
  • Reflect upon the potential contribution to urban and regional economic development of a variety of policy initiatives and interventions;
  • Recognise the advantages, disadvantages and welfare implications of specific policy instruments;
  • Formulate and justify criteria (efficiency, equity, sustainability) for selecting policy priorities in different urban and regional economic development contexts.
Assessment 27800-01 : Coursework : Coursework (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions Assessments: One 2,000 word essay (50%): choose one from a range of possible questions set in Semester 1
One 2000 reflective report (50%)
Reassessment: resubmission of coursework;
Other
Reading List