The purpose of the course is that students acquire knowledge in urban and regional economics. Students should obtain an understanding of different sectors localisation decisions and how to analyse the resulting geographical patterns. Students should also be able to analyse the resulting phenomena such as urbanisation, densification, regional development and distribution as well as inequalities. The course aims for students to understand relevant actors in urban development. The course furthermore aims at students acquiring current methods in the field, with a special emphasis on quantitative methods and geographic information systems (GIS).

The course is divided into two parts.

1. Urban growth and development (7.5 credits)

This part aims at providing knowledge of urban and regional economics, as well as an understanding of different stakeholders and their role in urban development.

2. Analytical methods for economic and geographic analysis. (7.5 credits)

In this part students will apply analytical tools for urban and regional data, including statistical methods and GIS tools. Lectures, seminars and computer labs will be used parallel in order for students to be able to apply theories using relevant tools.

Part 1

After finishing the course, the student should:

1. be able to identify, analyse and critically assess current issues related to urban and regional development

2. explain and critically assess theories in urban and regional economics

Part 2

After finishing the course, the student should be able to:

3. apply statistical and GIS based methods as tools for analysing land and real estate

4. understand and assess strengths and limitations of different methods and be able to account for them.

5. communicate orally and in writing results from analytical work in a clear manner.

Lectures, seminars, and written assignments

Part 1

Seminars (2.5 credits) (grading scale UG) (learning outcomes 1 & 2)

Written individual examination (5 credits) (grading scale UA) (learning outcomes 1 & 2)

Part 2

Written assignments (2.5 credits) (grading scale UG) (learning outcome 3, 4 & 5)

Individual project (5 credits) (grading scale UA) (learning outcome 3, 4 & 5)

In order to pass the course all examining parts need to be passed.

The final grade is the average grade of the parts assessed using the grading scale UA.

Information on how the full course grade is determined will be available in course documentation provided when the course starts.

Articles and other material will be provided electronically

The University provides students participating in or upon completion of a course with the opportunity to relay their experiences of and opinions on the course through a course evaluation which is administered by the University. The University compiles and summarizes the course evaluations and informs students of the results and any decisions relating to measures made on the basis of the course evaluations. Results are made available to students (HF 1:14)

If a course is no longer offered or has undergone major changes, students are offered two re-take sessions based on the syllabus in force at registration during a period of one year from the date of the implementation of the changes.

Language of instruction: English

This syllabus is a translation from Swedish.