This course develops the economic tools/theories and models that exist to analyse urban and territorial systems.

In terms of knowledge and learning capacities

Students are expected to learn conceptual economic reasoning, and to creatively identify economic effects in the areas where they apply their projects.

In terms of specific knowledge and learning capacity  

Students are expected to learn how to take into account economic aspects in physical planning

In terms of autonomous capacity to judge

Students are expected to learn how to judge the economic effects of their physical actions and plans

In terms of learning capacity

Students are expected to learn how to write critical studies; in this specific course this capacity will expected to be applied to the autonomous analysis of a critical study on the economic performance and structure of an urban environment.

In the course, the following questions are tackled: which are the determinants of economic growth in different types of territories? Which tools exist for the economic analysis of the territory?

The aim is therefore to present the main economic logics that explain the way in which economic activities are developed in space. To achieve such an aim, the course presents the main location theories and regional growth and local development theories that have been developed since the 1950s.

The course is organized around three parts:

Part 1:

Location Theory

In this part of the course, the main aim is to explain the location choices of firms and individuals, from an economic perspective. To this aim, the course deals with:

• location theories based on agglomeration economies vs. transportation costs;
• location theories based on accessibility;
• the formation and organization of urban systems;
• the determinants of urban rent.

Regional growth and local development theories

In this part of the course,  the main theories explaining regional growth are presented, namely:

• growth and industrial specialization;
• keynesian theories of regional growth;
• neoclassical theories of regional growth;
• local development theories.

Part 2: Economic indicators of structure and performance of local area

In the course, the aim is also to present to students the main economic tools to analyze a local area. Practical lectures will allow students to learn how indicators of this kind are built. In particular, the following indicators will be presented:

• indicators of industrial specialization;
• indicators of economic performance;
• indicators of comparative advantages.

SDGs keywords: Sustainable economic growth; Labour market; Entrepreneurship; Employment creation; Inequalities reduction

No basic knowledge in economics is required for attending the course. Basic economic concepts are explained in the course, so that students from each Bachelor allowed to enter the MSc programme do not face any problem.

Instead, prerequisites required are the capacity to study theoretical and abstract concepts, and basic competences in mathematics.

The exam is organized in two parts: a written exam and a practical work on the application of the indicators to a specific area. Students attending the lectures will be allowed to sit a mid-term partial exam.

Some parts will be available in English