The global urban system poses many challenges: in the global North, many cities face physical decay, economic instability, and inequality; in the global South and East rapid urbanisation has consumed huge amounts of land and other resource, disrupting traditional ways of life, and creating huge gaps between rich and poor. This course examines global urban challenges through in-depth thematic and regional case studies to help students gain an in-depth understanding of contemporary urban issues.

27 hours of timetabled on-campus teaching in Semester 2. Classes delivered in 3 hourly blocks, once per week, over 9 consecutive weeks. There will be a 1 hour lecture, followed by a 2-hour seminar

None

None

This course will be formally assessed by means of an essay (maximum of 4,000 words in length).

The aim of this course is to provide students with in-depth knowledge of contemporary global urban challenges. The course begins with a thematic consideration of key contemporary urban issues before then exploring more regionally specific or paradigmatic issues through particular city case studies

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ identify and discuss diverse contemporary urban challenges at the global level;

■ demonstrate a sound understanding of current urban problems faced by urbanites and the policy and planning issues they raise;

■ critically assess a range of policies and approaches developed by global, national and urban organisations in dealing with these challenges;

■ identify, define and debate key theories concepts in urban research;

■ acknowledge contested visions and values underlying interpretations of sustainability, democracy and justice and explore the implications for urban planning and policymaking;

■ demonstrate a critical appreciation of the relationships between social, economic and environmental challenges (including climate change), and how these change over time and interrelate with each other; and

■  debate and analyse alternative solutions to urban challenges.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.