Syllabus academic year 2011/2012
(Created 2011-09-01.)
URBAN ECONOMICSVFTN10
Credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Cycle: A (Second Cycle). Main field: Technology. Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish. Optional for: L5fe, L5fr. Course coordinator: Ingemar Bengtsson, ingemar.bengtsson@lantm.lth.se, Real Estate Science. Prerequisites: VFTF01 Economics and VFTF05 Real Estate Appraisal. The course might be cancelled if the number of applicants is less than 15. Assessment: Written exam plus assignment. Home page: http://www.lantm.lth.se.

Aim
Provide knowledge and methods to analyse the market force behind urban growth. The student should be equipped to understand and rationally explain episodes of expectional urban change in Sweden.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

be able to explain central result from the subjects of Urban Economics and The New Econmic Geography

be able to understand and explain the formation of economics clusters

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

be able to apply theories and model from Urban Economics and The New Economic Geography on issues of urban growth

be able to analytically explain historical episodes of urban growth or stagnation

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

be able to discuss the prerequsites for succesful urban development

Contents
The economic forces driving urban growth

The rise and decline of land value

The effect of externalities

The effect of public regulation

The localisation of housing

Case studies of urban growth and development

Literature
Sullivan, A. Urban Economics, McGraw-Hill, 2008
Supplementary literature