Urban policy in action 2400-OG-EN-UPiA

Urban Policy in Action explores how strategic urban goals are transformed into concrete initiatives. Students learn about policy instruments, stakeholder engagement, budgeting, and monitoring and evaluation techniques. Through field-based observations and case studies, participants analyze successes and failures of real urban projects. The main component of the course is a group project where students design a policy intervention for a selected urban problem (e.g., mobility, housing, green infrastructure). The project requires evidence-based analysis, stakeholder mapping, and practical recommendations aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Detailed course content / list of topics
1. Introduction to Urban Policy: from strategy to action
2. Stakeholder Engagement and Governance Networks
3. Policy Instruments and Financing Urban Projects
4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Evidence-Based Adjustment
5. Case Studies: successes and failures in urban interventions
6. Field-based Observations and Data Collection
7. Group Project Workshops and Final Presentations

Total student workload

Contact hours with teacher: np. - participation in discussion seminar - 20 hrs Self-study hours: np. - preparation for discussion seminar and for workshop - 30 hrs - reading literature - 20 hrs - group project preparation - 50 hrs Altogether: 120 hrs (4 ECTS)

Learning outcomes - knowledge

Student W1: understands key concepts, instruments, and actors involved in contemporary urban policy processes. W2: knows models of policy implementation and evaluation in the urban context and their relation to sustainable development goals. W3: identifies challenges in translating strategic urban plans into practical actions.

Learning outcomes - skills

Student U1: is able to design and manage small-scale urban policy interventions and evaluate their effectiveness. U2: can collect and synthesize evidence to support practical policy solutions and communicate them to diverse stakeholders. U3: demonstrates ability to facilitate cooperation between municipal authorities, NGOs, and local communities.

Learning outcomes - social competencies

Student K1: develops skills to collectively assess local social issues and identify appropriate policy responses. K2: can work effectively in interdisciplinary and multicultural teams. K3: demonstrates responsibility for the social and environmental consequences of implemented policies.

Course coordinators

Joanna Suchomska

Teaching methods

Interactive seminars and debates Field visits / study walks in the city (where feasible) Case study workshops Group project simulating real-life policy design and implementation

Assessment criteria

Active seminar participation and short assignments – 20%
Field observation report / case study analysis – 30%
Group project (written policy proposal + presentation) – 50%
– quality and feasibility of the proposal
– integration of social, economic, and environmental considerations
– clarity of evidence-based reasoning and stakeholder engagement plan
Minimum 60% of total points is required to pass.

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2400-OG-EN-UPiA in USOSweb