Basics of urban economics and management 2800-BUEM-USS-1-S1

Course Description
The course introduces students to fundamental theories and concepts of urban economics, economics, and management, with a focus on their practical application in city management and sustainable urban development. Lectures provide a strong theoretical foundation in urban growth, real estate markets, spatial planning, and urban policy. Practical labs and tutorials allow students to explore social and contemporary urban challenges such as overtourism, revitalization, the night-time economy, and smart city solutions. The course equips students with analytical tools and management perspectives to address both traditional and emerging urban issues.
Lectures Topics
1. Introduction to Urban Economics and Management – basic terms, core concepts and theories
2. Urban Policy and Governance, Multi-Level Management, Self-government and its Role in Urban Development – legal and economic Aspects
3. Urban Policy and Planning, Local Development, Metropolization – key-concepts
4. Local Finance – sources of revenue, budgeting
5. Real Estate Markets and Housing Policy – supply, demand, and affordability
6. Urbanization Challenges, Infrastructure and Mobility – planning, financing, and case studies
Labs / Tutorials and Fieldwork
Labs focus on applying theoretical knowledge to social and practical urban issues. Students work in groups to analyze and develop solutions for real-life urban challenges, including:
• Overtourism mitigation strategies
• Planning and management of the night-time economy
• Smart city projects and digital urban solutions
• Community engagement and social sustainability
• Urban resilience and metabolism
• Revitalization process in the economic, spatial and social dimensions.
• Selected factors and strategies for sustainable urban development.
Fieldwork activities involve field visits, case studies, and interactive simulations, promoting critical thinking, teamwork, and decision-making skills relevant to contemporary urban management.

Total student workload

Contact hours with teacher: • Participation in lectures - 15 hrs • Participation in exercises - 15 hrs • Participation in fieldwork - 20 hrs • Consultations - 5 hrs Self-study hours: • Preparation for lectures and labs (backgroud reading) - 30 hrs • Research for the projects - 30 hrs • Reading and analysing assigned literature - 25 hrs • Writing the individual essey - 30 hrs • Preparation for field work evaluation - 30 hrs • Review and consolidation of course content – 10 hrs Altogether: 210 hrs (7 ECTS)

Learning outcomes - knowledge

W01: The student understands basic urban economic structures and management frameworks (K_W01, K_W03) W02: The student understands theories of cities and levels of urbanization (K_W02)

Learning outcomes - skills

U01: The student is able to link cities and levels of urbanization with economic theories (K_U01) U02: The student analyses infrastructure systems in the context of urban economics (K_U03) U03: The student applies quantitative methods in urban economic analysis (K_U01, K_U03) U04: The student discusses urban governance systems and their economic implications (K_U05)

Learning outcomes - social competencies

K01: The student evaluates land-use policies and their impact on sustainable urban growth (K_K01) K02: The student proposes sustainable economic solutions to urban challenges (K_K02) K03: The student critically analyses global trends affecting urban economies (K_K01, K_K02) K04: The student is able to design and evaluate urban policies (K_K01) K05: The student is able to collaborate effectively on developing sustainable urban solutions (K_K03) K06: Student critically analyses the effects of globalization on urban economies (K_K02, K_K03)

Course coordinators

Aranka Ignasiak-Szulc

Teaching methods

Expository teaching methods: description, problem-based lecture Inquiry-based teaching methods: exercise method, case study method, project method.

Expository teaching methods

- discussion
- description
- problem-based lecture
- participatory lecture
- narration

Exploratory teaching methods

- SWOT
- project work
- practical
- field measurement
- experimental
- presentation of a paper
- case study

Type of course

compulsory course

Prerequisites

Introductory knowledge of social sciences is helpful but not required.

Assessment criteria

Assessment methods for the lecture:
- written essay – covering the theoretical knowledge presented during the lectures (K_W01, K_W02, K_W03)
- activity during lectures – assessed through participation in discussions and contributions to case study analysis (K_U01, K_U02, KU_05, K_K02, K_K03).
Assessment Criteria:
Written Essay:
Students are required to submit an individual written essay. The list of topics will be presented at the end of lectures (available in Teams). The essay’s evaluation will be assessed based on: relevance to the topic and clarity, use of academic resources and proper referencing, critical analysis and discussion, and overall structure and language quality.
Overall grade for the lecture:
The final grade will be calculated based on the evaluation of the essay (80% of the final grade) and participation/activity during lectures (20%).
Assessment methods for exercises (labs):
- project 1 (20% of the final grade) – introductory group project “Dream City” focused on a specific aspect of urban economics, such as spatial planning, infrastructure management, or real estate markets, aligned with the lecture content (K_U01 K_U04, K_U05)
- final presentation (80% of the final grade) – A sustainability-focused presentation prepared in pairs on given topic that integrates urban management principles with current challenges and sustainable development goals a (K_U01 K_U05). K_U04)
Assessment methods for fieldwork:
- fieldwork participation and engagement (80% of the fieldwork grade) (K_K02, K_U05)
- field notes and data collection (20% of the fieldwork grade) (K_U01, K_U03, K_U04)

Practical placement

Not applicable

Additional information

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

Description of 2800-BUEM-USS-1-S1 in USOSweb