Module: Urban & Regional Economics

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Urban & Regional Economics
Module Code	EF333 (ITS) / ECO1016 (Banner)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
Module Co-ordinator	Declan Curran
Module Teachers	Cathal Guiomard
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

This module will introduce students to principal theories in Urban and Regional Economics. The module will address the role of market forces and government policy in shaping the physical spatial structure and growth of cities and regions. Economic models addressing social problems and their interrelation with the physical environment will be examined. Students will draw on empirical evidence to assess theoretical models.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain why cities form, the spatial structure of the urban economy and the hierarchy of cities using economic reasoning.
2. Apply economic theories to investigate social problems within cities and regions.
3. Evaluate urban and regional growth and development policies.
4. Assess theoretical urban and regional economics models in the light of empirical evidence.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lecture attendance
Independent Study	48	Preparatory reading for lectures
Independent Study	33	Project: planning, research and write up
Directed learning	20	Exam preparation
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Market forces in the development of cities and regions
Why do cities exist? What determines their development and hierarchy? Where do cities develop?

Land rent and land use patterns
How are activities arranged within cities and regions? How do government policies affect the land use pattern?

Regional labour markets
Regional disparities in employment and growth. Factors promoting convergence in labour market outcomes. The European context.

Transport policy
Transport infrastructure and regional development. Congestion pricing, second best solutions and social acceptance.

Local/Regional Government and finance
Property taxes and local public expenditure. Tax setting policies in a context of local competition and cross subsidisation.

Housing and poverty
Special characteristics of the housing market. Segregation. Gentrification. Geographic and social mobility.

Crime
Economic model of crime and crime prevention strategies.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Project	Applied project, requiring independent research.	40%	As required

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Jan K. Brueckner: 2012, Lectures on Urban Economics, 978-0-262-01636-0
Philip McCann: 2013, Modern Urban and Regional Economics, 2nd, 0199582009
Mary E. Edwards: 2007, Regional and urban economics and economic development, Auerbach Publications, Boca Raton, FL, 978-0849383175
Paul N. Balchin, David Isaac, Jean Chen: 0, Urban economics: A global perspective, 978-0333960790
Arthur O'Sullivan: 0, Urban Economics, 0073511471

Other Resources

None