Special Topics in Urban Studies

The subject matter in Special Topics will vary from term to term and may include subjects such as Urban Economics or Introduction to Geographic Information Systems. The following is offered as an example based on the former subject. This course applies economic analysis to cities. It focuses on the economic forces that affect the development of cities and the ways local governments influence economic activity, particularly with reference to issues of interest to New York City. The course examines why cities exist and the differential growth within and between cities. It analyzes the decisions made by firms and households to locate within particular areas of cities and examines how economic factors affect urban problems in the areas of housing, transportation, and government finance.