Urban Geography

Considering that we now live in a predominantly urban world and that levels of global urbanisation are set to increase, the study of cities and urban places is of major significance. This module introduces students to some of the key themes, concepts and debates characterising historical and contemporary urban geography. Among the topics covered initially are conceptualisations of the urban condition, theories of urban evolution and processes of historic and contemporary urbanisation. The course then focuses on urban geographies of the global north through an examination of contemporary shifts in urban structure, urban form and urban economy, the crisis of the inner city and cities as key sites of accumulation in the global economic system. Finally, the module carefully considers themes of conflict and contestation in urban environments through an exploration of inner-city regeneration policies, processes of gentrification and new approaches to city governance. Case studies for this module will be drawn primarily from cities in Europe, North America, Australia and China.