UMass Boston

Course Overview

Description

At the most general level, urban economics introduces space into economic models and studies the location of economic activity. This course is organized around three primary sets of questions within the field of urban economics. The first focuses on the development of urban areas. Why do cities exist and why do some grow more rapidly? The second area addresses patterns of development within metropolitan areas. How do firms and households decide where to locate within given metropolitan areas? What determines the price of land, and how do these prices vary across space? The third and final area concerns the spatial dimensions of urban problems. Specifically, we will examine poverty, housing, and congestion. In addition to a rigorous study of urban economic theory, this course will also include a team based consulting project for a specific client in the city of Boston. Students will receive their client at the beginning of the semester and will conduct original empirical research to address their client's concerns.