MPlan Planning / Course details

The course provides an introduction to urban and environmental economics, which does not require an in-depth prior understanding of economics. Fundamental knowledge of environmental and urban economics is attained through the examination of key economic concepts and tools, using examples of environmental and land use policies, different types of market failures, and environmental valuation. The students gain understanding of consumer and firm behaviour by looking at a range of market structures, supply and demand issues, location and land use effects, and analysing policy responses to some of the major environmental issues of our time.

To provide key economic concepts and tools for analysing environmental and urban issues 

To introduce and explain the application of economic methods to the analysis of the built and natural environments. 

To make clear the ways in which sound economic analysis is critical to urban and environmental policy making. 

To encourage critical debate and reflection on key environmental and urban policy issues.

 
To present latest economic thinking and research for a range of topical issues such as climate change and environmental agreements, ecosystem service valuation, the efficacy of various policy instruments in meeting key UNSDGs, and the impact of land use regulations
 

This unit will provide students with a foundational understanding of how economic concepts and tools are applied in examining environmental and urban issues as well as in designing policies to address them. This knowledge is crucial for students as it allows them to effectively apply economic frameworks and tools, numeracy skills and problem solving not only in their future years of study but also in their careers. 

A series of lectures is used to introduce topics in a structured manner. Workshops and seminars are used to explore a particular issue in more depth and encourage critical debate. The lectures will be recorded and available as podcasts through VLE. Course material will be available online through VLE. The students are expected to prepare for seminars and to read the suggested reports and papers, research any assigned tasks and consider questions in advance. The students are also expected to take a lead in discussions. Student engagement, participation and provision of feedback will also be done online through a VLE Discussion Board.  Workshops are designed to allow the student to work through problems, individually or in groups, with guidance provided by tutors.

Demonstrate ability to explain key economic ideas and tools.

Apply economic reasoning and theory to analyse issues in the built and natural environment.

Critically evaluate the impact of land and environmental regulation.

Apply skills in complex problem solving, in analysing and evaluating information and data.

Devise frameworks of evaluating the socio-economic and environmental impact of projects and policies.

Critically analyse and evaluate information, make considered judgements 

Provide innovative and credible solutions to policy problems.

Effectively communicate ideas and concepts in writing

Ability to undertake desk-based research

Introduce numeracy skills including selection, accuracy, uncertainty and approximation with sampling and quantitative methods.

Detailed feedback on summative assessments will be provided via VLE. This will be in written format. 

This reading list is not exhaustive but indicates work that will support you on this course. Specific readings and further material will be provided at relevant times during the course.

Introduction to economics

Begg DKH, Fischer S, Dornbusch R. (2015) Foundations of Economics, 5th Ed., McGraw Hill.

Lipsey, R. G. and Chrystal, A. (1995) An introduction to positive economics, 8th Ed., Oxford University Press.

Urban and Environmental Economics

Hanley, N., Shogren, J. F. and White, B. (2001) Introduction to environmental economics. Oxford University Press: Oxford.

McDonald, John F. and Daniel P. McMillen, 2011. Urban economics and real estate: theory and policy. John Wiley & Sons, London, UK

McCann, P. (2001) Urban and regional economics.  Oxford University Press: Oxford.