Urban Development and Policies

The geographical location of cities is currently understood as one of a multitude of factors influencing urban growth prospects. In the framework of this course, ‘global cities’ and secondary urban networks are approached as key relational and influential nodes. The role and traits of urban governance and planning in structuring urban fortunes is examined. Special emphasis is placed on EU urban policies, and on the influence they exert on planning interventions in Greek cites. In the seminars’ part, students are asked to choose, develop and present in the classroom a concrete urban intervention case, illustrative of the quest to growth and competitiveness. The presentation of these tangible urban policy examples intents to involve students in a lively dialogue, engaging them actively in the course. Upon completion of the course, students will be adequately familiar with the traits of new urban development policies, also handling confidently and critically the texts/reports that accompany them.

Objectives

The course “Urban development and Policies” is composed of two strands. The “taught”, lecture-type section of the course explores in detail the key issues identified in the literature as relevant to current urban development challenges, prioritizations and responses. In the seminars’ part, students are asked to choose, develop and present in the classroom a concrete urban intervention case, illustrative of the quest to growth and competitiveness. The presentation of these tangible urban policy examples intents to involve students in a lively dialogue, engaging them actively in the course. Upon completion of the course, students will be adequately familiar with the traits of new urban development policies, also handling confidently and critically the texts/reports that accompany them.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Syllabus

Introduction Urbanization, planning the industrial city. Globalization Global cities Urban form and governance in the new metropolis Globalization and neoliberal urban policies European integration and territorial competition EU urban policy initiatives Urban networking and lobbying Brussels New spatial policy trends: “territorial cohesion” Urban competition and Greek cities The Mediterranean city thesis Greek cities: Competitiveness and planning Greek cities in EU programmes and networks “Kallikratis”: Rescaling and competitiveness