Urbanization and Economic Geography

The course covers urban economic theories on land use and migration, as well as empirical analysis of urban wage premium and measures of quality of life. Why are wages higher in urban areas? How does quality of life depend on population density? The course explores why cities exist, their internal structure and a variety of urban policy issues.

Knowledge

You learn

• Economic reasons for the existence of cities, including the sources of agglomeration economies
• The monocentric-city model of urban land use - Empirical evidence of the urban wage premium
• About demand for housing and hedonic price analysis
• How to measure urban quality of life based on the migration equilibrium model

Skills

You should be able to

• Explain and discuss central theories and models of urban land use, migration, and housing demand
• Analyze a broad set of urban policy issues by using relevant economic models
• Explain and discuss empirical findings and methodological challenges in estimations of the urban wage premium and the urban quality of life

General competence

You should be able to

• read and understand reports and research articles dealing with issues discussed in the course
• use the content of the course in your own academic work like your master thesis

4 hours of lectures every week. The course has compulsory activity. Specific requirements will be announced at the beginning of the term. The term papers can be written as a joint project. The course is an optional master's course, and is not taught every autumn semester. Check www.ntnu.edu/econ.

Students enrolled in ISØ's master programs can take the course any semester. Contact the department (kontakt@econ.ntnu.no) to get access to learning resources in Blackboard.