GY447 Half Unit
The Economics of Regional and Urban Planning
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Felipe Carozzi
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Regional And Urban Planning Studies. This course is available on the CEMS Exchange, MBA Exchange, MPhil/PhD in Economic Geography, MSc in Development Management (Political Economy), MSc in Development Management (Political Economy) (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Human Geography and Urban Studies (Research), MSc in Local Economic Development and MSc in Urban Policy (LSE and Sciences Po). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply: Priority: MSc Local Economic Development then other students. Priority is typically for students enrolled in Geography and Environment programmes, or joint degree programmes, however course specific availability is indicated via the 'Availability section' on the LSE course guide webpages. Guidance on how to apply to individual controlled access courses can also be found on LSE for You in the Graduate Course Selection system.
Please note: The number of students that can be accommodated is limited. If a course is over-subscribed, places will be allocated at the Department's discretion and a waiting list may be created. It is advised to have an alternative course in mind as a back-up in case you are unable to secure your first-choice course selection.
Deadline for application: Further guidance and information on course selection for Geography and Environment courses (GY4xx) will be available on the Geography and Environment Course Selection Moodle page which will go live from Monday 8 September and will be updated with course availability information daily throughout the course selection period. This page includes information on the timeline for course selection decisions in the Geography and Environment Department as well as the individual course application processes and requirements
A list of all taught master's courses in this Department are listed on LSE's course guide webpages.
For queries contact: geog.rups@lse.ac.uk
The number of students that can be accommodated is limited. If the course is over-subscribed, places will be allocated at the Department’s discretion and a waiting list may be created. For further details, please contact your relevant Programme Coordinator
Requisites
Additional requisites:
Students should normally have completed an introductory course in economics or attend the pre-sessional GY447 sessions and classes to obtain a minimal familiarity with the content.
Course content
The course aims to provide an economic framework in which to analyse the structure of economic activity within the urban and regional context; the impact of this structure on urban form; the role of government at the local level and local economic policy applications. Topics include: The determinants of industrial, commercial and residential location. The interaction between activities within a spatial context. The economics of land markets and of the development process. The determinants of rents and densities. Economic models of urban structure. Sources of market failure in the urban economy. The rationale of government intervention. Techniques of intervention in the urban and environmental context. The role of the public sector: pricing, allocation, production and investment decisions. Urban and regional economic policy issues.
Teaching
In the Department of Geography and Environment, teaching will be delivered through a combination of classes/seminars, pre-recorded lectures, live online lectures and other supplementary interactive live activities.
This course is delivered through a combination of seminars and lectures across Autumn Term only.
The course will also feature a pre-sessional element in week 0 of Autumn Term and a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
Formative assessment
A 1 hour, in person formative exam will be carried out during Winter Term.
Indicative reading
1) A O'Sullivan Urban Economics;
2) J Brueckner, Lectures in Urban Economics
3) J F McDonald and Daniel P. McMillen, Urban Economics and Real Estate;
4) J Stiglitz, Economics of the Public Sector;
5) Pindyck & Rubinfeld Microeconomics, Suslow & Hamilton Study Guide.
6) D DiPasquale & W C Wheaton, Urban Economics and Real Estate Markets;
More detailed readings will be provided during the course.
Assessment
Exam (100%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Key facts
Department: Geography and Environment
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 41
Average class size 2024/25: 21
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Problem solving