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Applied Economics

Module Code: ECU44181/ECU44183

Module Name: Applied Economics

• ECTS weighting: 10/5
• Semester/term taught: Semester 1
• Contact Hours: 22 hours of lectures and 4 hours of tutorials
• Module Personnel: Lecturers – Martina Kirchberger & Juan Duran

Module Content

We will start by exploring the theoretical foundations of agglomeration economies and empirical evidence. In other words, what are the forces that cause individuals and firms to cluster at high densities? Can we distinguish between different types of forces? We will examine the role of cities in economic growth and how urbanization processes in low-income countries nowadays differ from those experienced by now industrialized countries. We will talk about how transport networks shape the spatial distribution of economic activity. We will also examine how cities affect the environment, and how the environment influences urbanization. Across these topics, we will investigate the role of new sources of large datasets (often referred to as “big data”) in an urban context.

Learning Outcomes

10 ECTS
Having successfully completed this module, students will be able to:

• Discuss the theoretical foundations of agglomeration economies and empirical evidence
• Outline how urbanization processes differ across time and space and their relationship with economic development
• Understand transport infrastructure policies and how to empirically evaluate their impact
• Analyze how cities affect the environment and how the environment shapes city growth
• Examine the use of big data in an urban context
• Discuss the results of empirical models
• Propose original research ideas or policies in the field of Urban Economics.

5 ECTS
Having successfully completed this module, students will be able to:

• Discuss the theoretical foundations of agglomeration economies and empirical evidence
• Outline how urbanization processes differ across time and space and their relationship with economic development
• Understand transport infrastructure policies and how to empirically evaluate their impact
• Analyze how cities affect the environment and how the environment shapes city growth
• Examine the use of big data in an urban context
• Discuss the results of empirical models

Recommended Reading List

A full reading list will be provided at the start of lectures. Here you can find some general background readings:

• Ed Glaeser, Triumph of the City. Penguin, 2011.
• Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, 1961.
• Rosenthal, Stuart S., and William C. Strange. 'Evidence on the nature and sources of agglomeration economies.' Handbook of regional and urban economics 4 (2004): 2119-2171.
• The Handbook of Regional & Urban Economics (In particular for Part B). Chapters are available at the following link http://real-faculty.wharton.upenn.edu/duranton/handbook-of-regional-urban-economics-volume-5/.  – this will act as a useful starting point for many topics.

Module Pre Requisite

SF Intermediate Economics

Assessment Details

10 ETCS:

• 10% Tutorial Presentation
• 20% Referee Report
• 20% Course Project
• 50% Examination

5 ETCS:

• 10% Tutorial Presentation
• 40% Referee Report
• 50% Examination

Module Website

Blackboard

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