Urban Politics and Urban Development

Professor Introduction

A. Z | Ph.D.  

Home Institute： Bartlett School of Planning, University College London

Project Description

What does politics mean for urban development, and how does urban development shape politics? This course aims to understand the cities we live in from multiple perspectives, exploring new ideas to help build healthier urban societies. Combining theories from political science, sociology, and urban planning, the course addresses various issues faced by contemporary urbanization. It uses critical thinking to analyze the political and economic factors behind urban changes and examines the demands and actions of stakeholders. The course also introduces research methods used in social sciences to assist students in conducting their research. By the end of the course, students will produce a research paper.

Project Keywords

Project Outline

Part 1: Introduction to Urban Politics and Development
•  Overview of fundamental concepts in urban politics and development.
•  Key principles and historical context of urbanization.
•  Applications and relevance to current urban research.

Part 2: Theoretical Frameworks
•  Detailed exploration of theories in political science, sociology, and urban planning related to urban development.
•  Techniques and methodologies specific to urban political economy.
•  Case studies illustrating the application of these theories.

Part 3:  Urbanization Challenges and Political Economy
•  In-depth analysis of contemporary urbanization issues.
•  Examination of political and economic factors driving urban changes.
•  Real-world examples and case studies.

Part 4:   Stakeholder Analysis in Urban Development
•  Identification and analysis of key stakeholders in urban development.
•  Examination of stakeholders' demands and actions.
•  Development of new analytical methods for stakeholder analysis.

Part 5:  Research Methods in Urban Studies
•  Introduction to research methods used in social sciences.
•  Techniques for data collection and analysis in urban studies.
•  Practical exercises to develop research skills.

Part 6:  Case Studies in Urban Politics
•  Comparative analysis of urban development in different cities.
•  Examination of how politics influences urban development and vice versa.
•  Discussion on policy implications and best practices.

Part 7: Empirical Results and Discussion
•  Presentation and interpretation of research findings.
•  Discussion of the significance and impact of findings.
•  Identification of research limitations and suggestions for improvement.

Part 8:  Policy Recommendations and Urban Planning
•  Development of policy recommendations based on research findings.
•  Discussion on how to improve urban planning practices.
•  Practical suggestions for urban planners and policymakers.

Part 9:  Future Research Directions
•  Discussion of current trends and challenges in urban politics and development.
•  Identification of open problems and future research directions.
•  Encouragement for student-led research projects.

Part 10:  Conclusion and Summary
•  Summary of the main findings and conclusions.
•  Discussion of contributions to urban studies and political science.
•  Recommendations for future research and practice.

Part 11: Research Paper and Presentation
•  Guidance on writing a well-structured research paper.
•  Tips for effective academic writing.
•  Instructions on preparing and delivering an engaging oral presentation.

Suitable for

High School Students:  
•  Interested in political science, sociology, and urban studies, preparing for advanced studies or competitions.
• Basic knowledge of political and sociological principles.

University Students:
• Majoring in political science, sociology, urban planning, or related fields, seeking to deepen understanding and engage in research.
• Familiar with basic political theory and sociological concepts.

Researchers and Educators:
• In-depth knowledge of urban politics and development.
• Looking to integrate current research trends into their teaching and academic work.