URBS 456 - Economics & Urban Affairs

Institution:

University of Pennsylvania

Subject:

Description:

Angelides. This course discusses contemporary urban issues from an economics perspective, with the dual goal of illuminating the economic foundations of civic affairs and enhancing a student's economic literacy through the use of everyday examples. The first part of the course discusses the broad theory of urban economics by focusing on individual decision makers, both households and businesses, and the incentives they face as the key to understanding how cities operate economically. Significant topics include economic development, zoning, and land use. The second part of the course discusses several topics in detail, including transportation, government taxation and spending, housing, education, cost-benefit analysis, labor, and social choice. We will use current local issues as examples in the course. These issues will include tax reform, charter schools, the development of the Delaware riverfront, the ten-year tax abatements for new construction and rehabilitation, the real estate "bubble", tax increment financing, Keystone Opportunity Zones, "Pay to play" and the convention center expansion. At the conclusion of the course the student will: Be able to apply economic thinking to the analysis of civic issues; Understand how economic forces shaped and continue to shape the urban environment; Appreciate the role of government as an enabler or a hindrance. Note that the emphasis of the course is on the usefulness of economic thought, and as such focuses more on policy implications than abstract economic modeling. The course will teach any necessary economic tools, though an introductory course in microeconomics is helpful.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.upenn.edu

Phone Number:

(215) 898-5000

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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