Course content

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.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

You learn

• conomic 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 models

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.

Learning methods and activities

4 hours of lectures every week. The course has compulsory activity. Specific requirements will be announced at the beginning of the term.

The course is an optional PhD course, and it is not taught every autumn semester. SØK8628 follows the same teaching as SØK3528. Contact the department (kontakt@econ.ntnu.no) to get access to learning resources in Blackboard.

Compulsory assignments

• Obligatory course work

Further on evaluation

The course is reserved for PhD students. Contact kontakt@econ.ntnu.no if you want to take the course.

Approved compulsory activity applies to later semesters.

Recommended previous knowledge

Compulsory courses in Master’s degree in Economics.

Required previous knowledge

None.

Course materials

Announced at the beginning of the term.