Economics & Governance cluster

The PhD programme features three different thematic areas of expertise, each represented by a department within IHS.

The Urban Economics and Governance thematic area focuses on how cities and urban areas develop economically and how governance processes shape urban development. The urban economy is triggered by technological innovation, changes in resource availability and the political landscape; these, in turn, bring about structural change in the economy. Changes can have severe consequences for industries and jobs and further affect equality. They equally present opportunities for new business creation, development of innovation clusters, and learning.

Against this background, the department looks at how cities and city-regions can become resilient to shocks and manage economic transitions to achieve sustainable development models. The focus is on entrepreneurship and labour markets, the role of innovation, and the embedding of cities in global value chains. The department also explores the role of land markets in the urban economy, land development processes and real estate development. Governance, the second theme of this department, focuses on the complex interactions of urban stakeholders in cities and the processes by which decisions are made within a specific social and economic context.

This focus is central to understanding how to improve the policies, networks, and managerial and administrative structures in place to guide cities. The study of multi-level governance creates insights into micro-, meso- and macro-level policies, their impact on competitiveness or collaboration between cities, and urban resilience. Finally, the department also studies urban-rural disparities to understand spatial interdependencies.

Questions within this department include: How can cities foster their local economies? How do different shocks affect urban economies and societies, and what can city regions do to mitigate these? How do governance processes shape urban areas? How can cities improve their governance to support sustainable (economic) development and become more agile? Which factors and processes explain inclusiveness and equality within and between cities?

Find out more about theĀ Urban Economics and Governance Department.

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