| Course information | |
|---|---|
| Period | Block 2 |
| Timeline | March |
| Number of ECTS | 5 ECTS |
| Coordinator | Dr Paula Nagler |
| Lecturers | Dr Paula Nagler and Dr Anitra Baliga |
| Methodology | Lectures, workshops |
Course description
This course examines urban inequality from multiple perspectives, exploring why larger cities tend to be more unequal, how these disparities have grown over time, and the mechanisms that produce and sustain them.
The course begins by asking how inequality is measured, introducing monetary and non-monetary indicators that capture disparities in income, wealth, life opportunities, and access to services. It then explores how the spatial structure of cities shapes unequal outcomes and determines who benefits from urban opportunities. The course continues by examining economic drivers of inequality, focusing on how technological change and shifting labour markets restructure employment opportunities and increase wage disparities within cities. Attention is also given to the role of institutions in distributing power and income, showing how rules and regulations shape patterns of inequality. Finally, the course considers governance and policy, examining how cities are managed and how inequality is both reproduced and contested.
The final part of the course offers a deep dive into two key areas of urban inequality. First, migration, which reshapes urban populations, labour markets, and inequality patterns. Second, the housing market, a major driver of urban inequality, including issues of affordability, displacement, gentrification, and the growing role of finance in housing.
Learning objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Explain key concepts and measures of urban inequality across monetary and non-monetary dimensions.
- Analyse how the spatial structure of cities produces and reinforces social and economic disparities.
- Assess the impact of technological change on labour market and inequality.
- Examine how institutions influence the distribution of power and resources in cities.
- Evaluate the role of governance and policy in shaping and addressing urban inequality.
- Apply theoretical frameworks to real-world cases, with a focus on migration and housing.
Course content
This course is a deepening module of the Urban Socio-Spatial Transformations specialisation and organised around five central topics:
- Inequality Measurement - How to measure inequality
- Urban Spatial Structure - How does space create inequality
- Technology & Labour Markets - How does technological change reshape employment and inequality
- Institutions - How do institutions distribute power and income
- Governance & Policy - How do cities govern and contest inequality
The course also focuses on migration and housing to explore these themes in real-world contexts.