Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2023 - ECON 437 D100

Seminar in Urban Economics (3)

Class Number: 3377

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Fri, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 201 or ECON 301, with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The first section of the course is lectures on urban economics. Topics will include: individual behaviour in geographical space; the structure of urban equilibrium; income heterogeneity over space; and environmental issues. The second section is student presentations of a paper and class discussions of urban issues. Students with credit for ECON 483 under the title Urban Economics may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

The course will be broken into two sections. In the first section I will lecture to provide students with an understanding of a standard urban economics model. The second section will consist of student presentations and class discussions of urban issues. It is hoped that the lectures in the first section will provide students with an understanding and a useful tool in undertaking their study. I will advise students on their choice of a topic. Students will also write brief critiques of presentations.

Course Outline:
1. INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOUR IN GEOGRAPHICAL SPACE
(a) The Landscape
(b) Individual Preferences with Residential Land
(c) Feasibility with Transportation Costs
(d) Best Feasible Consumption at a Given Location
(e) Best Feasible Location
2. THE STRUCTURE OF URBAN EQUILIBRIUM
(a) Urban Population
(b) Urban Land
(c) Cassetti Equilibrium
(d) Land Rents and Population Density in Space
(e) Aggregate Relationships in Urban Equilibrium
(f) Stages of Urbanization
(g) Changes with Stage of Urbanization
3. URBAN EQUILIBRIUM EXTENSIONS (if time permits)
(a) Income Heterogeneity
(b) Environmental Quality

Grading

  • Exam at the end of the first section of the course 40%
  • Essay 40%
  • Presentation 10%
  • Quality of Critiques 10%

NOTES:

Student grades will be determined by an exam at the end of the first section of the course (40%), an essay on a selected topic (40%), the presentation (10%), and the quality of critiques (10%). The dates for the exam and presentations will be determined during the second week of classes.
Student participation in this course will require computer equipment and a reliable internet connection. You may be requested to turn on audio and/or video during certain instructional activities, that may include tests and examinations, though exceptions will be accommodated. If you request such an exception for personal reasons, you must do so in writing to the course instructor by May 20, 2022.

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Please note that, as per Policy T20.01, the course requirements (and grading scheme) outlined here are subject to change up until the end of the first week of classes.

Final exam schedules will be released during the second month of classes. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the entire final exam period until you receive confirmation of your exam dates. 

Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) at 778-782-3112 or caladmin@sfu.ca.

***NO TUTORIALS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES***

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html