Bachelor
2024/2025
Urban Policy and Governance in the BRICS Countries
Type:
Elective course
Area of studies:
International Relations
Delivered by:
Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs
When:
4 year, 3 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Open to:
students of one campus
Instructors:
Ana Livia Araujo Esteves
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
4
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course provides an introduction to Urban Planning, Urban Policy and Governance, focusing on the experiences of the BRICS Countries. The course aims at introducing the main challenges and achievements of each individual BRICS country in the area of urban planning, considering their unique urbanization and demographic trajectories. Furthermore, the course explores the experience of international cooperation among BRICS countries in the areas of urban planning, urban policy and governance, exploring the potential of the BRICS forum to foster greater coordination in this area.
Learning Objectives
- Achieve an introductory knowledge on Urban Planning theory and practices, focusing on the challenges experienced by emerging economies and the particular experiences of the BRICS countries.
- Acknowledge the instruments at the disposal of the BRICS forum as a platform for its members to share best practices and execute projects aiming at enhancing its cities economic productivity, environmental sustainability and social equality.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Characterize the main concepts basing Urban Planning theory and practice, recognizing the specific challenges in the area of urban policy and governance faced by emerging economies in general, and the BRICS countries in particular.
- Identify the correlations between demographic transition, urban transition and economic development, applying it to the analysis of the experience of each BRICS country individually.
- Characterize the urbanization process of each BRICS country individually, analyzing its historical determinants, particular challenges and urban planning practices. Identify the common challenges faced by the BRICS countries during their urban transitions and determine key areas for intra-BRICS cooperation.
- Identify the role of international cooperation in the field of urban planning, recognizing the main international platforms that foster cooperation, financing and best practices sharing.
- Recognize the particularities of the BRICS forum as an international organization, identifying the advantages of its flexible structure to the promotion of common initiatives in the field of urban policy and governance.
Course Contents
- What is Urban Planning? How can we define and pursue the public interest?
- What are the correlations between urban transition, demographic transition and economic development?
- What is the experience of the BRICS countries in the area of urban planning?
- How does international cooperation can enhance the productivity, sustainability and equality in the urban space?
- How does the BRICS countries coordinate their urban policies?
Assessment Elements
- Participation in the seminarsStudents are expected to participate in every seminar and read one essay per week, according to the course’s schedule. The students are expected to debate the literature in class, not only developing on their content, but also asking questions and clarifying eventual doubts. Reading the assigned literature is a mandatory requirement of the course. The presence and participation in the seminars will contribute to the final grade.
- Group presentationStudents will work in groups to debate the literature proposed by the course and develop on specific concepts of urban planning and urban policy. The students will also work in groups to explore the experiences of each BRICS country specifically, deepening their common knowledge on the BRICS countries urban and economic history. In class group work and group presentations will contribute to the final grade.
- Group debateStudents will work in groups to debate the literature proposed by the course and develop on specific concepts of urban planning and urban policy. The students will also work in groups to explore the experiences of each BRICS country specifically, deepening their common knowledge on the BRICS countries urban and economic history. In class group work and group presentations will contribute to the final grade.
- ExamThe final exam will consist of four essay questions regarding previously studied urban planning concepts and the experience of urban transition of a specific BRICS country. The students will receive a specific literature to read prior to the exam. The exam will evaluate the student’s capacity to understand and analyze literature on urban planning and urban transition focusing on the BRICS experience.
Interim Assessment
- 2024/2025 3rd module0.3 * Exam + 0.2 * Group debate + 0.2 * Group presentation + 0.3 * Participation in the seminars
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- The Oxford Handbook of Urban Planning / Ed. by Randall Crane and Rachel Weber. – Oxford, et al.: Oxford University Press, 2012. – ISBN 978-0-19-537499-5. – Режим доступа: http://proxylibrary.hse.ru:2089/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195374995.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780195374995
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Urban planning, , 2008