The discipline of economics offers perspectives and tools that are of great usefulness to urban and regional planning. Economics suggests circumstances in which unplanned solutions are likely to be better than what planners can accomplish as well as instances in which planning is called for. In addition, economics can inform the design of and choice among planning interventions, thus broadening and improving the effectiveness of the planner’s toolkit. At the same time, economics is constructed on assumptions that urban planners may dispute, and economists frequently tend to construe ever-present uncertainty differently from urban planners. As a consequence, planners and economists do not always see eye-to-eye. This course introduces the student to basic concepts, perspectives and tools of economics and their application to the practice of urban and regional planning. In addition, the course presents critiques of and alternatives to the economics paradigm. The student completing the course should gain an understanding of the public policy issues that emerge from these debates together with an ability to apply economics perspectives and tools critically to planning problems.
Meets
Mon, Wed 1:00-2:30pm 2108 A&AB