AG2116 City Networks in Regional Contexts 7.5 credits

The course is focused on cities and city networks and their role for sustainable development, competitiveness and territorial cohesion. Different guiding principles for urban and regional development are discussed in relation to prevailing national and EU policies. Among these the concept of polycentric functional urban regions is discussed which is of great importance for rising the competitive power of the European Union according to the Lisbon agenda. The preconditons for a polycentric development differ, however, with regard to location, size, density, accesssibility and structure and this is highlighted in the course from an analytical point of view. There will be course elements aiming at providing insights into how various urban structures will reshape the economic and social conditions in metropolitan regions as well as in smaller settlements and rural areas in differing regional and national contexts where the preconditions are of quite different character.

The increasing integration on regional, European and global level are of great importance both for cities in networks and individual cities with respect to strenghten the competetiveness and the image of cities of various kinds and locations. Urban planning, including city marketing and urban reconstruction strategies, will also be discussed in the course. This is also valid regarding peripheral cities where the precondions for city networking differ compared to cities in more densely populated regions where the accessiblity is better. This means that various cities, city systems and city networks will be analysed and evaluated both in lectures, literature and paper writings.

The project will contain both lectures and paper writings. Project assistants will be available to supervise the student groups.

After completing the course students shall:

- be aware of different theories concerning urban development, change and territorial cohesion and its impact on the development at macro, meso- and micro- level

- be able to analyse the interaction between individual cities in networks and their role for regional development

- be capable to analyse and evaluate the preconditions for different cities to rise their competitiveness on national and international level and cities as drivers for development

- be acquainted with different urban structure concepts and be able to apply them i planning and

- be acquired of knowledge on city marketing and be able to develop strategies for strengthening the competitive position of individual cities

In total 150 ECTS-credits, including 30 ECTS-credits within the subject architecture, urban and regional planning or environmental science

 English 6

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• INL3 - Individual Assignment, 2.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• LAB1 - Computer Lab, 1.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
• PRO2 - Group Assignment, 4.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Hans Westlund

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.

It will be required to make use of computer capacity for writing, analysis and presentation.