ECO 340 Urban Economics & Sustainability

In 1961, Jane Jacobs published her book The Death and Life of Great American Cities.  It has never gone out of print.  In her opening paragraph she wrote that her book “is an attack on current city planning and rebuilding”. Ironically, the efforts of urban planners did not result in a rebuilding of cities, but rather resulted in the “sacking of cities”.  Strong words. The purpose of this course is for the student to understand the economic concepts and principles of wise urban planning so that decisions made when dealing with problems facing cities (and towns) will be both thoughtful and informed resulting, hopefully, in a sustainable urban community Ms. Jacobs would be proud of.