Geographies of Economies: Urban and Regional Planning

In this course, you deepen your understanding of how urban and regional planning relates to contemporary theories in economic geography. You study how economic, social and ecological processes interact in different types of regions, and how planning can support sustainable development in diverse territorial contexts. 

Core and non-core regions are examined to highlight how varying conditions influence planning strategies. Throughout the course, you engage with theories that explain urban and regional dynamics and learn to relate them to practical planning approaches in different societal settings.  

The course is taught in the second term of the Master's Programme in Human Geography and is also offered as a freestanding course.  

Course literature

The course literature listed may be updated up to eight weeks before the course begins.

Teaching includes lectures, seminars and excursions. In the lectures, you are introduced to the theoretical foundations of economic geography and planning. Seminars encourage critical reflections on these perspectives and application to real-world developments relevant for sustainable urban and regional planning. Meetings with practitioners through visits, guest lectures and excursions give you insight into how planning challenges are addressed in practice. 

Active participation in seminars, guest lectures and excursions is compulsory. The course is assessed through a written take-home exam and seminar contributions. 

You will study at the Department of Human Geography at Geocentrum I in central Lund – a place that brings together lecturers, researchers and students from all over the world in a stimulating and international study environment.

After completing the course, you will be able to analyse current developments in urban and regional planning from an economic geography perspective and evaluate their implications for sustainable development. You strengthen your ability to communicate scientific arguments, monitor research developments and critically assess planning approaches and their theoretical foundations. 

These skills prepare you for further master’s studies, research-oriented work or professional roles where advanced knowledge of planning, sustainability and regional development is essential — for example in public planning agencies, consultancy, regional development, policy analysis or international organisations. 

Prerequisites

At least 150 credits, including a Bachelor thesis in Human Geography or the equivalent. English 6/English course B.

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to: ECTS (HPAV): 100 %.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 15,625
First payment: SEK 15,625

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.