Urban Studies: Planning and Living in Cities

About

In this program students will explore housing, planning and policy issues in European cities as well as consider how these apply in other regions of the world. With a focus on real urban contexts, the course will examine subjects such as neighbourhood development and regeneration, housing finance and policy, urban planning and sustainability, and the impact of household and demographic change. Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most vibrant and attractive cities, providing a fascinating laboratory for the exploration and examination of urban issues.

This programme includes lectures on the following topics:

City spaces and urban places
Urban development and redevelopment in a European context
Homes, housing and household issues
Neighbourhoods and neighbourhood development
Housing finance and policy
Non-profit housing associations
City living, social segregation and inequality

After engaging with expert faculty and guest lecturers in the morning, participants will go on relevant excursions such as neighbourhood tours throughout Amsterdam and other cities within the Netherlands to gain insight into different urban environments, putting theories learned in class in practice.

Course leader

Dr. Amber Howard is a researcher in Social Policy at the University of Bristol, United Kingdom. Her research centers around housing and inequality, with a particular focus on generational and socio-economic divides. She recently completed a joint PhD from the University of Melbourne (Department of Health Policy) and the University of Amsterdam (Department of Geography, Planning, and International Development Studies), exploring these themes. Before her doctoral studies, Amber earned a Masters degree in Urban Planning at the University of Amsterdam (cum laude) and began her career conducting research for an architectural firm focused on sustainable community development. Amber has taught and co-coordinated in Masters programs Urban Planning and Public Health at the University of Melbourne, engaging with interdisciplinary perspectives on urban policy, planning, and justice. She is now the coordinator of the Winter School program Key Topics in Urban Studies, and academic director of the Summer School programs Urban Changemakers and Urban Studies: Planning and Living in Cities.

Target group

Level: Advanced Bachelors and Masters and working professionals.

Background: Students should have a strong background in the arts and/or social sciences, with a particular focus on expanding their (existing) knowledge in urban studies. Working professionals with a foundation in this field who wish to continue their education are also welcome to apply.

Course aim

In this three-week programme, students will explore the fundamental issues that are shaping the development and evolution of cities in the 21st century. With a focus on real urban places, set in both contemporary and historical contexts, the course will examine subjects such as neighbourhood development and regeneration, housing finance and policy, city planning and sustainability, and the impact of household and demographic change on urban lives and spaces.

Fee info