GEOG40940

Cities represent one of the greatest challenges and opportunities for humanity. By 2050, 70% of the world's population will be urban and face major challenges including climate change, inequality, quality of life, transport and sustainable economic development. Sustainable development can only be progressed if cities are at the centre of attempts to address these societal and environmental issues.

This fieldcourse explores major urban issues in an international context, focusing on Europe's global city - London. We examine the city in its global context, but also focus on the national and local context. While London is often held up as the 'problem' for other parts of the UK that now need to be 'levelled up', there also exists significant income disparity and inequality within the boundaries of the city itself. During the module we will examine this broader context, as well as the planning and development context (London Plan) and topical issues: housing, air pollution, environmental justice, land use planning, social change, migration and economic development.

There is an additional cost associated with this module, which will not exceed €500, and covers the cost of an in-person fieldtrip to London during the trimester, subject to public health conditions. An alternative online fieldtrip will take place if restrictions preclude travel.