Urban Policy, Politics, and Public Servi

Urban Pol & Public Servic

Policy plus politics equals governance. Good governance requires knowledgeable, ethical, and committed public servants—whether elected, appointed, or serving through nonprofits and NGOs—who can lead with vision, provide services, and uphold public trust. This course explores the motivations, responsibilities, and career pathways in public service, with a focus on real-world challenges at the local, state, and federal levels.

Taught by the Honorable Michael A. Nutter, former Mayor of Philadelphia and past President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the course draws on his experience in office and across national public leadership roles. Students will examine how individuals and institutions shape policy decisions around education, housing, transportation, healthcare, and more, especially in moments of crisis.

The course is structured in three phases: Municipal Administration; Stakeholders, Political Parties, and Ethics; and Implementing Innovation and Transformative Policy. It encourages students to reflect on their own paths into public service.

• W 10 a.m.-11:50 a.m.
• Instructor: Michael A Nutter
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• 3 points

Urban Economics

More than 80 percent of the U.S. population lives in urban areas, which generate nearly 90 percent of the nation’s GDP. This course introduces the field of urban economics, which explores why cities exist, how they grow, and the economic forces that shape them.

The course begins by examining the distribution of people and firms across space and the incentives behind urban location decisions. It then turns to how housing and production activities are arranged within cities, how land is valued, and how it is allocated. The course also addresses the role of local government, including the provision of services, regulation, and municipal finance.

Selected topics such as housing, transportation, income inequality, segregation, and urban sustainability help students apply theoretical and empirical models to real policy challenges. By the end of the course, students will be able to interpret urban economic models, evaluate policies using efficiency and equity frameworks, and apply their knowledge to a specific issue in urban policy.

• T 7:10 p.m.-9 p.m.
• Instructor: Francesco Brindisi
  CULPA: 1 Info
• 3 points

Comparative Urban Policy

Studying not just global cities such as New York, London, and Tokyo, but especially developing global cities like Rio de Janeiro, Cairo, Jakarta, Dubai, Shanghai, and Mumbai, has never been more important. Over half of the world’s population is now urban, and twelve of the world’s sixteen largest cities are outside of the “affluent core” (i.e. Western Europe, the U.S., Canada, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand). As developing cities continue to expand, we must acknowledge the critical role that they play as sociocultural centers and as nodes in the world economy. We should also recognize that, in spite of these cities’ conspicuous differences, many of them share a set of challenges including: sprawl, poor sanitation, poverty, inequality, pollution, corruption, and crime. This course in comparative urban policy will help you develop a keener understanding of these challenges while also introducing you to some innovative solutions.

Our focus will be on how academics and analysts study and debate urban policy. Global developing cities will serve as the central geopolitical context for our discussion on governance strategies. We will explore questions such as: What political strategies do citizens have available to influence their city governments? Are the structures of governance in developing cities designed to respond to citizens’ needs? How do governments redistribute resources and responsibilities from federal to regional and local institutions to balance urban growth and social equity? How do governments and the private sector respond to the need for infrastructure and social services? What are the problems with publicly vs. privately operated infrastructure and services? What is the role of local institutions and civil society in addressing problems of the slums and housing crises caused by heightened urban growth? How do urban governments and private actors prevent center city decay? Who benefits from mega-projects? What sort of innovations can help improve service delivery, ensure environmental sustainability, and promote orderly growth in developing cities? How do governments, international organizations, and social movements impact urban policies to resolve problems of segregation, displacement, and economic inequality?

• R 10 a.m.-11:50 a.m.
• Instructor: Vojislava Filipcevic
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• 3 points

Policy Through Partnerships for the Liva

Urban Policy Partnerships

This course explores the growing role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in addressing urban challenges across housing, education, and economic development. Students will examine how cities are responding to crises with innovative, cross-sector collaborations, and analyze the implications for governance, equity, and service delivery. Drawing on recent trends and practical examples, the course equips students with tools to assess partnership models, evaluate policy tradeoffs, and develop effective interventions. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, negotiation, and strategic planning in the context of building livable cities through collaborative approaches.

• T 1:10 p.m.-3 p.m.
• Instructor: Ashley R Macquarrie-Tomey
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• 3 points

Comparative Social Welfare Policy

• T 5:10 p.m.-7 p.m.
• Instructor: Yumiko T Shimabukuro
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• 3 points