A86031 Economics and the city - How to use financial and economic analysis to shape cities

Scuola di Economia e Management
Syllabus
Academic Year 2016/17 First Semester

Learning Objectives

The course is designed to foster students’ ability to integrate theory and conceptual understanding with practical experience and implementation. Note: practical application sessions are based on case studies and in class team work. 

Practical application. Students learn how to manage a set of tools for the financial and economic analysis of territorial investment projects. The course requires university level knowledge of corporate financial analysis and statistics for social sciences. Theory. The students learn some basic theory in urban economics, economic geography and industrial policy. 

 

Learning targets

The course aims to provide students with the economic and financial analysis tools necessary to design, assess and manage investment projects that depend on local economic factors and influence local economic development. Both corporate and public investment projects will be considered, particularly those with real estate and infrastructural components. The objective is to empower students with the capacity to interpret and carry out territory-based investment projects. The course integrates different disciplines (regional and urban economics, corporate finance, urban planning) endowing students with an original set of analytical tools to be implemented in the field.

Course Content

Both public and private sectors need well-trained professionals to analyze and manage investment projects rooted in specific urban territory and aimed at boosting local economic performance. These professionals help optimize ROI, reduce investment risk, and maximize positive economic impact, which in turn help cities, regions, or real estate owners/developers and attract private investment.

The course is organized in six sessions and will cover the following topics:
- Using socio-economic market research tools to examine a territorial investment project;
- Building and analyzing a financial and economic feasibility study and an economic impact study; 
- Gathering and interpreting local economic data and statistics;
- Assessing relationships between urban planning and urban economics;
- Scouting economic opportunities and attracting investment capital.

Course Delivery

The course will consist of six three-hour sessions that merge theory and practical application.

Course Evaluation

Final evaluation is based on a group work that students will deliver at the end of the course (usually three or four week after the course ends). 

Syllabus

Session 1
Hours of lesson: 0
Instructor:

Topics:

Course Plan

Lesson 1: Round up of two central issues: the economics of cities and territories; feasibility studies of territory-based investment projects. 

Lesson 2: The economics of cities and regions. Urban analysis. 

Lesson 3: Types of territory-based projects; Economic impact analysis and local multipliers.

Lesson 4: Market research and feasibility studies.

Lesson 5: Feasibility studies of territory-based investments: case studies.

Lesson 6: Final class work on the feasibility study of the selected projects.
 

Readings:


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