All Things Urban

Led by senior faculty members of both LSE Cities and LSE London, the course draws on world-class research on the dynamics of growth in major urban centres. It explores long-term development goals of cities in the developed and developing world providing students with an understanding of the key challenges facing both mature and rapidly-developing metropolitan areas. Through lectures, seminars, workshops and site visits, the programme looks at how cities around the world are dealing with major urban challenges such as urban inequality, climate change and affordable housing. Through international project and policy case studies, students will gain a greater understanding of how cities are achieving long term sustainable outcomes through better analysis, planning and governance. **Major topics covered:** **Governance** How different tiers of government work effectively to bring positive change. The course will look at the functioning of public-private coalitions; different leadership models; the consequences of particular government systems; the challenge of reform; fiscal autonomy and relations with other tiers of government. **Planning & design** How cities plan for long term goals in an integrated way and how does urban form shape social, economic and environmental outcomes. Topics include: city planning, branding and image; making the city liveable; density vs sprawl; tall buildings, skyline and streetscape; metropolitan vs neighbourhood needs; preserving a balance of land uses; heritage vs modernity; the benefits and challenges posed by private developers in driving redevelopment; citizen involvement in planning; justifying quality design against other priorities. **Infrastructure** How cities finance and fund long term infrastructure. Topics include: how land use and infrastructure planning are brought together in integrated spatial plans; the development and maintenance of physical infrastructure; planning for rapid population growth; access to private finance; decision-making and climate change; private competition vs public management. **Transport** How cities coordinate their transport and development plans and promote compact and connected cities? Topics include: the co-benefits of transportation; dealing with congestion; assessing the appropriate role for private and public transport; planning ahead of population growth; shifting modalities from cars to sustainable transportation; cycling and walking; the use of fees and charges to provide incentives; the challenge of managing freight and deliveries. **Housing** How cities control increasing house prices. Topics include: managing land costs; subsidising homes for the poor; attracting and managing foreign buyers; density vs sprawl; matching housing to population growth and transport; regeneration of former industrial land and buildings. **Economic competitiveness** How cities promote inclusive growth? Topics include: competitive advantage of sectors; investment; better deal between the public and private sectors; innovation; the role of new industries; linking skills to jobs; the entrepreneurial city agency; development agencies and their role in economic development.

This executive course is suitable for: - Senior executives searching for insights into how cities are governed, planned and designed - International governments and intergovernmental organisations working in the field of urban development or sustainable urbanisation - Professionals within private sector companies, for example providers of city infrastructure, that are active in global urban markets - Individuals looking to understand the implications of rapid urban development on city governance and social inclusion.

All LSE executive education participants are required to have: - Fluency in English. - A good undergraduate degree or significant work experience in a relevant role(s). - Minimum two years’ professional experience. Typically our participants have more than ten years’ work experience. - If you're a participant on our virtual course, please ensure that you have access to a laptop or computer, with a webcam and a working microphone. You will also need a reliable internet connection.

The Urban95 Academy launched in January 2022 and has delivered the programme to 263 cities including 93 Mayors & Deputy Mayors from 71 countries across seven cohorts. Taking part in the Urban95 Academy connects you to a growing network of engaged and motivated urban practitioners around the world, who are working to improve the lives of young children and caregivers in their cities. [Find out more on our website](https://urban95academy.org/). [The London School of Economics and Political Science](https://www.lse.ac.uk/) is a social science university based in central London with a global reach. Ranked first in Europe and second in the world for social sciences and management in the QS subject rankings 2021. Since 1895 the LSE has been pioneering social science research, challenging existing ways of thinking, and seeking to understand the causes of things in order to transform them. [LSE Cities](https://www.lse.ac.uk/cities) is an international centre that investigates the complexities of the contemporary city. It carries out research, graduate and executive education, outreach and advisory activities in London and abroad. Extending LSE’s century-old commitment to the understanding of urban society, LSE Cities investigates how complex urban systems are responding to the pressures of growth, change and globalisation with new infrastructures of design and governance that both complement and threaten social equity and environmental sustainability. [The Van Leer Foundation](https://vanleerfoundation.org/) is an independent Dutch organisation working globally to foster inclusive societies where all children and communities can flourish. The Foundation brings together people with different perspectives and supports them to achieve large-scale impact. Their support involves a unique combination of funding, networks, executive education, technical assistance and knowledge.