EC/US 311 - Business and Economics of South African Cities

This course covers a range of themes that reflect the diverse and complex nature of the South African cities’ economic landscape. Students will consider the historical, geographical, governance, and firm-level perspectives when unpacking the growth, performance, and inclusiveness of urban economies in pre- and post-Apartheid South Africa.
Students interested in urban studies and its relationship to economics will learn to understand “the economy” as linked to other important systems and focus primarily on notions of productivity and constraints to growth and inclusion through the lens of South African cities. By interacting with various specialists and practitioners, students will also get a taste of interdisciplinary fields such as urban economics, economic development planning, and how urban economics is evolving towards applied economics in the municipal realm.
Traditional lectures, which are held during the first weekly class session, will provide an overview of key concepts and themes, sometimes supplemented by guest speakers with expertise in specific areas to bring real-world perspectives into the classroom. The second weekly class session will be organised around workshops and student presentations geared towards having students apply concepts to real-world urban contexts.