S0508 Globalization and Development. Global Challenges and Local Risks for Cities and Regions

The course focuses on the explanation of recent evolutions and transformation processes in urban Europe considering main trends in contemporary urban societies. The \"shifting landscape\" of the European City is explained as the physical result of important changes in the economic, social and cultural arenas. In this sense, urban processes of change in cityscapes like gentrification in historical centers and the redevelopment of waterfronts and 1st generation industrial districts are presented in parallel with the increasing sprawl in suburban and metropolitan areas.\r\n

The course covers the explanation of similar processes taking place in different cities that can be explained as a result of globalization dynamics or as much more related with the specific context of European integration. Sample cities will be discussed illustrating differences and similarities in Western, Eastern and Mediterranean European urbanization.

\r\nThe course will include two different types of sessions. Some of the sessions will be dedicated to the presentation of the theoretical framework and the discussion of the contents. Other sessions will be arranged as workshops to discuss some key texts selected from the bibliography.