POL 312 - Urban Politics and Planning

POL 120 or consent of instructor. (3)

Historical development and theories of urban politics in the U.S. The process of urbanization, changing structure of political power in cities, and expansion and decay of metropolitan areas. Structural constraints that limit the capacity of cities to address needs such as education, housing, transportation and economic growth. Challenges to policies that address chronic urban problems such as inequality, poverty, crime, downtown revitalization, and sprawl. The role of governance and vital partnerships in creating effective urban public policy. Graded ABCDE