CENTRE FOR LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL FOR UNDERGRADUATES
URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN CONTEMPORARY LONDON
Key Information
Module code
Taught during
Module workload
Module leader
Department
Credit
Level
Pre-requisites
Assessment
ISSU1034
Block Two: Monday 25 July – Friday 12 August 2016
45 teaching hours plus approximately 100 study hours
Dr Dan Kilburn
Centre for Languages and International Education
0.5 UCL credits, 7.5 ECTS, 4 US
Level 1, first year Undergraduate
Standard entry requirements
Fieldwork record (25%)
10-minute presentation (25%)
2,000-word essay (50%)
Module Overview
This module explores the processes shaping urban development in contemporary London and the challenges
facing its role as a ‘global city’ is the face of economic, social, and environmental challenges. Drawing on ideas,
perspectives and approaches from social science and urban design, the module will critically examine how
London is responding to these urban development challenges through a sequence of related topics:
Week One – Introduction to urban governance in London
• Models of urban politics and decision-making
• London’s key planning policy frameworks
• Researching urbanisation and urban development
Week Two – Contemporary debates:
• Airport expansion,
• The architecture and design of super-tall buildings
• The housing crisis
Week Three – The challenges of sustainable urbanisation:
• Environmental sustainability and design
• Social sustainability and inclusion
• Economic sustainability and development
Please note that this module description is indicative and may be subject to change.
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Module Aims
The module aims to engage students in contemporary academic (social science) debates and research
concerning:
 The processes driving urban development in cities such as London.
 Current urban policies and decision-making factors in London.
 Impacts of major development projects and key urban issues or problems.
 The challenges associated with fostering ‘sustainable’ urban development.
Teaching Methods
Teaching will be delivered through:
 1-hour lectures (daily): To introduce key concepts, ideas and debates; explore perspectives from the
literature; develop insights into case studies and empirical examples; outline the requirements of
forthcoming assessment and fieldwork.
 2-hour classes/seminars (daily): To develop hands-on research skills and techniques (including through
computer labs); undertake reading-based exercises; debate key perspectives.
 Fieldwork in and around three London sites (weekly): To support situated and experiential learning;
provide opportunities for data collection through observation; to form the basis for assessment
(through a fieldwork diary and presentation).
A Moodle page will provide the repository for electronic learning resources, a means of delivering feedback
(including audio feedback), and a medium for self-study activities.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, students will:
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The ability to identify the forces driving urban development on a global scale and to evaluate their
impact on the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of cities.
Familiarity with key policies relating to urban development and with the processes through which
planning decisions are made in London.
Being equipped to engage with debates concerning urban development by examining competing
perspective and formulating responses.
Experience of designing urban research projects, conducting fieldwork, analysing evidence from a
range of sources, and producing high-quality reports and outputs.
The ability to apply their knowledge and skills to critically analyse urban development in other contexts
around the world.
Assessment Methods
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Fieldwork record (25%)
10-minute presentation (25%)
2,000-word essay (50%)
Please note that this module description is indicative and may be subject to change.
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Key Texts
Baxter, R. and Lees, L. (2009) The Rebirth of High-Rise Living in London: Towards a sustainable, inclusive and
liveable urban form. In Imrie, R., Lees, L., & Raco, M. (Eds.). Regenerating London: governance, sustainability
and community in a global city. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
Campkin, B. (2013). Remaking London: decline and regeneration in urban culture. London: IB Tauris.
Cochrane, A. (2009) London: Regeneration or rebirth. In Imrie, R., Lees, L., & Raco, M. (Eds.). Regenerating
London: governance, sustainability and community in a global city. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
Griggs, S., & Howarth, D. (2013). 'Between a rock and a hard place': The coalition, the Davies commission and
the wicked issue of airport expansion. The Political Quarterly, 84(4), 515-526.
Hall, T. & Barrett, H. (2012) Urban geography (4th ed.). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
Hebbert, M. & McKellar, E. (2008) Tall Buildings in the London Landscape [Special Issue]. The The London
Journal, 33(3), 199-200
Massey, D. (2007) World City. Cambridge: Polity
Tewdwr-Jones, M. (2009) Governing London: The evolving institutional and planning landscape. In Imrie, R.,
Lees, L., & Raco, M. (Eds.). Regenerating London: governance, sustainability and community in a global city.
Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
Tonkiss, F. (2014). Cities by design: the social life of urban form. Cambridge: Polity
Travers, T. (2003) The politics of London: governing an ungovernable city. Basingstoke. Palgrave Macmillan.
Ward, K. [Ed.]. (2013). Researching the City: A Guide for Students. Thousand Oaks, CA.: Sage.
Please note that this module description is indicative and may be subject to change.
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