Session on Week 2

Reading: Introduction chapter of “Keys to the city”, by Michael Storper

Questions discussed:

• Change in cities and regions. Examples in the UK?
• What aspects do you think are more stable over time?
• Polycentrism and spatial expansion of cities *
• The role of cities as the absence of space *
• The role of Social Science in explaining cities (Geography, Economics)
• The author gives several keys (firms, innovation, consumers, institutions) to understand cities and regions, which one do you think matters most? Why?
• Interdisciplinarity in urban and regional studies

Main messages for students:

• Cities as open versions of countries, that interact, trade and compete with each other.
• Inherent turbulence in the fate of particular cities; rapid and dramatic change occurring over time.
• Relevance of Geography and geographical aspects in determining the prosperity of cities.

The essay

• Check on status
• Reading and citation requirements (1-5 references)

Additional

Video of lecture by Storper at LSE: