MSc Urban Policy & Analysis

This class introduces participants to the use of quantitative methods in social research; in particular, the logic and language of empirical analysis, the principal types of quantitative data (official statistics and surveys), and the use of software packages for statistical analysis.

The global economic order is at a crossroads. In Europe and beyond, governments are facing unprecedented challenges: economic, political, social, ecological. This class surveys the turbulent politico-economic landscape across crises, from the 2008 financial crash to the Covid-19 pandemic.

More specifically, the class critically examines core issues in the political economy of crisis: the austerity debate, the inequality and tax regimes, the rethinking of growth models, the green and gender revolutions, the power of central banks, the future of the euro (EMU), the populist temptation (e.g. Brexit). By engaging these themes, students will develop a better understanding of the complexity and direction of European and global capitalism. They will also be confronted with key economic debates, assessing competing approaches and drawing policy lessons.

The focus of this class is comparative, looking at developments across advanced nations, but in the context of wider transformations in the periphery. All in all, this class offers a window into the most pressing issues facing policymakers around the world and contemporary societies more widely.

Cities and regions are instruments of economic growth. This module examines the processes of economic and regional development which occur in city-regions. The module presents a strategic management perspective on managing the diverse assets of cities, including the human resource component, the industrial organization of the city, and factors of production necessary for growth.

Please note that this class is subject to change.

Networks are a critical part of modern day life. Networks inform the way we govern and the way we structure our critical techniques such as roads, water and power. Operating strategically within a network is a critical component of practice for many professional occupations whether public, private, or non-profit.

Please note that this class is subject to change.

The MSc dissertation is assessed by means of an academic or practice-based project.

This class, run by the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, provides an introduction to the methods used to predict environmental impacts and evaluates how these may be used to integrate environmental factors into decisions. The class draws principally on the UK planning context of environmental impact assessment of individual projects (project EIA), but also takes account of EIA experience in other countries and international organisations. Students are also introduced to key principles of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

The class, run by the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, introduces circular economy as a systems-based concept in which production is designed to be restorative and resilient, while waste is designed out of the system. Circular economy is thus featured as a reaction to the conventional dispensation of the linear ‘make-use-dispose’ economy, and as a framework for the development and management of a sustainable, ‘waste-as-a-resource’ economic system. The implications of the concept for research, policy and industrial practice are also explored as these relate to innovation and knowledge production; social trends and consumer behaviour; conservation and sustainable use of energy and material resources; climate change and environmental sustainability; and design of business models for green enterprise development and for sustainable growth and employment generation.

This class will examine the key systems and infrastructure on which urban centres depend and promote critical reflection on how the design, management and monitoring of these systems impact on the social, environmental and economic sustainability of cities. The use of case studies will allow students to engage with real-world situations, challenges and opportunities and consider multiple infrastructure and technology options for sustainable city strategies.

This class covers organisational and regulatory aspects of waste management practice in the UK: legislation, composition of domestic and industrial wastes, storage, collection, reception, and disposal of solid wastes, clinical wastes, sewage sludge disposal, recycling and recovery.

This class will provide you with an understanding of the new challenges posed by the advent for big data, as they refer to its modelling, storage, and access; an understanding of the key algorithms and techniques which are embodied in data analytics solutions; and exposure to a number of different big data technologies and techniques, showing how they can achieve efficiency and scalability, while also addressing design trade-offs and their impacts.

The aim of the class is to understand the aims and fundamental principles of machine learning; understand a range of the key algorithms and approaches to machine learning; be able to apply the algorithms covered and interpret the outcomes; understand the applicability of the algorithms to different types of data and problems along with their strengths and limitations.

In this class, you'll develop in-depth knowledge and skills regarding the science, engineering and management of environmental pollution control approaches to protect public health. You'll benefit from research-led teaching at the interface between public health and environmental engineering, with a particular focus on risk-centred methods. Lecture sessions are complemented by industrial and government case studies in contemporary air quality management practice.

To develop an understanding of the physical, chemical and biological parameters within surface water and how these relate to water quality, water quality objectives and pollution control strategy. To provide knowledge on the design and process involved with the control of water and wastewater treatment.

Our world is grappling with urgent environmental challenges. Understanding and shaping international environmental policy is crucial for addressing these challenges. This class offers a comprehensive understanding the web of global environmental agreements, emerging frameworks, diplomatic negotiations and financial instruments used to enable environmental change. These instruments may be part of new and innovative strategies to combat climate change, to protect biodiversity, and to foster sustainable and resilient development.

A growing, and increasingly important, part of the work of many applied Economists includes the economic analysis of environmental issues. Additionally, many professionals working in the fields of energy, the natural environment, or business more generally will find that their careers require some working knowledge of economic approaches to environmental problems. The main objective of this class is to provide a thorough grounding in the economics of the environment, with a particular focus on environmental protection in an international policy context, such as climate change and the loss of biological diversity.

This class covers organisational and regulatory aspects of waste management practice in the UK: legislation, composition of domestic and industrial wastes, storage, collection, reception, and disposal of solid wastes, clinical wastes, sewage sludge disposal, recycling and recovery.

This practical-based class provides a thorough introduction to the rapidly growing field of Geographical Information Science. The class covers the key theoretical principles but also provides many computer-based exercises using current state-of-the-art Geographical Information Systems (GIS) – namely IDRISI and ArcGIS. The class evaluates how GIS can be used for spatial query and analysis, while at the same time assessing the quality and the effectiveness of the resultant products in terms of their use.

This class will develop your skills in the use of engineering practices in project management. The focus is on the effective and efficient use of resources. Areas covered include:

• introduction to project management techniques and project control
• basic aspects of project teams
• project networks
• procedural and graphical presentation techniques
• introduction to contract law
• project budgetary control

This module aims to give students a broad overview of satellite applications in industry, military, and research. Students will learn to distinguish between different satellite systems, their capabilities and limitations as well interpret satellite and acquire a basic understanding on what products are derived from different sensors. 

The class will cover aspects of satellite communications, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), remote sensing (active and passive), altimetry and an introduction to remote sensing data processing tools. 

A technical background in physics and calculus is required for this option.