Market Analysis and Urban Economics

This is a master’s level course intended to introduce students to urban economics and real estate market analysis. It covers urban market fundamentals and how they shape cities and neighborhoods. Key themes include: the economic role of cities, typologies of urban growth and form, bid-rent curves, household and firm location choices, the role of local government, housing, and the dynamics of local property markets.  This course introduces students to the concepts, models, and methods used to analyze how economic forces impact (re)development processes, values, and locational patterns in real estate markets. 

The course is structured as lectures and workshops, with synchronous and asynchronous components each week. Most weeks the structure will be one day of synchronous lecture and discussion, with a second day of modules (lectures, practice problems, reading responses, and engagement) that may be completed asynchronously. 

Readings draw from classic, recent, and current works in urban economics, planning, and academic real estate literatures. Assignments reinforce urban economics concepts and the ability to analyze local property market fundamentals, identify new markets, and measure investment opportunities. Guest lectures by active real estate professionals will offer students the opportunity to learn from practitioners currently operating in the marketplace. Evaluation is based on weekly assignments, a midterm, and a final project/paper. 

The course assumes no previous economic knowledge or training.