Explore Urban Studies
Urban Studies examines cities as connected social, spatial and environmental systems. This subject guide introduces the questions, methods and practical work that help learners understand the field before choosing a formal course of study.
A strong starting point is to connect urban theory with spatial analysis. The first develops a foundation for reasoning; the second provides a setting in which to test ideas. Keep a learning journal that records assumptions, sources and questions that remain unresolved.
Four areas to investigate
Urban theory
Connect urban theory to the study of cities as connected social, spatial and environmental systems. Compare an introductory explanation with a worked example, then describe where the approach is useful and where it may fail.
Spatial analysis
Connect spatial analysis to the study of cities as connected social, spatial and environmental systems. Compare an introductory explanation with a worked example, then describe where the approach is useful and where it may fail.
Housing policy
Connect housing policy to the study of cities as connected social, spatial and environmental systems. Compare an introductory explanation with a worked example, then describe where the approach is useful and where it may fail.
Participatory planning
Connect participatory planning to the study of cities as connected social, spatial and environmental systems. Compare an introductory explanation with a worked example, then describe where the approach is useful and where it may fail.
Learn through inquiry
Compare neighbourhood access to essential services using open spatial data.
Begin with a question narrow enough to investigate. Decide what evidence would support an answer, document the method and explain what further work would be needed.