17555 Complexity and Spatial Analysis

This subject introduces students to the science of complex systems, with a specific focus on using that science to better understand cities and urban processes. Issues include: Are cities in equilibrium? Do cities change gradually and predictably? Do small changes to prices, infrastructure and resident/firm behaviour cause only small effects?

The answer to these questions is assumed, implicitly, to be 'yes' by most classical economic and financial models. Recognising that cities are complex, far-from-equilibrium systems with components that interact at different spatial and temporal scales requires the adoption of a new set of mental tools.

Typical availability

Spring semester, City campus