This course is compulsory on the MSc in Local Economic Development. This course is available on the MPhil/PhD in Geography and MSc in Urban Policy (LSE and Sciences Po). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

A good background is required in one of the fields of management, economics, economic geography, regional and urban studies.

This course is concerned with both the theoretical underpinnings and practical implementation of specific local economic development policies. It will focus in particular on the role of international organisations in local economic development in a number of different geographical contexts. In the MT the topics are presented by the responsible teacher, whilst in the LT each topic is given by a different academic drawing on their own research in the area. Topics covered vary by year, but are likely to include: changes in competitiveness, clusters and local growth coalitions, the role of infrastructure, human and social capital and institutions.

15 hours of seminars in the MT. 15 hours of seminars in the LT.

Students will be expected to make presentations and participate actively in seminars.

A Pike, A Rodríguez-Pose & J Tomaney, Local and Regional Development, Routledge, 2006; F Sforzi (Ed), The Institutions of Local Development, Ashgate, 2003; M Storper, The Regional World, Guilford, 1997; F Pyke & W Sengenberger (Eds), Industrial Districts and Local Economic Regeneration, ILO, 1992; M Best, The New Competition: Institutions of Industrial Restructuring, Polity, 1990; World Development Report. Reshaping Economic Geography, World Bank, 2009; How Regions Grow, OECD, 2009

Exam (75%, duration: 3 hours) in the main exam period.
Essay (25%, 2500 words).