Inclusive Cities: key themes

FaculteitFaculty of Geosciences

NiveauBachelor

Studiejaar2026-2027

Beschrijving

Course goals

Please note that this course has a maximum capacity of 80 students
Participation is only possible for registered students.

This is a compulsory course for the track 'Inclusieve steden'. Students who follow this track get priority.
In case of oversubscription, the other students will be admitted by drawing of lots.

Please note: the information in the course manual is binding.

Students are expected to take an active part in the course, with sufficient guidance, in acquiring knowledge and skills set in the course objectives. Upon completion of the course, students are able to:

Critically engage with thematic debates related to in- and exclusion processes in cities from a socio-spatial perspective, with an emphasis on spatial access and social participation.
Link positions in those debates to the underlying theoretical perspectives, preferred data and methods, and relevant policy options.
Discuss and understand the implications of processes of in- and exclusion in terms of societal problems, challenges, opportunities and policy options.
Contribute to those contemporary thematic debates by identifying relevant knowledge gaps.
Develop a coherent, realistic and original research proposal which includes clear and relevant research questions, a theoretical framework identifying a knowledge gap in the relevant thematic debates, and a plan to collect data.

In this course, we also work on developing self-regulation skills, study skills, and professional skills such as cooperation and teamwork, critical reflection and decision-making, and academic English.

Content

This course builds on the knowledge students have acquired in the first course of the track on ‘inclusive cities’. In this course students will learn how to apply key theories and concepts as well as existing empirical knowledge related to ‘in- and exclusive cities’ to selected societal themes. Inclusive cities can be studied from multiple angles and on multiple dimensions. Who has access to the city in terms of finding jobs, a home or spending leisure time? Which people spend leisure time in the city – how and why? Who lives where – and why? Who interacts with whom – and why? An unlimited number of such questions can be asked.Therefore, in this course the themes we will focus on are centered around two core themes: (a) spatial access, and (b) social inclusion. To assess and understand cities’ inclusivity (and its counterpart, exclusivity), it is key to study and understand to what extent and why spatial access, the use of public space, mobility patterns and consumption differ between various social groups who are living, working and spending leisure time in cities. Second, it is equally important to study and understand to what extent and why social participation, social networks and integration, community, and livability differ between social groups and across different geographical areas (such as neighborhoods).

In November and December, i.e. during the first six weeks of the course, students will explore the (sub-)themes. This will be done through a combination of in-class work, self-study, and additional educational material. In January, i.e. during the last four weeks of the course, students write a research proposal related to one of the subthemes in this course. During the course, students will further develop their analytical, communication and argumentation skills during in-class discussions, group work, and individual assignments.

This course is part of the learning trajectory

methods and techniques learning trajectory
writing and argumentation learning trajectory

Reviews0 reviews

Nog geen reviews voor dit vak. Wees de eerste!

Heb jij dit vak gevolgd?

Deel je ervaring met toekomstige studenten. Inloggen met je Universiteit Utrecht mailadres duurt één minuut.

Schrijf een review