Geography

This course focuses on rivers, lakes, estuaries, wetlands and adjoining land (coastal and riparian zones). Taking a global perspective, with a focus on the tropics and Singapore, it explores the reservoirs, pathways and functioning of the hydrologic cycle, and the interactions between water and land, both on and below Earth’s surface. Dynamic hydrological processes and their effects, aquatic ecosystems, human interactions and impacts and ecohydrology are also covered.

The course gives a broad theoretical ground to wider work with digital geographic data. Understanding of representation and analysis of spatial elements are emphasized. The course also highlights general geographic problems within the environment and society through practical GIS applications. These treat both Swedish and international issues and vary in scale from the local to the regional. The parts within GIS that are treated include basic cartography, including projections, reference system, geographic data in digital form (maps, images, and tables) and positioning with GPS, basic analysis of geographic data in raster and vector format, and cartographic and graphical presentation of digital map material. In the course, training in oral and written communication is also included. Special emphasis is placed on the cartographic presentation of digital geographic data.

This course focuses on the concepts and practical use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for problem solving in both the social and physical sciences. Topics include vector and raster data formats and their analytical functions. Practical laboratory exercises utilizing GIS software such as ArcGIS are a core component of the course.

The course reviews agglomeration and clustering of economic activities from both geographical and urban economics disciplinary perspectives, in relation to cluster and urban economic policy. The course explains the current innovative and knowledge economy of firms and policymaking in relation to urban competitiveness. The geographical discipline focuses on clusters, network formation and industry evolution using institutional theories in which the actor-approach of firms and governments is central. Urban economics traditionally focuses on the role of externalities and urban contexts as attractions for firm and population location decisions and the growth and innovation potentials of firms in a more quantitative sense. Both disciplines heavily lean on empirical research, using complementary research methods like case-study research, surveys, spatial econometrics and general equilibrium modelling. Those methods are explained in the course in relation to current issues and empirical research on urban development. Much attention is given to regional and urban economic policy issues. Participants apply the theoretical and empirical insights from the lectures in an actual case study of urban policy in Utrecht, the Netherlands.