Course Outline

[Dean Sinclair]

MOI UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
FIRST SEMESTER 2012-2013 (APRIL 2012)
GEO: 913 Urban Development and Urban Systems (Required)
Instructor: Dr. Dean Sinclair

COURSE CONTENT
The earth’s land surface may be divided into two broad areas-the rural
and urban. This course is about urban areas and is meant to enhance
the student’s understanding of the origins and major features and
consequences of urban growth in the modern world with special emphasis
on Africa, East Africa, and Kenya in particular. Relevant theoretical
approaches in urban geography are considered to provide a general
background for special aspects of urban planning and management.
Issues covered include: city size distribution and spatial order of
urban settlements, types and classification of urban settlements,
urban structure, models of urban land use, urban development policies,
planning and management. Urban problems including housing problems
(slums and squatters), traffic congestion, urban poverty, waste
management and others are discussed in terms of their causes,
consequences and strategies to resolve them. Students are expected to
develop a critical, independent, and analytical outlook in their
assigned readings and written essays. Detailed course content is as
follows:

A. Introducing Urban Systems
1. The focus and evolution of Urban Systems
2. Classifying Urban Systems
3. Conditions and Trends of Urban Systems
4. Processes Driving Change

B. Planning Sustainable Cities
1. Defining Urban Planning
2. New Approaches to Urban Planning
3. Identifying Normative Principles
4. Understanding Urban Diversity
5. Urban Economics and Urban Spatial Form
6. Vulnerability to Natural Disasters

C. History and Structure of Urban Planning
1. Early Forms of Planning
2. The Spread of Modernist Planning
3. Innovative Approaches to Planning
4. The Institutional Basis for Planning
5. Land and Property Systems
6. Plan Formulation
7. Participatory Planning

D. The Contents of a Plan
1. Sustainable Development-The Green and Brown Agendas
2. Innovative Approaches to Sustainable Development
3. Informality in Urban Plans
4. Planning for Infrastructure
5. The Compact City Debate
6. The Future of Urban Planning

E. The State of African Cities
1. North African Cities
2. Western African Cities
3. Eastern African Cities
4. Central African Cities
5. Southern African Cities

F. Issues in Urban Systems and Development in Africa
1. Urban Mobility
2. Climate Change
3. Land Tenure
4. Urban Housing
5. Gender Issues

COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the end of the course, the student should be able to:
1. Fully comprehend the structure of urban systems and development,
with particular emphasis on the role of planning in city development.
2. Articulate and demonstrate an understanding of urbanization, urban
settlements, urban internal structures, and urban planning, urban
development, policies and management problems, how urban settlements
have been managed, especially in East Africa and particularly in
Kenya.
3. Suggest solutions and be able to develop plans for effective
planning, management, and development of urban areas.
4. Research and report on an urban system that interests the student
and is vital to the future development of cities in East Africa.
COURSE ASSESSMENT
The course will be assessed through coursework and final examination.
The coursework will be composed of class tests and assignments and
will constitute 50% of the final grading. The final examination will
constitute 50%.

SOME READINGS
Gordon McGranahan, Peter J. Marcotullio, et al. 2005. “Urban Systems,”
Chapter 27 in: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, Current State and
Trends: Findings of the Condition and Trends Working Group. Ecosystems
and Human Well-being, Volume 1, Washington DC: Island Press, pp.
795-825, and supplement, pp. 881. http://www.ciesin.columbia.edu/documents/urbansystems.pdf
(required)
UN-Habitat. 2002. “Women and Adequate Housing.” Organized by UN-
Habitat.
UN-Habitat. 2005. Urban Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa.
UN-Habitat. 2007. Gender and Post-Crisis Reconstruction.
UN-Habitat. 2008. Strategic Urban Development Planning in Lake
Victoria Region.
UN-Habitat. 2008. The State of African Cities, 2008.
UN-Habitat. 2008. The State of the World’s Cities, 2010/2011.
UN-Habitat. 2009. Global Report on Human Settlements 2009: Planning
Sustainable Cities. (required)
UN-Habitat, 2009. Promoting Sustainable Urban Development.
UN-Habitat, 2010. The State of African Cities, 2010.
UN-Habitat. 2010. Sustainable Mobility in African Cities.
UN-Habitat, 2010. Planning Sustainable cities
UN-Habitat. 2012. Cities and Climate Change Initiative.