Course Meeting Times
Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session
Prerequisites
There are no specific prerequisites for the course, but permission of the instructor is required for enrollment.
Course Description & Objectives
This course explores equity as a key value, measure, and framework for operationalizing local economic development plans and policies. The course examines theory as well as the implementation of local policy initiatives for equity in U.S. cities. Investigating a wide range of contemporary theory and practice in the field of urban economic development, students will propose new recommendations and executive strategies for cities currently pursuing pro-growth agendas. From contracting and municipal procurement to arts and culture-driven approaches, the course will provide students with 1) a working knowledge of local government approaches to more equitable economic development strategies; 2) a critical point of view on the merits and limitations of these strategies; 3) formal opportunities to present new views to public and political actors in the field.
Course Requirements and Grading
Coursework includes authoring a policy brief for a senior official in a mayoral administration, a short essay (500-600 words) written as an op-ed, one team-based presentation analyzing a preselected city case study, and weekly reading reflection posts. Student-led presentations (10–15 minutes) will precede several class discussions. Students will also design a public roundtable for local organizers and advocates pursuing economic equity agendas in greater Boston.
| Coursework Elements | Grade Percentages |
|---|---|
| Short Essay | 15% |
| Class Presentations, Discussions, and Reading Posts | 25% |
| Case Analysis & Presentation | 30% |
| Final Paper (3 page policy brief or 12–15 page research paper) | 30% |
Calendar
(Class sessions meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays.)
| Week # | Topics | Key dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planning as Theory & Practice | |
| 2 | Urbanization & Globalization: Lessons from the Rise & Fall of the Industrial City | |
| 3 | U.S. Urban Social Movements and New Space Claims | Thurs: Short essay due |
| 4 | Community Development at the Bargaining Table | Tues: Guest Lecture: Jonathan Greely, Director of Development Review, Boston Planning & Development Agency |
| 5 | Equity & Inclusion Plans | Tues: Guest Lecture: Chief Lori Nelson, Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Racial Equity |
| 6 | Race & Gender (Based) Approaches to Equity | Thurs: Team One presentation |
| 7 | Race & Gender (Neutral) Approaches to Equity | Thurs: Team Two presentation |
| 8 | Environmental Justice & Equity Planning | Thurs: Team Three presentation |
| 9 | Cultural Heritage & Preservation | Tues: Guest Lecture: Kathy Kottaridis, Executive Director, Historic Boston Incorporated |
| 10 | Arts Planning & Economic Development | Thurs: Guest Lecture: Chief Kara Elliott-Ortega, Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture, City of Boston |
| 11 | Commercial Development & Commercial Values in the Neighborhood |
Thurs: Guest Lecture: Maggie Super Church, Vice President for Market Innovation & Impact, Conservation Law Foundation |
| 12 | Toward Control: Social Enterprise as Development | Tues: Guest Lecture: Bing Broderick, Executive Director, Haley House |
| 13 | Public Roundtable |
Tues: Final paper due; prep & walkthrough of public roundtable Thurs: Public roundtable |
| 14 | Final Presentations |
