Human Geography: Urban Geography

Cities are also confronted with substantial social challenges related to polarization and urban inequality, processes of segregation, fragmentation and
privatization of the urban landscape.

Consequently, cities are places of both unanticipated wealth and of concentrated poverty, deprivation and vulnerability, shaping the life experiences and life chances of urban dwellers in diverging and complex ways. This raises important questions about urban inequality and social justice.

The Master Programme Urban Geography provides students with a better understanding of the global and local processes that shape cities today. The 21st century will undoubtedly be an urban age. As processes of globalization and economic restructuring have contributed to unanticipated urban growth across the globe, cities are considered to be key engines for innovation and economic growth and have been rediscovered as attractive places to live, work and play. This celebration of urban life and cities as places of infinite opportunities, however, is only side of the story.

The teaching in this track is organised in small groups. This results in small scale research communities in which academic staff and students work closely together in a less formal and more open environment.

For other Human Geography tracks see the GSSS website: http://gsss.uva.nl/programmes/programmes/