Cities of the World

elective courses

Classroom

Getting the knowledge about the contemporary phenomena and processes of selected cities and megacities in the World. Discussion of social, economic, political and environmental issues in the cities on chosen examples. During each lecture a different city is discussed.

Boston – the city of knowledge and universities. It is a leading scientific and economic center (finance, advanced technologies, biotechnology, arms industry, and information technology (about 50 universities and colleges).

Miami – the green city, with the best conditions of living, good quality water and recycling programs. City is open for different cultures and diversity.

San Francisco - one of the most important and famous cities of the state of California. Nowadays, a large tourist resort known for its attractions, including the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz prison.

Toronto - the largest city in Canada and the capital of the province of Ontario. The city serves as the economic and cultural capital of Canada. Interesting urban solutions of transportation mode in the city.

Paris – a French style development of the global metropolitan area. The development of a global metropolitan area, the capital of fashion, luxury and new technologies, will be presented against the background of historical conditions. The socio-spatial contrasts of the Paris metropolitan area will also be presented.

Warsaw – difficult transformations through centuries until now. The socio-spatial and physiognomic transformation of the city will be presented against the background of historical events up to the present day.

Berlin - the dynamics of the social and spatial transformations of the city (historical conditions, recent changes and the specificity of the revitalization process, gentrification and socio-spatial segregation).

Moscow – Moscow's urbanization problems and transportation solutions in the form of city ring roads. Political and social conditions of the city's development.

Sao Paulo – the largest city in South America and the southern hemisphere located in the southern part of Brazil, on the Tietê River. The city of contrast and slums. The city of social inequalities

Singapore - is an island country and city-state in Southeast Asia. The city characterized by a multicultural population.

Bangkok - urbanization problems of Bangkok related to too high migration pressure, air pollution and too much car traffic.

Cairo – Cairo's urbanization problems, typology of slums in Cairo, proposed solutions related to the growing migratory pressure on the city

Sydney – the iconic city. It is the largest city in Australia and Oceania with a population over the 5 million inhabitants. The city ranked among the top ten cities in the world in terms of high quality of life.

Grzegorczyk A., Jaczewska B., 2019, Polityka mieszkaniowa a segregacja społeczna. Przykład Warszawy, Berlina i Paryża, Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego.

The student knows the natural, social and economic conditions of most interesting cities around the World.

The student has knowledge about unique features and phenomena of certain cities.

The student can explain the causes of social, economic, political and natural environment issues of certain cities.

The student can explain the factors of development of different cities in particular regions of the World.

The aim of the course is also to build awareness of the diversity of the contemporary world and new phenomena occurring in the globalized world cities.

Written exam with test questions.

Discussions and workshops during lectures.

The final exam is a written test consisting of open and closed questions. 50% of the points are required to obtain a positive grade.

The make-up exam takes place on the same terms as passing the exam for the first time.

not applicable