This elective explores issues of socio-spatial inequality, differentiation and fragmentation that impact the urban environment and the quality-of-life of urban residents. We concentrate on capturing and understanding diverse forms of knowledge regarding intra-urban variations of quality-of-life, including socioeconomic status and health. A better understanding of the resulting socio-spatial patterns is essential for targeting (multiple) deprived areas and implementing area-based and regeneration policies. Particular attention will be paid to different scales of analysis and categorisations.
The course follows a challenge-based learning approach where students Identify a learning path to solve socially relevant challenges related to urban quality of life and well-being. This course presents several methods under a mixed-methods approach. Through a combination of lectures, reading assignments, exercises, and group work, students learn to combine quantitatively derived patterns and measures with urban residents generated data and perceptions and interpret the complementary results acquired. Group collaboration: each student will carry a diary to report their work, observations, challenges, and strategies to methods used.