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Building Equitable Cities: Policy Tools for Housing and Community Development (at HKS)
SES 5213

Jointly Offered with: Harvard Kennedy School as SUP 600

Course Information

Description

An introduction to policymaking in American cities, focusing on economic, demographic, institutional, and political settings. It examines inclusive and equitable economic development and job growth in the context of metropolitan regions and the emerging "new economy.”  Topics include: federal, state, and local government strategies for expanding community economic development and affordable housing opportunities, equitable transit-oriented development and resiliency. Of special concern is the continuing spatial and racial isolation of low-income populations, especially minority populations, in central-city neighborhoods and how suburbanization of employment, reduction in low-skilled jobs, and racial discrimination combine to limit housing and employment opportunities. Current federal policy such as Opportunity Zones and tax credit initiatives will be examined relative to policy goals of addressing communities that have historically been discriminated both by the public and private sectors.  During the semester, students will complete a brief policy memorandum, and participate in a term-long group project exploring policy options to address an urban problem or issue for a specific city.

Class Notes

Also offered by HKS as SUP 600. See the HKS website for shopping period and classroom information. Please note, this is a jointly offered course hosted by another Harvard school and, accordingly, students must adhere to the academic and attendance policies of that school.

School Graduate School of Design
Credits 4
Cross Reg

Not Available for Cross Registration

Course Component Lecture
Instruction Mode In Person
Grading Basis GSD Graded
Distributional Electives MArch Global Culture/Diversity Dist. Elective
MDes Publics Domain Distributional Elective
UP Concentration UP Housing, Community, Econ Devel Concentration
Limited Enrollment Limited enrollment, GSD students given priority