Spatial Economics (ECON324) | GSÜ - ECTS Information Guide

Content

Objective

The objective of this course is to familiarize students with the issue of the spatial distribution of economic activities and to examine, in depth and from an empirical and historical perspective, the full range of activities from agriculture to the service sector.

Course Content

In this course, classical models of activity distribution—such as those developed by Von Thünen, Weber, Christaller, and Alonso-Muth—along with their various extended versions, will first be examined. The second part will focus on contemporary urban economics models shaped by the contributions of scholars such as Park, Burgess, and McKenzie; Alonso-Muth, Fujita-Thisse; and Ullman, Mann, and Vance.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will have acquired the following knowledge and skills:
-Identify the relationships between spatial processes and explain the dynamics of these processes.
-Understand and discuss, in an applied manner, the different models used to analyze the spatial distribution of economic activities.
-Analyze in depth how economic processes lead to spatial distributions and assess the consequences of these distributions.
-Develop the ability to analyze the effects of location decisions on the spatial system.
-Identify the main issues related to the spatial distribution of activities and develop methodological approaches to address them.

Teaching and Learning Methods

- Lectures
- Quizzes

References

- Ponsard, C., &; Beguin, H. (1988). Analyse économique
spatiale. Presses universitaires de France.
- Courlet, C., &; Pecqueur, B. (2022). L'économie
territoriale. Presses universitaires de Grenoble.
- Huriot, Bourdeau-Lepage (2009): Economie des villes
contemporaines, Economica
- White (2015): Modelling cities and regions as complex
systems, MIT Press

Weekly Contents

Theory Topics
Week	Weekly Contents
1	Introduction to Spatial Economics: Definition, Historical Development, and Mathematical Tools for Spatial Analysis
2	The Spatial Distribution of Agricultural Activities: The Von Thünen Model
3	Extensions of the Von Thünen Model and the New Urban Economics
4	Industrial Location: Weber’s Model and the Point of Minimum Transport Costs
5	Extensions of Weber’s Model: Labour Cost Advantages and Agglomeration Economies
6	The Location of Economic Activities: Regional and Urban Extensions, and the Location of Public Services
7	Spatial Competition: Hotelling’s Model and the Delimitation of Market Areas
8	Extended Models of Spatial Competition: Palander’s Contributions
9	Spatial Competition: Extensions and Contemporary Applications
10	The Economic Landscape: An Introduction to Lösch’s Model
11	The Theory of Regions and Central Places: The Spatial Organisation of Economic Activities
12	The Formation of the Economic Landscape: Models with Multiple Producers and Multiple Products
13	Overview of the Main Paradigms in Spatial Economics: Agricultural Location, Industrial Location, Spatial Competition, and the Formation of the Economic Landscape
14	General Review and Applied Exercises on Spatial Economics Models

Assessment System

Contribution to Overall Grade
Activities	Number	Contribution
Contribution of in-term studies to overall grade	1	50
Contribution of final exam to overall grade	1	50
Total	2	100

In-Term Studies
Activities	Number	Contribution
Assignments	0	0
Presentation	0	0
Midterm Examinations (including preparation)	1	50
Project	0	0
Laboratory	0	0
Other Applications	0	0
Quiz	0	0
Term Paper/ Project	0	0
Portfolio Study	0	0
Reports	0	0
Learning Diary	0	0
Thesis/ Project	0	0
Seminar	0	0
Other	0	0
Make-up	0	0
Total	1	50

Relation of Proficiency

No	Program Learning Outcomes	Contribution
No	Program Learning Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	Demonstrate a basic knowledge of different economic theories and main discussions driving current theoretical approaches				X
2	Demonstrate ability to use basic qualitative and quantitative methods to asses different economic questions of applied fields			X
3	Show a sound understanding of current economic discussions and problems		X
4	Have an effective and clear communication in written and oral formats in different public and professional contexts.
5	Demonstrate basic knowledge of the world economic history and a sound knowledge of the Turkish economic history
7	Demonstrate knowledge of standard quantitative techniques and empirical models used in economics	X
8	Show ability to apply basic economic theory to an applied topic			X
9	Show a basic understanding of analytical methods, both theory- and model-based			X
10	Show ability to use economic concepts to discuss current economic issues					X
11	Reason logically and work analytically				X
12	Show awareness on social aspects of the economics in different applied and theoretical fields		X
13	Identify appropriate economic models to analyse problems		X
16	Show understanding of basic statistical and econometric concepts and ability to apply basic concepts to own empirical work
17	Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the current economic issues in Turkey and a general knowledge of the issues in the world economy

ECTS

Activities	Number	Period	Total Workload
Class Hours	14	3	42
Working Hours out of Class	14	3	42
Assignments	10	2	20
Presentation	0	0	0
Midterm Examinations (including preparation)	1	20	20
Project	0	0	0
Laboratory	0	0	0
Other Applications	0	0	0
Final Examinations (including preparation)	1	30	30
Quiz	0	0	0
Term Paper/ Project	0	0	0
Portfolio Study	0	0	0
Reports	0	0	0
Learning Diary	0	0	0
Thesis/ Project	0	0	0
Seminar	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0
Make-up	0	0	0
Yıl Sonu	0	0	0
Hazırlık Yıl Sonu	0	0	0
Hazırlık Bütünleme	0	0	0
Total Workload			154
Total Workload / 25			6.16
Credits ECTS			6