Urban Environmental Economics
Environmental Economics analyses the relationship between human activities, economic development and environmental problems. In this track you will focus on the economic analysis of national and international environmental and natural resources problems such as global warming, loss of biodiversity, pollution, exhaustion of natural resources, deforestation, water scarcity and many others. The aim is to improve understanding of the link between economic development and environmental problems and identify possible solutions and policy recommendations.
More about this thesis track
Providing solutions to urban challenges with economic expertise
The thesis track Urban Environmental Economics aims at using insights and methods from economics to provide solutions in urban environments. In this thesis track, students can combine courses and expertise from the chair groups ‘Environmental Economics and Natural Resources’ (ENR) and ’Urban Economics’ (UEC). The programme focuses on how to make cities more sustainable, and how to assess the impacts, effectiveness and efficiency of different policy options.
Integrating natural and social sciences
The thesis track Urban Environmental Economics aims at integrating knowledge and insights from natural sciences, technology and economics. For example, combining socioeconomic and environmental data allows for assessing the environmental and social impacts of energy policy, including identifying winners and losers across society, in different regions or neighbourhoods. Parts of our research focuses on the application of modelling approaches such as spatial, behavioural, or applied general equilibrium models for analysing real world environmental problems. Empirical research is carried out through surveys, observational data or economic experiments, for example, to assess the acceptability of policy options, estimate the willingness to pay for green space, or identify leverage points for transformation.
Students can learn more about the education and research related to this discipline by visiting the website of the Environmental Economics and Natural Resources Group and the Urban Economics Group.
Courses
The following courses are part of the programme Urban Environmental Management when selecting the thesis track Urban Environmental Economics. Next to these thesis specific courses, you will follow courses from the common part and electives as summarised in the programme outline. For more information visit the study handbook or contact the study adviser.
Thesis track-related subjects
Compulsory
| Subject | Code |
|---|---|
| Economic Modelling for Sustainability Challenges | ENR32806 |
| Economics of Urban Environmental Challenges | UEC32306 |
Compulsory unless your study adviser indicates differently:
| Subject | Code |
|---|---|
| Environmental Economics for Environmental Sciences | ENR21306 |
Restricted Optional: Select at least two
| Subject | Code |
|---|---|
| Planning for Urban Quality of Life | LUP23806 |
| Governance for Sustainable Cities | ENP36806 |
| Managing Urban Environmental Infrastructure | ETE32806 |
| Planning and Design of Urban Space | ETE33806 |
Restricted optional: Select one internship
| Subject | Code |
|---|---|
| MSc Internship Environmental Economics | ENR70224 |
| MSc Internship Urban Economics | UEC70224 |
Restricted optional: Select one thesis
| Subject | Code |
|---|---|
| MSc Thesis Environmental Economics | ENR80436 |
| MSc Thesis Urban Economics | UEC80436 |
In order to prepare well for your thesis track, you can additionally choose supporting courses. These courses focus, for example, on quantitative and data sciences. You can find the exact list in the study handbook at the section "Restricted Optionals (2) in Common part"
This course overview is based on the Wageningen University study handbook, where you can find a more detailed course and programme description. The study handbook is guiding in case of any discrepancy.
Below you can see an example how your schedule can look like when following this thesis track:
