Within this concentration there is a wide variety of courses addressing the dynamics of urban growth, global economy and development processes of regions, with special emphasis on the development in China and Pacific-Asia. Through lectures, tutorials, organized field trips, as well as the use of both local and international case studies, students examine the spatial organization of cities, the world spatial economy, behaviours of individual agents, and collective choice in the form of urban physical planning. Courses within this concentration also emphasize on the understanding of the effects of urban development, such as transport, housing, welfare and the location and relocation of economic activities in space. On a regional scale, students are also exposed to the different forces that contribute to development, including the world economy, the cultural dimension, population growth and regional development policies. Development issues including the role of women, the informal sector, squatters, non-renewable resources, the rural economy and regional cooperation are addressed in courses within this concentration.

Courses in this category:

GRM 2301 Sustainable Development
GRM 2303 Urban Geography
GRM 2305 Geography of China *
GRM 2321 Globalization and Development
GRM 2324 Population and Resources *
GRM 3023 Hong Kong Geographical Issues
GRM 3305 Transport and Logistics
GRM 3310 Third World Development
GRM 3322 Geography of Advanced Economies
GRM 3323 Urban and Regional Planning
GRM 3324 Urban Planning Workshop

GRM 2301 Sustainable Development

Sustainable development has become an internationally agreed-upon vision for the future. This utopian approach to development should not only generate economic growth, but also distribute its benefits equitably, regenerate the environment rather than destroy it, as well as empower men and women rather than marginalize them. This course addresses some fundamental issues related to the increasingly popular idea of sustainable development. The course will begin by examining the historical development of the concept of sustainable development and its contradictions. This discussion serves as a background for latter topics explored in the course, including the relationship between population and environment, gender and development, trade and sustainability as well as sustainable food production as alternatives to ¡§traditional¡¨ practices. Sustainable development depends much on effective planning and good governance. The course covers concepts of sustainability and good governance as well as the significance of active public participation in achieving sustainable development. In addition to case studies pertaining to Hong Kong, examples from different parts of the world will also be illustrated to underline the tight inter-connections between processes in different regions and across geographical scales in the context of sustainable development. (Not for students who have taken GRM1014 or 3321 or UGC217E.)

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GRM 2303 Urban Geography

This course provides a general survey of the characteristics of urban processes and patterns, perspectives on urbanization, urban systems and structure, urban governance, and problems of urban land use,urban housing and urban poverty.

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GRM 2305 Geography of China

This course is a systematic analysis of topics related to the geography of contemporary China, both physical and human aspects of China's geography are discussed, including topography, climate, resource, populations and settlement, agriculture, industries and transport.

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GRM 2321 Globalization and Development

Globalization refers to the rapidly increasing levels of political, economic and cultural interconnectedness among the world's separately constituted states, societies and economies. This phenomenon has introduced new meanings and forms of development. How does globalization affect the level of development in different parts of the world, and to different groups of the world population? This course provides an overview to the concepts of globalization and development, and explores how the two processes are manifested across space. Topics investigated include the gender perspective of development in the age of intensified globalization, political ecology of development, disease and health, third world debt problems, impact of structural adjustment programmes, network economies, multinational corporations and knowledge-based economy. The course will end with a critique to the concept of development and explore alternative versions of globalization and development.

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GRM 2324 Population and Resources

This course will examine the complicated relations between population growth, distribution, migration and resources. The course will cover the basic concepts, and methods in spatial population analysis and various population issues. Topics discussed include population growth and regulation, demographic transition and population ageing, internal and international migration, population and resources.

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GRM 3023 Hong Kong Geographical Issues

This is an advanced course organized in a seminar format. Emerging geographical issues in Hong Kong related to land and water resources, transport and infrastructure development, housing and population policies, urban renewal and decentralization etc. will be selected for discussion and debate. The issues discussed will change from time to time in response to the changes in Hong Kong. Students are required to submit a report at the end of the course

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GRM 3305 Transport and Logistics

The course provides a general survey of the nature and characteristics of the transport system, and analyses the impacts of transportation on socio-economic development from a spatial perspective. Taken into account the changes in production systems, this course also introduces the key concepts and developmental trends of modern logistics.

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GRM 3310 Third World Development

This course studies development of the Third World as the periphery of the world economy. It focuses on the patterns and processes of modernization and development in Latin America, Africa and Asia. It will also introduce major theories of development and underdevelopment that may help students understand the creation and perpetuation of the Third World underdevelopment.

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GRM 3322 Geography of Advanced Economies

A world of differences exists behind the term "advanced economies". This course addresses commonalties and differences among the advanced economies in North America, Western Europe and Asian regions. The course begins with a general discussion regarding development that divides the world into the "advanced economies" or the so-called "developing world" or "third world". Brief introduction of the different regions (using regional geography approach) will follow before the course turns to examine in more details important issues that are shared in many advanced economies, including ageing population, structural economic changes, geopolitical changes, natural resource use and environmental concerns.

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GRM 3323 Urban and Regional Planning

The contents of the course provide a broad introduction to the field of urban and regional planning as a social science profession, a process of decision-making and a governmental function. The multi-disciplinary nature of planning in the geographical, socio-economic and political contexts is stressed. The course covers such planning topics as urbanization, planning nature, planning ideologies, land use, development control, planning projection and urban renewal.

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GRM 3324 Urban Planning Workshop

This is an advanced project-based course for years two and three students. The course introduces the legal frameworks, regulations, procedures and techniques of urban planning in the context of Hong Kong. Students will engage in group-projects involving district and community level planning issues. Through hands-on experience of urban planning projects, the students will understand urban planning framework and techniques, and acquire practical skills in urban planning. Prerequisite: GRM3323.

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