By the end of the course the students will have a comprehensive knowledge of the theories of, and contemporary issues in urban politics. They will have acquired the understanding that urban development does not take place in a vacuum but has a political background. The students will have the sufficient knowledge to discuss and critically evaluate the major theoretical approaches in urban politics field. With the help of such knowledge, they will grasp and also analyze the political background of urban development. The students will be able to set the links between practical issues of urbanization and wider political processes at both national and local levels.