Urban Policy and Analytics

Cities are core to human political, social, and economic life (Storber, 2013) and there is significant and growing academic debate and empirical research around the role and effect of city living. There are also significant questions raised in real world governance, public policy, and analysis for policy around cities, both in the developed world (for instance, policy debate around the devolution agenda in the UK, specifically in terms of Greater Manchester) and in the Global South. Core to these debates is the question of the universality or particularity of the urban experience; that is, the extent to which urbanisation is a universal process, with common driving forces, or is particular to each individual city case. This is a key question in urban studies, and has significant implications for our analysis of, and analysis for, urban policy. For example, what can we learn from Manchester’s experience of urbanisation and its recent devolution governance reforms, and can this learning be applied to current governance and policy questions in the Global South? Are policy ideas and innovations ‘mobile’ – can an idea that fits the policy, economic and social context of Manchester (for example) be transferred to other cities, and what are the implications of this? What are the challenges of analysing, interpreting and comparing data? What can evaluations of policy interventions in one city tell us about the likely success of that intervention in other areas? The overall aim of this programme is to consider the challenge that urbanism brings to our analysis for, and our analysis of, urban policy. The programme will focus on different theoretical and empirical approaches to understanding urban governance, policy and data analysis for policy. It will provide students will analytical skills to undertake research in urban studies.

With such a large student body, there are plenty of different nationalities represented within the university’s classes. For international students there is help and advice that begins before they arrive I the UK and continues while they are there. This includes specific information by the country for applicants, assistance with immigration and visas paperwork and even help finding accommodation. There is also lots of general help to integrate with the new community and find those with similar interests and culture to themselves. Finally, there is help with English should this not be a first language for students. The Union MMU is at the heart of activities outside the classroom for the university’s students. It has a building on both the campuses and is available to offer advice and guidance for its members as well as organising the various sports and interest clubs and societies. There are student forums held five times a year for students to voice their opinions on matters that affect them and student groups that have their own representatives as well. Student run media include a radio station, website and print media. The union building in Manchester covers some four floors and includes a bar and nightclub, shops and banking facilities, a student activities centre and advice centre as well as space for those working to run the union.