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 summarized in the programme outline. For more information visit the study handbook or contact the study adviser.

Thesis track-related subject
Subject Code
Compulsory
Economic Modelling for Sustainability Challenges ENR32806
Economics of Urban Environmental Challenges UEC32306
Compulsory unless your study adviser indicates differently:
Environmental Economics for Environmental Sciences ENR21306
Restricted Optional: Select at least two
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
MSc Internship Environmental Economics ENR70224
MSc Internship Urban Economics UEC70224
Restricted optional: Select one thesis
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 how your schedule might look like for your whole study programme:

MSc Urban Environmental Management - Urban Environmental Economics