The objective of the first course on Urbanization is to provide the students a theoretical background complemented with empirical research and illustrations on the key issues studied in this area of development. 1. Theories of Urbanism Introduction, What is Urbanism, Urban theories such as by George Simmel, The Chicago School, Louis Wirth, Castells and new sociology, Henri Lefebvre, Richard Sennet, New urbanism 2. Trends in urban development: The developed and the developing world Emergence and Nature of cities, Features of Modern Urbanization 3.Urban- Rural Divide Linkages- Migration, New forms of occupation (Informal Sector) & Problems Infrastructure and Livelihoods/migration/informal sector/Economics 4.Cities as agents of Political, Economic and Social Change