Urban Economics · Economics
basic urban economics principles, a few models, stuff about regressions
4 problem sets, 1 take home midterm and 1 very easy final (I wrote the 15 page essay)
The standard urban economics model. Agglomeration economies. The rationale behind building skyscrapers. Zoning regulation. Filtering and housing affordability. The risks and assets of gentrification. Happiness Economics.
This was the only interesting class I was taking this semester. I would love going to class, Brendan is a funny professor and very laid back. Urban economics, is a very interesting topic, and the class is very doable compared to other Columbia College classes out there! btw you will def. Definitely take this class if you are taking other core classes like Econometrics or int. micro those are though classes. this class is fun and easy. The only problem with the class, is that sometimes you will feel lost trying to do the problem sets which are pretty weird, but if you take into consideration that the p.sets are every 2 weeks, kind of short and you can do them in teams is not bad trust me....
This course provides us with a wealth of general information. I learned how to apply theoretical concepts to real-world experiences. I have learnt to work with my peers on group projects, and allowed me to appreciate different perspectives.
5 problem sets, take home midterm, choice between 15 page paper and easy final or no paper and hard final
Overall a great class if you are interested in economics and econometrics
This is a poor excuse for a course. O'Flaherty is an extremely boring lecturer, he speaks really quietly, and he is a bad teacher. This is reflected by the fact that the classroom was always pretty empty. The material could be interesting, but his dry, long-winded lectures made it torturous. His textbook is definitely clearer than his lectures, but it is also unnecessarily long. O'Flaherty is surely well-intentioned; he really cares about the course and its material. However, this does not make up for the fact that he is incompetent at teaching. He has a tendency to gloss over important concepts very quickly, but he will spend far more time talking about a table that hardly matters at all. This is a very easy econ elective, but I would highly recommend staying away. It is easily the worst class I've taken at Columbia.
The readings, which critical thinking, and lectures complemented the lectures. To improve the course, I recommend adding more discussion in groups and peer projects to boost the course. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Spring 2025 Course: ECONGU4228_001_2025_1-URBANECONOMICS : URBAN ECONOMICS Sp 2025-ECONGU4228_001_2025_1 - URBAN ECONOMICS Instructor: Jason Barr
Workload is very reasonable. 4 long problem sets, but you can work in groups. Takehome midterm. Option of paper and easy final or hard final without paper.