# Introduction

This free course explores the ways in which urbanisation processes help to generate issues of public concern. It elaborates a theoretical framework of critical spatial thinking that can be used to analyse the complex ‘agency’ of urban processes in generating, identifying and resolving the myriad issues associated with contemporary urbanisation. This framework draws on traditions of urban thought and spatial theory in disciplines such as geography and anthropology, development studies, planning, political science and sociology.

The framework developed in this course is meant to serve as an analytical heuristic, a device for framing the questions that should be asked when seeking to understand any particular urban issue or a place-based problem.

Find out more about studying with The Open University by visiting our online prospectus

OpenLearn - Changing cities
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