The course will focus on the urban and city policy-related processes (analysis, formulation, acceptance, and implementation) and strategic planning and implementation methodologies. It will start from the review of the context where local governments operate and the available strategic planning approaches, it will single out specific issues related to financial and sector policies, and in the closing block it will reconnect issues through the discussion of some integrated urban strategies. The course will cover issues like decentralization, strategic planning methodology, and practice and will have discussions on municipal finance and service delivery with special attention to local financial management and different partnership arrangements. The sectors like transportation, and utilities, as well as programs and projects of urban rehabilitation, local economic development, and urban development, will be analyzed in detail. On the other hand, issues such as social inclusion, environment, and urban economy will be treated as cross-cutting issues and discussed through their implication and relevance to the various key topics. Overall, the course will be specifically tailored around the crucial issues of local governance in the post-socialist region but will include methodology and analysis suitable for all countries involved in the globalization processes as well as case studies from different parts of the world.
Course-specific application requirement
Course applicants will be asked to submit a proposal for an issue paper as the equivalent of one of the general application requirements listed in Section VIII. Attachments of the application form ("An English language article/research paper in progress, which you would like to develop for publishing as the outcome of the course").
The issue paper must be related to one of the topics discussed in the course (see the tentative course schedule in the long description) and be written on an issue/problem/policy of the applicant's home town/country or selected from her/his work experience.
The 2-page long issue paper proposal should specify (1) what topic of the course they want to contribute to, (2) what question or issue belonging to that topic and being experienced in their city or another city in their country they want to contribute to with their issue paper, and (3) what type of information or data they will be able to provide in their final issue paper to illustrate the case of their chosen city.
Selected applicants are expected to prepare a 7-10 page highly focused issue paper based on their proposal and consultation with the course directors. The paper should include a short description of the context; an explanation of the main issues addressed with key data; an evaluation of the existing policy program or projects of interest; and if needed suggestions for policy changes. The paper should incorporate relevant concepts and methods described during the course and will be distributed to faculty and other course participants as part of discussion forums.
Completed CEU Summer University Application Form
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Notes:
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Inquiries
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Notification
The SUN Office will notify applicants about the selection results in April. Please check the 'Dates and deadlines' section on the relevant course websites for notification deadlines planned earlier or later. The final decision is not open to appeal.