NIGK20001U Rural-Urban Transformations in the Global South

Volume 2026/2027
Education

MSc Programme in Geography and Geoinformatics with a minor subject
MSc Programme in Geography and Geoinformatics 
MSc Programme in Environment and Development
MSc Programme in Global Environment and Development

 

Content

The aim of the course is to provide an in-depth theoretical and empirical understanding of contemporary rural-urban transformations in the Global South. The course provides a critical overview of urbanization processes and associated transformations of both urban and rural spaces, which are inextricably linked economically, politically, socially and environmentally. The course considers urban expansion, peri-urbanization, migration, multi-locality, small town growth and rural industries. Resilience of rural and urban communities is considered in relation to wider rural-urban transformations and, international political agendas and global environmental change (including climate change). The course provides an introduction to contemporary debates within human geography on how to theorize the shifting geographies of urbanization and interconnected processes of rural transformation. The theoretical literature informs the comparison of case studies from rapidly urbanizing low- and middle-income countries in Africa and Asia. The course considers how rural-urban transformations are situated within the global agenda on sustainable development.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

Rural-urban transformation, sustainable development, urbanization, urban expansion, peri-urbanization, rural transformation, small town growth, rural-urban connections, migration, multi-locality, urban resilience.

 

Skills:

  • Identify and outline relevant theoretical approaches to contemporary rural-urban transformations in the Global South.
  • Critically evaluate research approaches and methodologies for examining rural-urban transformations in the Global South.
  • Critically scrutinize quantitative, qualitative and geospatial data sources providing insights on urbanization, population dynamics, migration patterns and urban expansion.

 

Competences:

  • Criticially discuss theoretical approaches to rural-urban transformations and how these relate to debates within human geography.
  • Empirically assess aspects of rural-urban transformations in the Global South, including the dynamics of urbanization, urban expansion, rural transformation, migration and small town growth.
  • Consider the potential impact of global, national and local policies on rural-urban transformations and how these transformations can be supported in a sustainable, inclusive and equitable manner.

 

Please see Absalon.

BSc in Geography and Geoinformatics or equivalent is recommended.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
The form of teaching is highly interactive seminars combining a variety of teaching formats, including lectures, group work, reflection exercises, matrix analyses, speed discussions, quizzes, games and students presentations. For the teaching plan, please see Absalon.
The course is identical to NIGK17009U Livelihoods and Rural-Urban Connections in the Global South. It is not allowed to pass both courses.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Preparation
  • 171
  • Theory exercises
  • 35
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 20 minutes
Type of assessment details
The oral exam takes point of departure in questions shared with the students at least one week before the exam.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners.
Re-exam

Re-examination is identical to the ordinary exam.

Criteria for exam assesment

See learning outcome.