Location is one of the most consequential strategic decisions an organization can make. Whether establishing a corporate headquarters, selecting sites for manufacturing facilities, expanding a retail network, investing in commercial real estate, developing logistics infrastructure, or entering international markets, location decisions influence operating costs, revenue potential, labor access, customer reach, supply chain efficiency, regulatory exposure, and long-term enterprise value. Urban economics provides the analytical framework for understanding how cities function, how businesses compete within geographic markets, and how demographic, economic, infrastructure, and policy factors shape investment opportunities.
This advanced course provides a practical, executive-oriented study of urban economics and location strategy. Rather than introducing basic economic geography or city planning concepts, the course focuses on how executives, institutional investors, developers, consultants, and corporate strategists evaluate metropolitan regions, economic clusters, transportation systems, labor markets, taxation, infrastructure, and real estate dynamics when making major investment and expansion decisions. Students will examine how location strategy supports competitive advantage, operational excellence, capital allocation, organizational growth, and portfolio optimization across domestic and international markets.
Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on practical frameworks used by Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Chief Strategy Officers (CSOs), Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), Chief Operating Officers (COOs), corporate real estate executives, site selection consultants, logistics leaders, institutional investors, commercial developers, private equity firms, multinational corporations, manufacturers, retailers, healthcare systems, infrastructure organizations, government economic development agencies, and family offices. Students will develop executive-level capabilities required to evaluate geographic opportunities, optimize location decisions, manage regional investment risk, and create long-term enterprise value.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
• Analyze urban economies using advanced business and investment frameworks.
• Evaluate location decisions that support organizational growth and competitive advantage.
• Integrate demographic, labor, infrastructure, taxation, and regulatory factors into strategic site selection.
• Assess metropolitan markets for corporate expansion, investment, and development opportunities.
• Develop location strategies that optimize operational efficiency and financial performance.
• Evaluate regional economic development initiatives and their impact on business investment.
• Design geographically diversified business and real estate portfolios.
• Measure location performance using financial, operational, and strategic metrics.
• Manage location-related risks associated with economic cycles, infrastructure, policy, and environmental factors.
• Apply executive leadership principles to enterprise location and expansion decisions.
