This asynchronous graduate seminar connects urban economics, strategy, and city competition to design practice and the public value of urban change. Students learn how cities compete for capital, residents, visitors, and talent, and how those contests influence regional economics, transportation, districts, streets, public spaces, and development choices. Through case studies, short memos, and a term project, the seminar breaks down economic forces, real estate logic, transportation strategy, branding theory, heritage value, public disinvestment, and regenerative strategies. The class stays focused on equity and power, probing who benefits, who pays the price, and where design can anchor fairer, longer-lasting, strategies that expand access, protect cultural value, and support climate-conscious reinvestment. The term closes with a district-scale urban strategy and brand dossier linking analysis, narrative, design moves, implementation tools, risk assessment and measures of public value.