Legal rules are tied to urban space. Illustrative is the relation between land ownership and urban morphology. Legal concepts with spatial impacts are introduced and related to the theory of urban design. Moreover, it is discussed how these concepts shape specific places. The course includes interactive sequences for which active participation is expected.
Learning objective
Students recognize the interplay between legal structures and urban space. They can describe legal concepts with spatial impact. Moreover, they are able to compare legally binding targets with theoretical approaches in urban design. By analysing a specific place, students learn to find relevant norms, to analyse and to judge them with regard to urban design theories. Thereby, they are able to distinguish design and policy questions.
Content
Using the the term «lawscape» (Philippopoulos-Mihalopoulos), we initially discuss general aspects of the interplay between legal rules and urban space. In the following weeks we consider the interplay with reference to different dimensions of urban space (e.g. morphological, social, funcional dimension).
Working tools are theoretical texts, legal rules, court decisions as well as site analyses. Students prepare the texts for joint discussions and undertake a case study in small groups. Selected case studies are presented and discussed in a final meeting.
