This course provides an overview of 3 main topics: 1) planning legislation and the history of urban planning in Qatar and the Gulf region, 2) methods and techniques for implementing urban plans through legislation, 3) contemporary urban planning issues and how legislation addresses them. The course will also include guest speakers, a research project, and discussions of readings on comparative urban planning law.

1. Urban Planning Legislation
MUPD 610
Fall 2015
Dr. Yasser Mahgoub
ymahgoub@qu.edu.qa
Najeeba 66470537
Kholoud 55860075
Rana 66669544
Shaima 55919170
Maryam 66636220
Qatar University
College of Engineering
Department of Architecture and Urban Planning-DAUP

2. Course Information
• Program: Urban Planning and Design
• Course Code and Title: MUPD 610 - Urban
Planning Legislation (3-0-3)
• Semester: Fall 2015
• Course Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
• Instructor: Dr. Yasser Mahgoub, Associate
Professor, ymahgoub@qu.edu.qa
• Class Times: Wednesday 17:00 – 19:30
• Office Hours: Tuesday 10:00 – 12:00

3. Course Description
• This is course is an overview of planning
legislation and a short history of planning
process in Qatar and the Gulf Region.

4. Course Description
• Methods, techniques and instruments for implementing
plans through decrees and administrative acts, the basis
for urban and regional planning and its relation to
Shariah Law as well as the structure and organization of
Qatari public planning administration.

5. Course Description
• Discussion of zoning procedures, subdivision review
practices and budget preparation and execution.

6. Course Description
• This course will provide the student with focus on
contemporary urban planning issues and the role of
legislations in achieving their desired goals.

7. Course Description
• The course will focus on the Gulf region’s experience
and relate it to regional and international context.
• Specific topics related to Qatar will be discussed,
researched and presented.

8. Course Description
• Guest speakers will be invited to introduce relevant
topics.

9. Course Description
• This course offers an opportunity to explore the
contemporary subjects of urban sprawl, smart growth,
new urbanism, urban revitalization, affordable housing,
transportation planning, and a range of issues affecting
urban design and environmental sustainability.

10. Course Description
• Focusing on the experiences of a
wide array of cities and nations
in addressing the breadth of
urban and regional planning
concerns, the class addresses
the comparison of legal
mechanisms addressing or
affecting urban planning.

11. Course Description
• The class places special emphasis on the experience in
the Arabian Gulf but reflects the experiences from the
rest of the world.

12. Course Objectives
• Understand the role of legislation in urban planning.
• Know how urban planning was developed in Qatar and
Gulf region.
• Research for knowledge related to the field of urban
planning legislation.

13. Expectations and Learning
Outcomes
• Developing an understanding of the nature, purpose,
methods and practice of planning. This includes
knowledge about the governance, planning laws and
politics and their impact on individuals and communities
often in a multicultural environment and the techniques
of policy analysis and project-making.

14. Expectations and Learning
Outcomes
• Understanding of processes of change in the built
environment and the relationships between the social,
economic and physical factors associated with the
development of the built environment;
• Developing the ability to undertake a substantial
outcome of specialist based independent research.

15. Course Topics
• Role of legislation in urban planning
• Quality of Urban Life
• Urban growth vs Smart growth
• Housing provision
• Urban renewal and revitalization
• Sustainable Urbainsm

16. Nature of Instruction and Delivery
• Lectures
• Readings
• Discussions
• Research Project
• Term Paper Writing
• Term Paper Presentation
• In‐class activities
• Guest speakers
• Etc.

17. General Requirements and Protocol
• Attendance is a must.
• Conduct in class should be professional and attentive.
• Emailing policy: important messages and information will
be distributed by email. Please monitor your email
regularly for updates.
• Handouts and lecture materials will be distributed by
Blackboard.
• Participation in class discussions is monitored and
evaluated
• Taking notes in class is extremely important.

18. General Requirements and Protocol
• Submission of exercises should be done on time. Late
submissions of assignments will result in 10% deduction.
• Homework and class work requirements should be
followed closely.
• Writing submissions should follow international research
papers standards formats.
• Lead one class discussion and post discussion topics
online before class
• Final submission(details later)

19. Textbook
• Comparative urban planning law : an introduction to
urban land development law in the United States through
the lens of comparing the experience of other nations /
James A. Kushner. Durham, N.C. : Carolina Academic
Press, c2003.

20. Other Readings
1- Planning Middle Eastern Cities: An
Urban Kaledioscope in a Globalizing
World. Editor - Yasser Elsheshtawy
Publisher: Routledge (10/30/2004)
2- The Evolving Arab City: Tradition,
Modernity and Urban Development.
Editor - Yasser Elsheshtawy. Publisher:
Routledge (27/05/2008)

21. Attendance Policy
• According to the QU policy , pg 29 of Student
Handbook: “Class participation and attendance
are important elements of every student’s
learning experience at QU, and the student is
expected to attend all classes. Keeping track of
the student’s attendance and observation of the
student’s performance in class are the
responsibilities of the instructor. A student
should not miss more than 25% of the classes
during a semester. Those exceeding this limit
will receive a failing grade regardless of their
performance. “

22. Attendance Policy
• Attendance is expected in all 16 weekly class
sessions. Two (2) absent sessions without
excuse will result in 1st warning, the next (1)
absent session will results in 2nd warning. The
student will receive failing grade if he/she does
not attend one (1) more session. (4/16=25%)
• Attendance will be treated “very seriously” in this
course.
• Medical excuses will be scrutinized.

23. Grading Policy
• Attendance according to QU regulations
• Participation in class 10 %
• Assignments 40 %
• Term project 40%
• Term project presentation 10%

24. Course Schedule
Week Date Lecture
Week 1 September 16, 2015 Course Introduction
Week 2 September 23, 2015 Eid Adha Vacation
Week 3 September 30, 2015 Readings discussion 1
Week 4 October 7, 2015 Assignment 1 introduction
Overview of Planning Legislation
Week 5 October 14, 2015 Readings discussion 2
UP History
Week 6 October 21, 2015 Assignment 1 Presentations
Assignment 2 introduction
Week 7 October 28, 2015 Readings discussion 3
Contemporary UP Issues
Week 8 November 4, 2015 Guest Speaker
Gulf Experiences –Doha
Week 9 November 11, 2015 Readings discussion 4
Gulf Experiences – Kuwait
Week 10 November 18, 2015 Assignment 2 Presentation
Week 11 November 25, 2015 Readings discussion 5
Comparative UP Law - 1 City Life
Week 12 December 2, 2015 Readings discussion - Comparative UP Law - 2 Curitiba
Week 13 December 9, 2015 Readings discussion - Urban Design
Week 14 December 16, 2015 Project Review - Guest speaker/reviewer
Week 15 December 23, 2015 Project review
Week 16 December 30, 2015 Project Presentations

25. Support for Students with Special
Needs
• It is Qatar University policy to provide educational opportunities
that ensure fair, appropriate and reasonable accommodation to
students who have disabilities that may affect their ability to
participate in course activities or meet course requirements.
Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact their Instructor
to ensure that their individual needs are met. The University
through its Special Needs Section will exert all efforts to
accommodate for individuals’ needs.
• Contact Information for Special Needs Section:
• Tel-Female: (00974) 4403 3843
• Tel-Male: (00974) 4403 3854
• Location: Student Activities Building
• Email: specialneeds@qu.edu.qa
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26. Academic Support and Learning
Resources
• The University Student Learning Support Center (SLSC) provides
academic support services to male and female students at QU. The
SLSC is a supportive environment where students can seek
assistance with academic coursework, writing assignments,
transitioning to college academic life, and other academic issues.
SLSC programs include: Peer Tutoring, the Writing Lab, Writing
Workshops, and Academic Success Workshops. Students may also
seek confidential academic counseling from the professional staff at
the Center.
• Contact Information for Students Support and Learning Resources:
• Tel: (00974) 4403 3876
• Fax: (00974) 4403 3871
• Location: Female Student Activities Building
• E-mail: learningcenter@qu.edu.qa
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27. Student Complaints Policy
• Students at Qatar University have the right to pursue complaints related
to faculty, staff, and other students. The nature of the complaints may
be either academic or non-academic. For more information about the
policy and processes related to this policy, you may refer to the students’
handbook.
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28. Declaration
• This syllabus and contents are subject to changes in the event of
extenuating circumstances. The instructor (with approval of the
Head of Department) reserves the right to make changes as
necessary. If changes are necessitated during the term of the
course, the students will be notified by email communication and
posting the notification on the online teaching tool Blackboard. It
is student’s responsibility to check on announcements made while
they were absent.
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29. End

30. MUPD 601 - Urban Planning Legislation - Course Summary
• Program: Urban Planning and Design
• Course Code and Title: MUPD 601 - Urban Planning
Legislation (3-0-3)
• Semester: Fall
• Course Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
• Instructor: Dr. Yasser Mahgoub, Associate Professor,
ymahgoub@qu.edu.qa
• Class Times: Sunday 17:00 – 19:30
• Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 11:00 – 12:00
• This course provides an overview of planning
legislation and a short history of planning
process in Qatar and the Gulf Region.
• Methods, techniques and instruments for
implementing plans through decrees and
administrative acts, the basis for urban and regional
planning and its relation to Shariah Law as well as the
structure and organization of Qatari public planning
administration.
• Discussion of zoning procedures, subdivision review
practices and budget preparation and execution.
• This course provides students with focus on
contemporary urban planning issues and the role of
legislations in achieving their desired goals.
• The course focuses on the Gulf region’s experience
and relate it to regional and international context.
• Specific topics related to Qatar are discussed,
researched and presented. Guest speakers are invited
to introduce relevant topics.
•Impact of legislation on tall buildings in Qatar
•By: Bothayna Abbara
Samples of students research selected topics:
•Managing multi-cultural cities: the case of Doha
•By: Reham Qawasmeh