Urban Planning Legislations Course

1. MUPD 601 - Urban Planning Legislation – Dr. Yasser Mahgoub 1
Qatar University
College of Engineering
Department of Architecture and Urban Planning - DAUP
Master of Urban Planning and Design Program - MUPD
Course Code and Title: MUPD 601 - 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
Course Description
This course is 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 will provide the student with focus on contemporary urban planning issues and
the role of legislations in achieving their desired goals. 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. Guest speakers will be invited to
introduce relevant topics.
This course offers an opportunity to explore the 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. 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. The class places special emphasis on the experience in the Arabian Gulf but
reflects the experiences from the rest of the world.
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.
PLOs:
4.2.1. (d) legal studies including knowledge about constitutional rights and principles,
state and local government law, administrative rules and regulations, especially those
focusing on the use and taxation of land. (Assignment 2)
4.2.2. (f) the adoption, administration and implementation of plans and related policy
including knowledge of the relevant regulations (zoning, review processes), incentives,
techniques (public finance and capital budgeting) and technologies, and agencies
conducting planning or employing planners. (Assignment 3)

2. MUPD 601 - Urban Planning Legislation – Dr. Yasser Mahgoub 2
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;
- 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
Nature of Instruction and Delivery
- Lectures
- Readings
- Discussions
- Research Project
- Term Paper
- In‐class activities
- Guest speakers
- Other.
General Requirements and Protocol
- Attendance is a must.
- Conduct in class should be professional and attentive.
- Participation in class discussions is monitored and evaluated
- 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 in class and BB.
- Taking notes in class is extremely important.
- 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.
- Research submission should follow international research paper standards formats.
- Lead one class discussion and post discussion topics online before class
- Final Paper (details later)
Reading requirements
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.
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)
Grading Policy:
- Attendance according to QU regulations
- Participation in class 10 %
- Assignments 40 %
- Term project 40%
- Term project presentation 10%

3. MUPD 601 - Urban Planning Legislation – Dr. Yasser Mahgoub 3
Course Schedule:
Posted and updated on Blackboard.
Week Date Lecture
Week 1 September 16, 2015 Course Introduction
Week 2 September 23, 2015 Eid Adha Vacation
Week 3 September 30, 2015 Assignment 1 introduction
Overview of Planning Legislation
Week 4 October 7, 2015 Readings discussion 1
Guest Speaker
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 Gulf Experiences –Doha
Week 8 November 4, 2015 Gulf Experiences –Doha
Week 9 November 11, 2015 Gulf Experiences – Kuwait
Week 10 November 18, 2015 Assignment 2 Presentation
Project Introduction
Week 11 November 25, 2015 Comparative UP Law - 1 City Life
Project Review
Week 12 December 2, 2015 Comparative UP Law - 2 Curitiba
Project Review
Week 13 December 9, 2015 Project Review
Week 14 December 16, 2015 Project Review
Week 15 December 23, 2015 Project review
Week 16 December 30, 2015 Project Presentations

4. MUPD 601 - Urban Planning Legislation – Dr. Yasser Mahgoub 4
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
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
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.
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.
Faculty Name : Dr. Yasser Mahgoub
Last Modified :
Date : December 31, 2015