This class introduces students into basic features of the legal system. Fundamental issues of constitutional law, administrative law, private law and the law of the EU are covered. The focus is on legal problems related to space. Active participation is expected in short interactive sequences.

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.

State structure, legal system and negotiation processes related hereto shape the dynamics in the production of space and the image of landscapes, infrastructures and settlements. Spatially relevant legal provisions can provide impulses as design factors when planning spaces and territories at different scales and with different degrees of urbanization.

This course provides an introduction to heritage protection law at all levels of the federal system. It covers the legal concept of monuments, legal sources, instruments and procedures, as well as the integration of heritage protection law into spatial planning and construction law. An excursion illustrates the role of cultural heritage law and encourages critical discussion.

Students will be introduced to the basic principles of planning and public construction legislation (development application procedures) as well as to the basics of public procurement law.