Course detail

Law in Architectural Practice

FA-SP2-KEAcad. year: 2022/2023

The aim of the course is to provide students with the information on the basic legislative framework for architectural practice performed in the European Union together with selected topics for the Czech environment. Students will familiarize with the common EU legislative framework in the field of construction industry and spatial planning: performing the profession, sustainability of buildings, building products, conservation of landscape etc. The information is complemented by selected rules and institutes from the Czech legislation: the process of planning, basic rules of Code of Administrative Procedure, of planning permission proceedings and basic of construction law. Further students will be introduced to the principles of Spatial Development Policy in CR and EU. Students will work on practical assignments where they will deal with the procedures and legislation of town and country planning in various countries which they will further compare in their semestral works.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Department

Department of Urban Design (UU)

Offered to foreign students

The home faculty only

Learning outcomes of the course unit

  • Students will know the basics of legal and administrative system of EU and CR.
  • Students will know the instruments of town and country planning.
  • Students will have knowledge about location and permission of buildings.
  • Students will know the basics of legal regulations related to construction law.
  • Students will have basic knowledge necessary for negotiation of intention with the responsible authorities, building authority and clients.
  • Students will know the basics of legal regulations necessary to perform professional activities as an independent architect.

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Základem výuky je výklad tématu v rámci semináře a následná diskuse nad daným tématem. Studenti zpracují seminární práci srovnávající probíraná témata s jejich národní legislativou a tuto práci průběžně prezentují.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Students will be awarded the credit for elaboration and presentation of a seminar work.
Evaluation is based on oral exam.

Course curriculum

Semester block schedule:
  1. Introduction: Basic legal terminology. Legal and administrative system in EU and CR. Code of Administrative Procedure. Functioning of public administration. Building Act, its content, principles. Implementation decrees of Building Act
  2. Town and country planning: town and country planning instruments, creation of land-use planning documentation
  3. Permission of buildings: Location of buildings, building permit proceedings, simplified methods. Structure realization, use and removing structures
  4. Relevant legislation: Technical requirements for buildings and construction products. Environment protection, assessments of the impacts of concepts on the environment. Energy performance of buildings. Waste disposal. Administrative delict. Expropriation
  5. Legal framework of professional practice of architects: Selected activities in construction, act on the professional practice, Czech Chamber of Architects. Basic industrial/labour-law relations, elements of job contract. Trade Licensing Act. Trade corporations, their basic features, position of partners

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim of the course is to familiarize the students with the basic legal regulations necessary to perform professional activities as an architect or urban planner.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Participation in the seminars is compulsory, only two absences are tolerated. More absences are tolerated only in case of serious reasons. Compensation is partly possible via personal consultation of study materials.
Elaboration and presentation of the semestral work is compulsory.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

EUR-Lex. Access to European Union Law (online). URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en (EN)
Spatial Planning and Building Rules (online). Ministry of Regional Development CZ. URL: https://www.mmr.cz/en/ministerstvo/spatial-planning-and-building-rules (EN)
BOBEK, Michal; POUPEROVÁ, Olga. An Introduction to the Czech Legal System and Legal Resources Online. New York: NYU Law, 2018. URL: https://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/Czech_Republic1.html (EN)

Recommended reading

Právní předpisy [Legislation] (online). Brno: UUR, 2013. http://www.uur.cz/default.asp?ID=3220 (contains archive translation of the Building Act and related decrees) (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BX_A+U Bachelor's

    branch ARCH , 1. year of study, winter semester, elective

  • Programme NX_A+U Master's, 1. year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme NE_A+U Master's, 2. year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Seminar

39 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer