Spatial Planning, Urbanism and Environment

• Understand the distribution of land uses across the territory, at different scales, and interpret its historical, economic, environmental and urbanistic aspects.

• Understand and describe the different forms of intra-urban organization and the theories of location of activities, in the light of the history of urbanism and modern urbanistic doctrines.

• Understand the framework of land uses under the relevant legislation on environmental and land use planning.

• Understand and describe the process of regional and urban planning, with special focus on its environmental implications and its coordination with economic cycles.

• Become acquainted with the political and administrative instruments of intervention on the territory.

1. Political, legal and administrative framework for Spatial Planning in Portugal. Land ownership: content in terms of real rights and articulation with environmental law. The systems of political organization throughout history and their consequences in the organization of the territory. Prerogatives and competences of the public administration in matters of planning and environment. Territorial management instruments.

2. Relationship between territorial planning and economic system and environmental protection. Real estate economics. Impact of economic, demographic and technological cycles on the dynamics of land use and the management of land tenure expectations.

3. Historical legacies in territorial occupation patterns in Portugal. The evolution of urban fabrics. Fractionation of property and its implications.

4. Territorial plans and sectoral environmental programs. Municipal powers in environmental and planning matters: the Municipal Master Plans, the Municipal Ecological Structure and the Municipal Forest Defense Plans against Fires. Environmental programs and strategic documents: National Water Plan, National Strategy for Biodiversity and National Strategy for Forests. Effects of environmental policies on territorial plans: Environmental Strategic Assessments.

NAO