REMP33-Land, Property Rights and Institutions

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2018/9

Email: a.chettiparamb@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Knowledge of practices of land management from across the world and the impacts these have on individuals and societies are essential for understanding the professional context of real estate and planning interventions and appreciating the consequences that follow. This module discusses this important issue.

Aims:

The aim of this module is to introduce students to theories, concepts, tools and techniques that underpin current practices in managing land and property across the world. Critical issues arising from property rights and management practices including the different institutional and normative contexts that underpin them are discussed. Experimentation in land management techniques, evaluation of documented experience and forms of institutionalisation emerging from the various contexts are also covered.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

• Discern the philosophical roots of current practices in land and property rights.


• Understand the influence of property rights regimes on ecological systems, poverty, food security, gender and the influence of globalisation.

• Critically appreciate land and property management techniques and ways in which these have been institutionalized in various contexts.

Additional outcomes:

Development of cross cultural understanding, analytical and reflective skills to produce ‘position papers’, skills in debating, skills in knowledge synthesis and creativity to produce solutions.

Outline content:

• The philosophies underpinning property rights


• Common property regimes


• Ecological systems, food security and property rights


• Tenure and land grab


• Housing, gender and property rights.


• Land Banks and Planning


• Plot reconstitution and land assembly


• Development rights and Transferable Development Rights


• Unbundling property rights – Community Land Trusts

Global context:

The module as a whole is set within a Global Context with Case Studies and issues from around the world discussed.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be delivered through a combination of interactive lectures, student research and exercises. The first half of the module will be largely composed of interactive lectures. The latter half of the module will be based on the case study method of teaching. The assessment will require student research, debating and problem solving skills.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Not applicable

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

There are two components of assessment. The first involves students having to debate a pre-set topic and submit a position paper (500 words) a day before the debate which will be scheduled in week 7. The second assessment will involve a set problem the details of which will be provided. Students will need to research further and propose a solution using one or a combination of techniques for managing land/property. Report word length will be 3,500 words. The report will need to be submitted at the beginning of Summer term.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

The pass-mark for this module is 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment of the second assessment will be by the same method as for the module’s original assessment requirement. Reassessment of the debate will consist of a position paper of 1500 words.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 31 July 2018