The course consists of the following modules:
- The meaning and complexities of urban governance, pertaining to intergovernmental relations, transversal management and co-governance by non-state actors;
- The normative ends of urban law, as held forth by international instruments such as Goal 11 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Urban Agenda, as well as the "urbanization of human rights law";
- The notion of "urban autonomy" and the constitutional powers, functions, competencies and responsibilities of urban local governments in South Africa;
- The legislative framework for urban local governance in South Africa, with a focus on the functioning of political and participatory structures and processes, as well as the law pertaining to service delivery, monitoring, support and intervention;
- The legal and structural dimensions of service delivery failure in South African cities;
- The notion of spatial justice and an overview of planning law and integrated development planning;
- The legislative and policy framework for urban housing development and a case study of the confluence of housing rights, housing law, and intergovernmental relations in relation to overcoming spatial apartheid; and
- An introduction to municipal finance law in the context of South African cities in financial distress.
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