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Environment, Space and Housing

Code: 101248
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Social and Cultural Anthropology OP 4

Contact lecturer

Name :
Maria Teresa Tapada Berteli
Email :
teresa.tapada@uab.cat

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

There are no official prerequisites compulsory to attend this subject

Objectives

The course aims the student to introduce to the theoretical contributions and applied knowledge of the anthropology of the built environment and the urban anthropology. After the acquirement of these basic knowledge, the course introduces to the critical approach of urban policies from the anthropological perspective.

Learning outcomes

  1. Enumerating the theories about human species in their relation to society and culture production.
  2. Analysing a contemporary fact from an anthropological perspective.
  3. Identifying the recent disciplinary developments and the correlation between the anthropological theory and the social disciplines related in their historical development and the current interdisciplinary tendencies.
  4. Identifying the contemporary interdisciplinary tendencies shared by the Anthropology and social disciplines related to the corresponding field.
  5. Identifying the various relationship processes between human populations and their environment.
  6. Producing materials related to the human population-environment relationships that may have a critical impact on the political and common sense conceptions in their respective fields.
  7. Analysing data critically from anthropological investigations and reports.
  8. Explaining the work's results narratively in accordance with the critical standards of discipline and bearing in mind the different target audiences.
  9. Identifying the sociocultural variability in specific ethnographic contexts.
  10. Express ideas with a specific vocabulary appropriate to the discipline.
  11. Assess the reliability of sources, select important data and cross-check information.
  12. Analyse a situation and identify points for improvement.
  13. Explain the explicit or implicit code of practice of one's own area of knowledge.
  14. Identify main and secondary ideas and express them with linguistic correctness.
  15. Identify the social, economic and environmental implications of academic and professional activities within one?s own area of knowledge.
  16. Identify situations that require improvement or change.
  17. Propose projects and actions that incorporate the gender perspective.
  18. Carry out ethical use of the information especially when it is of a personal nature.
  19. Critically identify and compose a basic bibliography for the field opf study.

Contents


1. Introduction and objectives of the course.


2. Perspectives from urban and space anthropology: the spatialization of culture.

a. Theoretical principles and basic concepts.

b. From urban anthropology to space anthropology.

c. From tangible to intangible: the physical space, the experience of the use of space and imagined space.


3.Forms of space appropriation and vernacular construction in the age of globalization.

a. Traditional and vernacular constructions.

b. Cultural diversity in the use of space.

c.The process of globalization and its impact on the perception of the territory: deterritorialization and identity.


4. Processes of adaptation and socio-symbolic meanings of physical space: sense of belonging, identity and social and community empowerment.

a. The physical space as a projection of the social structure at various scales: housing, block, inter-block, street, neighbourhood, city.

b. The physical space as a projection of norms, habits and sociocultural practices. c. The urban re-accommodation as a reterritorialization experience.


5. The problem of housing, identity processes and social movements.


6. The applicability of anthropological knowledge from an interdisciplinary perspective.


7. Conclusions. Methodology

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Individual tutorials 5 0.2 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Discussions in the classroom 15 0.6 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Personal Study 25 1 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 18, 19
Search for information (libraries or other sources). Personal study. Reading. 10 0.4 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 18, 19
Tutorials-supervised work 19 0.76 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Reading 25 1 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Theoretical Classes and practices directed by the teacher 30 1.2 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Training activities: theoretical classes and guided practices, directed readings and presentation of the work.

Teaching methodology: master classes, viewing of documentaries, debates, individual reading and group discussion.

Training activities

Type: Directed

Theoretical classes and practices directed by the teacher

Discussions in the classroom

 

 

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Essay 30% 3 0.12 1, 3, 4, 13
Participation 20% 10 0.4 2, 5, 9, 13
Individual Work 40% 3 0.12 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
Presentation of the course work at the Final Seminar (individual) 10% 5 0.2 7, 8, 9, 16

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

  • 40% Individual assignment on a topic of the student’s choice, supervised by the teacher (urban social movement, specific urban space, rural space, architectural space, etc.).
  • 30% Written exam based on material covered in class, compulsory theoretical readings, videos and lectures.
  • 20%: Participation in class discussions and practical exercises completed and handed in during class. This component cannot be subject of re-evaluation.
  • 10%: Presentation of the course project at the final seminar (individual). This component cannot be be subject of re-evaluation.


Both the individual assignment and the written examination are assessable on the dates set out in the timetable approved by the Dean’s Office. Non-participation in class discussions and group practical exercises (PAUL), and the one-off presentation in the Final Seminar, cannot be resat, as it is not possible to replicate the conditions of these exercises on an individual basis.


A minimum mark of 4.5 is required in the written assessment for the course in order for it to be included in the calculation of the final average mark for the course. If you obtain a mark below this, you will fail the module and will have to sit the exam again during the resit period. If, despite having passed the exam, the average final mark for the module is below 5, the module will be failed.

Attendance and participation (20%) and the presentation of the course assignment at the Final Seminar (10%) cannot be retaken during the resit period set out in the Dean’s calendar. Obviously, the exam and the course assignment can be retaken during the designated resit period.


The student will be awarded the grade ‘Not assessed’ if they have completed or submitted assessment tasks accounting for 30 per cent or less of the module’s final mark.


At the time of each assessment activity, the lecturer will inform students (via Moodle) of the procedure and the date for reviewing marks.

Should a student commit any irregularity that could lead to a significant change in the mark for an assessment, that assessment will be marked as 0, regardless of any disciplinary proceedings that may be initiated. If multiple irregularities occur in the assessments for the same module, the final mark for that module will be 0.

This module permits the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies exclusively for bibliographic or information-searching tasks.


USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

Students must (i) identify the parts that have been generated using AI; (ii) specify the tools used; and (iii) include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final outcome of the activity. A lack of transparency regarding the use of AI in this assessed activity will be considered a breach of academic integrity by the and will result in the activity being marked as a zero and deemed irrecoverable, or in more severe sanctions in more serious cases.

FINAL ASSESSMENT:

This module is subject to a single assessment, which will consist of:

1. A written examination based on the course’s theoretical material (40%)

2. A case study assignment on the analysis of the built environment, chosen by the student (40%).

3. Two pieces of evidence of participation in activities outside of face-to-face classes related to the course subject matter (20%). (For example, a summary of a lecture, a workshop, etc.) The three assignments must be submitted on the single assessment date set by the Dean’s Office. Students may opt for the single assessment by completing a form available from the Faculty’s Academic Administration from October 2026 (please check the official dates).


Bibliography

Altman, Irvin, Rapoport, Amos, & Wohlwill, Joachim F. (1980). Environment and culture. New York: Plenum Press.

Altman, Irvin, & Wohlwill Joachim F. (1976). Human behavior and environment: Advances in theory and research. New York: Plenum Press.

Ashmore, Wendy, & Kent, Susan (2006). Integrating the diversity of twenty-first-century anthropology : The life and intellectual legacies of Susan Kent. Arlington, Va.: American Anthropological Association.

Atkin, Tony, & Rykwert, Joseph (2005). Structure and meaning in human settlements (1st ed.). Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Augé, M. (1995). Non-places : Introduction to an anthropology of supermodernity [Non-lieux.] .London ; New York: Verso.

Bergalli,Roberto & Rivera, Iñaki, Emergencias Urbanas. Barcelona: Anthropos. Observatori del Sistema Penal i els Drets Humans de la Universitat de Barcelona.

Buchli, Victor (2013) An Anthropology of Architecture. London: Bloomsbury.

Cátedra Tomás, María. (1997). Un santo para una ciudad : Ensayo de antropología urbana (1a ed.). Barcelona: Editorial Ariel.

Cieraad, Irene (1999). At home: An anthropology of domestic space (1st ed.). Syracuse: Syracuse University Press.

Cohen, Abner (Ed)(1974). Urban ethnicity. London, New York: Tavistock Publications Distributed in the USA by Harper & Row Publishers, Barnes & Noble Import Division.

Coleman, Simon, & Collins, Peter (2006). Locating the field: Space, place and context in anthropology. Oxford; New York: Berg.

Cordeiro, Graça Indias, Baptista, Luis Vicente, Costa, da Costa, Antonio Firmino (2019). Etnografias urbanas Oeiras, Portugal: Celta Editora.

Cucó Giner, Josepa (2004). Antropología urbana (1a ed.). Barcelona: Ariel.

Delgado Ruiz, Manuel (1999). Ciudad líquida, ciudad interrumpida : La urbs contra la polis (1.th ed.). Medellín, Colombia: Facultad de Ciencias Humanas y Económicas de la Universidad de Antioquia:Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Medellín. Delgado Ruiz, M. (1999). El animal público : Hacia una antropología de los espacios urbanos. Barcelona: Editorial Anagrama.

Delgado Ruiz, Manuel (2007).Sociedades movedizas. Pasos hacia una antropología de las calles. Barcelona: Editorial Anagrama.

Fernández de Rota y Monter, José Antonio. (1992). Espacio y vida en la ciudad gallega : Un enfoque antropológico. La Coruña: Universidade da Coruña, Sercivio de Publicacións.

Fernández Martorell, Mercedes (1997). Antropología de la convivencia : Manifiesto de antropología urbana. Madrid: Cátedra.

Gaggiotti, Hugo (2006). Un lugar en su sitio: Narrativas y organización cultural urbana en el espacio latinoamericano. Sevilla: Comunicación Social : Doble J.

Giglia, Angela (2012) El Habitar y la cultura. Perspectivas teóricas y de investigación. Barcelona; Anthropos. Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana de México. Unidad Iztapalapa.

Giglia, Angela & Signorelli, Amalia (Eds) (2012) Nuevas topografías de la cultura.México: Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana. Juan Pablos Editor.

Gmelch, George., & Zenner, Walter P. (2002). Urban life: Readings in the anthropology of the city (4th ed.). Prospect Heights, Ill.: Waveland Press.

Gravano, Ariel (2003). Antropología de lo barrial : Estudios sobre producción simbólica de la vida urbana (1a. ed.). Buenos Aires: Espacio.

Gray, J. N. (2006). Domestic mandala: Architecture of lifeworlds in Nepal. Aldershot, England ; Burlington, VT: Ashgate.

Hatzfeld, Marc (2007) La cultura de los suburbios. Barcelona: Laertes.

Hannerz, Ulf (1980). Exploring the city: Inquiries toward an urban anthropology. New York: Columbia University Press.

Hirsch, Eric, & O'Hanlon, Michael. (1995). The anthropology of landscape: 5 Hirsch, E.,& O'Hanlon, M. (1995). The anthropology of landscape: Perspectives on place and space. Oxford; New York: Clarendon Press; Oxford University Press.

Lovejoy, Paul E., & Williams, Pat Ama Tokunbo (1997). Displacement and the politics of violence in Nigeria. Leiden; New York: Brill.

Low, Setha (1999). Theorizing the city: The new urban anthropology reader. New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press.

Low, Setha (2017) Spatializing culture. The Ethnography of Space and Place. New York: Routledge.

Low, Setha, & Chambers, Erve (1989). Housing, culture, and design : A comparative perspective. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

Low, Setha, & Lawrence-Zúñiga, Denise (2003). The anthropology of space and place : Locating culture. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub.

Lucas, Ray (2020) Anthropology for Architects. Social Relations and the Built Environment. London: Bloomsbury Visual Arts.

Pellow, Devora (1996). Setting boundaries: The anthropology of spatial and social organization. Westport, Conn.: Bergin & Garvey.

Perrault, Ray (2022) Urban Regeneration. Methods, Implementation and Management. New York: Nova Science Publishers.

Rapoport, Amos. (1990). History and precedent in environmental design. New York: Plenum Press. Rapoport, A. (1990). The meaning of the built environment: A nonverbal communication approach. Tucson: University of Arizona Press.

Rapoport, Amos (1982). The meaning of the built environment: A nonverbal communication approach. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications.

Rapoport, Amos (1977). Human aspects of urban form: Towards a man-environment approach to urban form and design (1st ed.). Oxford; New York: Pergamon Press. Rapoport, A. (1976). The mutual interaction of people and their built environment: A cross-cultural perspective. The Hague; Chicago: Mouton; distributed in the USA and Canada by Aldine.

Rapoport, Amos (1969). House form and culture. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall. Rotenberg, R. L., & McDonogh, G. W. (1993). The cultural meaning of urban space. Westport, Conn.: Bergin & Garvey.

Signorelli, Amalia (1999) Antropología urbana. Anthropos. Barcelona: Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana.

Stender, Marie et alii (2022) Architectural Anthropoogy. London: Routtledge.

Tapada-Berteli, Teresa (2002) \"Antropología, vivienda y realojamiento urbano: la necesidad de diseños arquitectónicos más flexibes y adaptados\". Gitanos: pensamiento y cultura, 16, pp 46-51

Teresa-Berteli, Teresa & Arbaci, Sonia (2011) \"Proyectos de regeneración urbana en Barcelona contra la segregación socioespacial (1986-2009): ¿solución o mito?\". ACE: Architecture, City and Environment, Octubre 2011, vol. VI, núm. 17. 187-222.

Tapada-Berteli, Teresa (coord.) et alii (2013) \"Ann'n panse Ansanm Pou Mayard\" Diagnostic socio-urbain du quartier de Mayard, Jacmel (Haïti). Barcelona: ACUP, Nexe Impressions.

Tapada-Berteli, Teresa (2021) \"Comentario: Los espacios extremos como categoría analítica\". Scripta Nova. revista Electrónica de Geografía y Ciencias Sociales. Universitat de Barcelona. Vol 25. Núm. 2 pp 179-188

Tapada-Berteli, Teresa (2022) \"Urban regeneration and Citizen's City Making, lessons learned from a South-European Perspective\" In: Ray Perrault (Ed) Urban Regeneration. Methods, Implementation and Management. New York: Nova Sicence Publishers.

Wacquant, Loïc (2007) Pàriesurbans. Guetos, banlieues, Estat. Barcelona: Edicionsde 1984

 

Software

There is no specific sofware for this course

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 1 Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Spanish first semester morning-mixed