2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Environment and Society Department of Architecture and Building Engineering Graduate major in Architecture and Building Engineering
Theories in Architectural Planning I
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Architecture and Building Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Takuya Oki
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Intensive (W5-105)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- ARC.P401
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 9, 2026
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course is conducted by Maiko Sugawara, who will assume the role of professor in April 2026, succeeding Associate Professor Takuya Oki. In addition, it is provided on the assumption that students already possess basic knowledge of architectural planning.
Architectural and urban environments, which serve as the physical foundation for our daily lives, should be developed through planning and design that ensure equal participation in society for all people and guarantee the protection of their human rights. However, unconscious discrimination and prejudice continues to impede equitable access to facilities for certain individuals. By earnestly addressing this social issue, architectural planners and designers can contribute to its resolution.
Nowadays, various terms such as barrier-free design, universal design, and inclusive design are often discussed as methods to realize equitable use. What is fundamentally required of planners and designers is how to perceive, understand, and reflect in architectural design the unique spatial needs that arise from the diverse physical and mental characteristics of individuals.
In this course, students will explore the social background and planning methods from which these design philosophies and concepts emerged, as well as analyze case studies. The objective is to develop the ability to understand, discuss, and propose approaches to architectural planning and design methods that are more inclusive of diverse people. Students will be expected to participate in group discussions, analyze case studies from both Japan and abroad, and give presentations as part of the lectures. Ultimately, students will acquire the ability to comprehend the current state and challenges of architectural planning from an international perspective and to apply this understanding in architectural design.
Course description and aims
Students will learn the following skills from taking this course.
1) Be able to outline users’ diverse physical and mental characteristics and their associated unique spatial needs.
2) Be able to explain the main points of international treaties and domestic legal systems related to accessibility in architecture.
3) Be able to develop architectural planning and design that considers users’ diverse physical and mental characteristics.
4) Be able to express their own views on future developments and challenges in architectural planning with an international perspective.
Keywords
Planning, Design, Creativity, Accessibility, Equality, Inclusivity
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
It will be implemented through a combination of lectures, group discussions, practical exercises, and proposals.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Design Philosophy and Development Concerning the Accessibility of Buildings |
Understanding of universal design and its development in design |
| Class 2 | Design Philosophy and Development Concerning the Equality of Building |
Understanding of the relationship between normalization and architectural planning, and its development in design |
| Class 3 | Design Philosophy and Development Concerning the Removal of Social Barriers in Buildings |
Understanding of the merits and demerits of barrier-free design and its development in design |
| Class 4 | Explanation of the Diverse Physical/Mental Characteristics and Individual Spatial Needs |
Understanding of the relationship between mental/physical characteristics and the physical environment, and its development in design |
| Class 5 | Overview of International Trends Related to Equality and Human Rights Protection in Facility Use |
Consideration and proposals regarding the ideal architectural planning from an international perspective |
| Class 6 | Explanation of Design Examples Reflecting Diverse User Needs |
Development and application of architectural planning that ensures equitable use of facilities |
| Class 7 | Case Studies of Domestic and International Designs for Each Facility Type |
Development of architectural planning and design according to facility functions |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
No specific textbook will be assigned, as this course emphasizes the consideration and discussion of multiple sources.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Universal Design: A Question for Barrier-Free Environments/ Yoshihiko Kawauchi / Gakugei Shuppansha
Barrier-Free Without Dignity/ Yoshihiko Kawauchi / Gendai Shokan
Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist/ Judith Heumann, Kristen Joiner, translated by Natsuki Soda
An Independent Man: Ed Roberts and the Fight for Disability Rights/Scot Edward Danforth / University of California Press
Creating Welfare Towns: The Philosophy and Development/ Gihei Takahashi / Shokokusha
Participatory Universal Design / Gihei Takahashi / Shokokusha
Exploring Inclusive Educational Environments Around the World / Maiko Sugawara / Akashi Shoten
Evaluation methods and criteria
Group work: 30%
Short reports submitted in each class: 40%
Report measuring overall understanding of this course: 30%
Related courses
- ARC.A201 ： Architectural Design and Drawing I
- ARC.A202 ： Architectural Design and Drawing II
- ARC.A301 ： Architectural Design and Drawing III
- ARC.A304 ： Architectural Design and Drawing IV
- ARC.P201 ： Introduction to Architectural Planning
- ARC.P203 ： Exercise in Architectural Planning
- ARC.P402 ： Advanced Exercise in Architectural Planning
- ARC.P202 ： Architectural Planning I
- ARC.P301 ： Architectural Planning II
- ESD.C401 ： Design Theories
Prerequisites
Having basic knowledge of architectural planning
Other
Scheduled to be implemented over seven weeks (Tuesdays, 5-8) in Q1. The first class is scheduled for April 7th.