Universities and planning activities

Abstract

The Council of State Decision of 3 June 2011 reiterated some limitations on planning activities carried out by the University, more restrictive than those already formulated by other courts. The grounds for the Decision, however, indicate some methods that the University can adopt in order to apply its research to real cases, particularly in the field of architecture. The provision of services, including planning, to a PA is acceptable both if provided directly within the framework of public-public cooperation agreements and if conducted through companies, set up by the University, that work for public bodies in accordance with the “in-house” model. With the provision, however, that the collaboration activities are strictly functional to the University’s institutional responsibilities, and therefore that they have a strong scientific research component.