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On: 3 May 2008

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Publisher: Routledge

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Journal of Urbanism: InternationalResearch on Placemaking and UrbanSustainabilityPublication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information:

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URBAN MORPHOLOGYOnline Publication Date: 01 March 2008

To cite this Article: (2008) 'URBAN MORPHOLOGY', Journal of Urbanism:

International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability, 1:1, 91 — 96

To link to this article: DOI: 10.1080/17549170801905707

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17549170801905707

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URBAN MORPHOLOGY

Introduction

The study of urban precedent has been a fundamental basis for urban design inquiry andthe identification of timeless principles and practices of urban place making for

generations, from ancient times to today. The approach is shared by classicists,

modernists, and new urbanists alike. The study and documentation of urbanism through

direct observation, measurement, and drawing represent primary methods of urban

analysis with a long history in architecture, planning, and urban design, revealing the

physical characteristics of towns and cities.

The drawings on the following pages, submitted by Professors Jaime Correa and Steve

Fett, represent the ‘‘School of Miami’’ method of urban analysis emphasizing hand-

drawings. In future issues these pages will present a variety of urban morphology

snapshots studying both precedents and contemporary urban places and using a variety of 

methods.

Journal of Urbanism

Vol. 1, No. 1, March 2008, 91–96

ISSN 1754-9175 print/ISSN 1754-9183 online

# 2008 Taylor & Francis

DOI: 10.1080/17549170801905707http://www.informaworld.com

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Drawings produced by graduate students in the University of Miami School of Architecture’s

Suburb and Town Design Program, Fall 2007, under the direction of Professors Jaime Correa and

Steve Fett. Key: A) Plan of St. Augustine, 1899. B) St. Augustine location map. C) Section of 

Spanish Street, 1/16’’ = 1’-0’’. D) Typical residential block, 1:70. E) View of typical residential

street. F) Elevation of Charlotte Street, 3/32’’ = 1’-0’’. G) View of typical commercial street. H)

Typical commercial block, 1:70. I) Section of St. George Street, 1/16’’ = 1’-0’’.

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Drawings produced by graduate students in the University of Miami School of Architecture’s

Suburb and Town Design Program, Fall 2007, under the direction of Professors Jaime Correa and

Steve Fett.

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Table 1. Morphological comparison.

St Augustine Salem

Date 1899 1890

Documentation area (in acres) 214 163

Lot sizeAverage width 609   249Average length 1709   609

Block perimeterMinimum 7669   6529Average 17839   16799

Maximum 38139   24179

Number of lots per blockMinimum 2 5Maximum 24 57

Number of buildings per blockMinimum 1 8Maximum 35 89

Number of blocks 43 48

Alleys and/or lanesYes XNo X

R.O.W. width(measured from the front lot line)Minimum 16 11Maximum 76 62

R.O.W. proportions(the most common ‘‘mode’’ conditions)

Width 1 (259) 3 (709)Height 1 (259) 1 (259)

Number of R.O.W.’s(excludes interior block alleys and pathways)

Continuous 9 2Discontinuous 8 30

Number of civic buildings 113 30Publicly owned and managed buildings andreligious buildings

Number of civic open spaces 10 4

Acreage of civic open spacesMinimum 0.32 0.62Maximum 2.66 9.90

Percentage of land occupationGross (with R.O.W.’s and civic spaces) 18% 32%Net (without R.O.W.’s and civic spaces) 19% 41%

Urban form (urban geometry)RegularIrregular X X

Source: Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, University of Miami Richter Library. Note: The Library of 

Congress has ‘‘over 700,000 fire insurance map sheets produced by the Sanborn Map Company for

more than twelve thousand American cities and towns from the 1870s until the 1950s. These maps were

prepared primarily to assist insurance underwriters in determining the risk involved in insuring

individual properties.’’ The maps represent an invaluable resource for urban researchers illustrating the

detailed characteristics of buildings, streets, blocks, utilities, and other physical details of the built

environment. Sanborn Maps are available in public libraries throughout the United States, Canada,

and Mexico and in digital formats through ProQuest.

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