CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Definition of Urban Design: lack of a universal/ cross-cultural definition;…. each age

and culture has produced its own definition based on its own expectations and possibilities (Robert Beckley, 1979)

1. that part of town planning or architecture that determines the order and form of the city with special emphasis on aesthetics (Frederick Gutheim, 1963).

2. organization of space, time, and communication/meaning (Amos Rapoport, 1977).

Organization of space: for different purposes and according to different rules that reflect the needs, values, and desires of the groups or individuals

Organization of Time: …….tempos and rhythms of human activity …… past versus future ……or linear versus cyclic;

organization of communication: ……a way of controlling interaction – its nature, direction, rate, e.t.c….who communicates with who, when, where, and how…..how the built environment and social organization are linked and related…..social logic of space.

organization of meaning: …..communicative and symbolic properties of space …… through signs, materials, colours, forms, landscaping e.t.c

3. the complex inter-relationship between all the elements of the built and unbuilt space in towns and cities (Creed & Roberts, 1998)

Thus, urban design is BOTH a means and an end-state! ……

4. the art of making places for people…about public realm (SA Urban Design Charter)……..what differentiates place from space?

5. combination of tailored processes and creative responses aimed at enhancing the general appeal and functioning of urban areas (ibid)

Urban design creates a framework for our lives,…We feel and experience urban design every day….Design brings order and relation into human surroundings……it is the production of cities by people for people

Interdisciplinary nature of urban design

Urban Design integrates the processes and expertise of many related disciplines including art, architecture, landscaping, the social sciences, economics, planning, engineering, and transport.

Notwithstanding, successful designs are actually determined by the public at-large rather than academia!.

Below: Urban design works originating from engineering, architectural studies, and landscape science

Urban Planning - Urban Design - Architecture Axis

The relationship is historical:

In the 1960s, planning and architecture were split (Gosling & maitland, 1984:7)

Planning concentrated on land use patterns and socio-economic issues (macro)

Architecture concentrated on the design of buildings (micro)

There emerged a responsibility gap where design of public space was concerned

Urban design came in to bridge this gap

Is There Need for Urban Design? …….Arguments for and against Urban design

Arguments Against: - Today the city is more shaped by economic /

entrepreneurial forces than planning and design forces. (communications & transport technology and markets)

- Cities have in the past developed incrementally and without master designs, with very good results; when such designs were developed in the 1960s things went dramatically wrong!

- The city form is never finite, but always changing. Design tends to freeze form and structure hence prevent the city from adapting to changing socio-economic changes.

Arguments For:

- There is a significant interrelationship between form and function of a city; thus,

- It is immoral for urban development to be left to chance …it must be controlled through planning and design frameworks to ensure the city works well, is people-friendly, and has positive environmental impact

- The enterprise culture, with its laissez-faire attitude of the 1980s and 1990s led to more amorphous growth and remodeling of many cities, hence the erosion of quality of urban space

Arguments For (cont’d):

- Many of the problems of cities are actually the result of their inadequacy: structure and form, their distribution of population, their land use patterns and transport systems all of which are interdependent.

- Economic forces must operate for rather than against the city…their manifestation in the physical, spatial, structural, and land use terms must be guided into forms that enhance the city’s quality and identity as a place for people.

Why is Urban Design Needed?

Design can help enhance a city’s advantages: physical needs of citizens; safety, security and protection; an environment free of pollution, noise, accidents, and crime; a conducive social environment ..a sense of community; an appropriate image and prestige; creativity and self-expression in neighbourhoods; aesthetically pleasantness as a place of culture and a work of art.

Design can help diminish a city’s disadvantages: containment of size & population; the obligation to travel; social stratification

Rationale for Urban DesignAny part of the city has a form and the assemblage of such parts generates a unique urban form and structure

Any part of a city is designable, and so is the assemblage of these parts to form streets, squares, urban fabric, munuments, skylines e.t.c

Even the incremental town forms evolve on the basis of commonly understood and accepted patterns…urban design offers a framework.

Today, many non-local forces are shaping the city; thus rules and patterns need to be introduced in the form of development and design frameworks founded on a city’s particular history, culture, location, e.t.c so as to safeguard its identity.

Criteria for Urban Design: What may dictate an urban design undertaking?

Appeal (…how places look….)

Function …(how places work…);

Quality of urban areas; (ambience)

Community well-being: Vitality; safety;

Criteria (cont’d)

Environmental stressBehavioural supportIdentityDiversityLegibilityMeaning/communicationDevelopmentPerceptual engagementsRegenerationConstraints

Role of urban design

1. Description: character of place

2. Imagination/Clarification…legibility of function/form

The use of imagery/iconic design (Sondica airport); different materials and fabrics for different circulation areas, use of pedestrian/street furniture, and signage.

3. Negotiation: among conflicting interests; space contestation

4. Visualization: scenarios-building; simulation; foresight

5. Correction/ reconstruction: defects/malfunctions; destruction (hazards: fires, earthquakes, flooding, tsunamis, hurricanes, erosion,/landslides, glaciers e.t.c

6. Mitigation: e.g disaster preparedness, crime prevention

7. Prescription: Show the way out of situations- sprawl, land use conflict, pollution e.t.c

8. Prowess: celebration of civic excellence (high-cost projects)

Objectives of Urban Design

There is often considerable overlap between objectives and they are mutually re-enforcing; they include:

Aesthetics: Strong Visual Impact

Development: New Investment. Employment opportunities

Functional Efficiency

Improved Environmental conditions

Safety (ref. Safer Cities Program; CEPTED)

Guardianship and Space standards

Technical Solutions to unique problems

Cultural Identity and symbolism

Community Integration

Character: A place with its own identity

Continuity and Enclosure:A place where public and private spaces are clearly distinguished

Quality of the Public Realm:A place with attractive and successful outdoor areas

Ease of Movement:A place that is easy to get to and move through AdaptabilityA place that can change easily Legibility

A place that has a clear image and is easy to understandDiversity A place with variety and choice

Levels/Scale of Urban design:Macro: City-wide Meso: Zone/District/Fragment Micro: Object

Elements and Materials of Urban Design

1. Space Frame: Space and its definition; enclosure; built (+ve) versus unbuilt (-ve); skyscape; landform

2. Elements of form: Point, Line, plane

3. Urban Functions: Living; Working; Leisure; Mobility; Administration

4. Urban Fabric: Texture; water, vegetation; furniture; light e.t.c

5. Environmental Factors: precipitation; temperatures; humidity; wind; lighting e.t.c

Meaning and Means of Urban Design

Meaning: creation of a common world…a public realm…the sphere of freedom and equality…pluralism!

a. Public space as a physical and formal construct

b. Public institution as a political-economic construct

Means: of creating public spatial qualities

a. Spatial and formal means: squares, streets, and buildings as places of public domain.

b. Political-economic means: promote a Geography and structure of public/Civic life, thus a free/democratic community, ..with structures, limits, and controls...(paradox!)

ABILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OF URBAN DESIGNERS

Analysis: An audit of the characteristics of a site to give a sense of place

Collaboration: the need for urban designers to work with others, including with local communities

Policy Formulation: required to deal with the breadth of urban design issues and activities

Design Generation: Building, landscape and engineering design, site planning, master planning, framework design, illustrative design, and visioning

Implementation: attention to how plans and proposals could be implemented requires a capacity for initiative, innovation, creativity, negotiation, collaboration, and management.

Typical Urban Design Problems/Issues

Area policy New SettlementsRehabilitation, redevelopment, and conservationLines of movementCommercial centres and central districtsSpecial AreasLarge natural and man-made featuresSpecial Systems

Definitive Principles of Urban Design

Urban design as political statement

Urban design as technique

Urban design as mediation

Urban design as private display

Urban design as public presence

Urban design as theatre

Urban design as guardian of urban standards

Link Between Urban Design and Site Planning

Urban design will enable the systematic identification and definition of sites

Urban design will enable the informed and clear identification and/or selection of wider priorities about the site

Urban design will enable good interpretation and use of existing features and operational forces