Slide 1
Urban Design Principles
Introduction : understanding urban design
What is urban design and what does it do?How to read the city in
order to understand urban design issues and tasks?What is urban
design in relation to urban planning?How to approach urban
design?How are urban design decisions implemented?
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Spectrum of urban design activitiesRegional scale, a whole city
or a town
City wide, an urban district, or a large, self-contained
community
Neighbourhoods, building complexes
Impact area of a developments project
Immediate area of individual buildings
Agent, municipal governmentScale, aspects of design, a whole
city or a town, macro scope land use planning, regional
infrastructure systemsIssues of design, land uses and
infrastructure systemsNature of design, macro scope land use
planning
Agent, local authorityScale, aspects of design, city wide
developments, an urban district, or a large, self-contained
community, infrastructure systems, network of open space, and so
onIssues of design, structure plan of land uses without 3D urban
design inputNature of design, land use planning / 2D urban design
study
Agent, institutions, commercial organisationsScale, aspects of
design, neighbourhoods, building complexes, including layout of
buildings annd related physical componentsIssues of design, 2D and
3D design of all major physical components of a developmentNature
of design, 3D form for a whole development
Agent, local authority and/or institutions, commercial
organisationsScale, aspects of design, impact area of developments
and projects, public open spaces like streets, squares, parksIssues
of design, detailed design of street spaces, plazas, and green
areasNature of design, landscaping, building (facade) design,
ornamental details
Agent, individual property owners, local interest groupsScale,
aspects of design, immediate area of individual buildings,
including private and public open spaces, external appareanceIssues
of design, landscaping of open spaces, buidling ornamental
detailsNature of design, landscaping, building (facade) design
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Urban Design involves . the design of buildings, groups of
buildings, spaces and landscapes and brings together issues of
planning, transport, architectural design, landscape and
engineering to create a vision for an area and then ensure it is
delivered.
11/17/2015It is also the complex inter-relationship between
different buildings and the relationship between buildings and
streets, squares, parks and other spaces that make up the public
realm. It is also concerned with the nature and quality of the
public realm itself.
11/17/2015a sense of civic pride greater social inclusion and
interaction, improved safety and access to goods and services for
the community, enhanced heritage and ecological value, increased
energy efficiency and reduced waste and pollution. Good urban
design brings people together and will encourage a vibrant mix of
self-supporting uses and activities within the City Centre. It will
help create a place which is greater than the sum of the individual
parts and allow an urban life and culture to evolve out of a
collection of buildings and spacesSocial and Environmental
Benefits
11/17/2015Urban, city, and town planning It integrates land use
planning and transportation planning to improve the built, economic
and social environments of communities.Urban designIt concerns the
arrangement, appearance and functionality of towns and cities, and
in particular the shaping and uses of urban public space.Urban
design and urban planning
11/17/2015It has traditionally been regarded as a disciplinary
subset of urban planning, landscape architecture, or architecture
and in more recent times has been linked to emergent disciplines
such as landscape urbanism. However, with its increasing prominence
in the activities of these disciplines, it is better conceptualised
as a design practice that operates at the intersection of all
three, and requires a good understanding of a range of others.
11/17/2015Urban design theory deals primarily with the design
and management of public space (i.e. the 'public environment',
'public realm' or 'public domain'), and the way public places are
experienced and used.Public space includes the totality of spaces
used freely on a day-to-day basis by the general public, such as
streets, plazas, parks and public infrastructure. Some aspects of
privately owned spaces, such as building facades or domestic
gardens, also contribute to public space and are therefore also
considered by urban design theory
11/17/2015While the two fields are closely related, 'urban
design' differs from 'urban planning' in its focus on physical
improvement of the public environment, whereas the latter tends, in
practice, to focus on the management of private development through
established planning methods and programs, and other statutory
development controls.
11/17/2015Urban design may encompass the preparation of design
guidelines and regulatory frameworks, or even legislation to
control development, advertising, etc. and in this sense overlaps
with urban planning. It may encompass the design of particular
spaces and structures and in this sense overlaps with architecture,
landscape architecture, highway engineering and industrial design.
It may also deal with place management to guide and assist the use
and maintenance of urban areas and public spaces.
11/17/2015Much urban design work is undertaken by urban
planners, landscape architects and architects but there are
professionals who identify themselves specifically as urban
designers.An urban village is an urban planning and urban design
concept. It refers to an urban form typically characterized by:
Medium density developmentMixed use zoningThe provision of good
public transitAn emphasis on urban design - particularly
pedestrianization and public space
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Urban structure How a place is put together and how its parts
relate to each otherUrban typology, density and sustainability -
spatial types and morphologies related to intensity of use,
consumption of resources and production and maintenance of viable
communitiesAccessibility Providing for ease, safety and choice when
moving to and through placesLegibility and wayfinding Helping
people to find their way around and understand how a place
worksAnimation Designing places to stimulate public
activityFunction and fit Shaping places to support their varied
intended uses
11/17/2015Complementary mixed uses Locating activities to allow
constructive interaction between themCharacter and meaning
Recognizing and valuing the differences between one place and
anotherOrder and incident Balancing consistency and variety in the
urban environment in the interests of appreciating bothContinuity
and change Locating people in time and place, including respect for
heritage and support for contemporary cultureCivil society Making
places where people are free to encounter each other as civic
equals, an important component in building social capital
11/17/2015Principles of Urban Design Following are eight
principles of good urban design:
Character Continuity and EnclosureA Quality Public Realm Ease of
MovementLegibilityAdaptabilityDiversitySustainability
11/17/2015 Character
Protect and enhance the buildings, street, materials, landmarks
and views that are unique and give the campus/city its
identity.
11/17/2015The appearance of the built environment defines an
areas identity and character and creates a sense of place. Many
areas of the campus have a well-established character that needs to
be protected and enhanced. No site is a blank slate. It will have
shape and there will be adjacent development and a history which
make it a distinctive place. This context should be established for
each site and responded to in order to build something that is
recognizable and special to the particular development.
11/17/2015High quality contemporary design that has evolved from
its context is encouraged. Places that are distinctive are
memorable and popular. A common element within an area will
distinguish it from adjoining areas and create a sense of place.
The use of exposed bricks and blending of British Mughal
Architecture is one such example in campus.
11/17/20153.2.2.Continuity and EnclosureCreate streets and
public spaces that are well connected and enclosed by attractive
building frontages. Every building is just one part of the fabric
of the campus/City which is held together by the network of streets
and spaces. Well enclosed and connected spaces allow using and
enjoying the campus conveniently and in comfort
11/17/2015The street forms the interface between the public and
private realm. Developing and protecting the urban fabric or
structure with strong spatial continuity and a good sense of
enclosure will benefit the campus over time. It will help remove
gap sites and inappropriate developments and severance caused by
overly wide roads.
11/17/20153.2.3. A Quality Public Realm Create high quality
public spaces that are attractive, safe, comfortable, well
maintained, welcoming and accessible to everyone.The term public
realm means any part of the campus that can be experienced by
everyone, from buildings to bollards. Everything in the Public
realm has an effect on the campus/City image and character.
11/17/2015A key principle is that people attract people. Places
which feel good will encourage people to use them and places which
are well used stand a better chance of being well cared for. The
aim is to produce friendly, vibrant public places where people feel
welcome to visit, socialize and go about their business and leisure
in comfort and safety.Buildings define spaces and good architecture
is obviously important. However, concentrating on the quality of
those buildings alone ignores the fact that it is the public realm
above all that most people will experience up close.
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3.2.4. Ease of MovementMake the campus easy and safe to get to
and move around in, particularly for pedestrians and
cyclists.Movement of all kinds is the lifeblood of any campus. The
movement network must operate in a way which brings the campus to
life, yet high levels of traffic can impact negatively on quality
of life and perception of place.Transport planning should
acknowledge that streets have vital social, economic and amenity
roles in addition to that of being channels for vehicles. A well
designed urban structure will have a network of streets and spaces
that can accommodate these roles as well as the traffic.
11/17/20153.2.5. LegibilityCreate a place that both residents
and visitors can understand and easily navigate.Good urban design
can help to create a campus that is easy to understand and find
ones way about. Streets, buildings, vistas, visual details and
activities should be used to give a strong sense of place and to
provide an understanding of destinations and routes. A legible
urban environment is the sum of many of the urban design
principles.
11/17/2015RoutesThe routes people take are a key element in the
way the campus is perceived. Careful consideration must be given to
the sequence of experiences the campus offers to residents and
visitors when moving through. A clear hierarchy of streets should
be established to enable people to orientate themselves in the
campus. For example, primary routes should generally be wider with
the prominent buildings which enables people to read the
campus/City without the need for signage and maps. Gateway features
on key routes can create a memorable sense of arrival to the campus
and to places within it.
11/17/2015LandmarksGateway and other landmark elements in the
urban environment should not only be thought of as physical
objects, although these often the most common. They are any kind of
reference point that people single out as being memorable that
helps orientate themselves. landmarks include public art or a
unique lighting scheme, traffic signals, a strong element of urban
character such as a distinctive building or a striking vista. Some
landmarks are distant ones, often visible from many angles and
places.
11/17/2015New development should reinforce the legibility of its
local area and the campus by including local features that relate
to local circumstances. Some of these will include fine grained
details that provide interest to pedestrians, others more striking
elements to provide interest to those passing in vehicles. These
should always remain appropriate to their context.
11/17/2015Focal PointsPublic spaces are key to the legibility of
any place. The best are active areas where people gather and meet
and such focal points should be emphasized, given clear definition
and purpose. The vitality of street life and the relationship of
buildings to the proportion and nature of the street is fundamental
to the creation of a sense of place which welcomes residents and
visitors. Junctions are nodal points where people decide their
route and come to meet. Street junctions should be designed as
active spaces and places, not characterless traffic
interchanges.
11/17/2015ViewsProtect key views and create new Vistas and
landmarks to help people locate themselves in the campus and create
links within and beyond the immediate area. New development should
protect important existing views, whilst taking opportunities to
create new memorable ones.
11/17/2015SignageCharacter areas are the larger areas of the
campus recognizable as having a particular identity which assist
people as they pass through and by them. The provision of good
signage and guidance at key points is important in aiding
orientation. Direction signs will always have a role in helping
those unfamiliar with the campus find their way about, although
good urban design should help reduce the need for signage in the
first place.
11/17/20153.2.6. Adaptability
Create a campus that can adapt to change so that buildings may
come and go, but the streets last a lifetime.Successful campuss
accept change and continually adapt to remain vibrant over time.
Thoughtful and good urban design is required to achieve this
flexibility. New developments and public realm improvements should
be designed both to respect the existing context and to accommodate
future change.
11/17/20153.2.7. Diversity
Create a campus with variety and choice. Encourage a mix of uses
(institutional, residential, leisure, ) and architectural styles to
create vibrant campus.Housing, leisure, places to work and meet
should interrelate to form an identifiable and walk able campus
that meets the needs of residents. The campuss which benefit from a
mixture of good amenities have the means to support their own
requirements and reinforce a sense of community.
11/17/20153.2.7. Diversity
Create a campus with variety and choice. Encourage a mix of uses
(institutional, residential, leisure, ) and architectural styles to
create vibrant campus.Housing, leisure, places to work and meet
should interrelate to form an identifiable and walk able campus
that meets the needs of residents. The campuss which benefit from a
mixture of good amenities have the means to support their own
requirements and reinforce a sense of community.
11/17/20153.2.8. SustainabilityCreate a social, economic and
environmentally sustainable campus for the future. Sustainable
development is concerned with the overlapping working of the
economy, environment and society. The vision for the campus
encourages a sustainable and innovative approach to development
that makes use of current best practice to make it more energy and
resource efficient whilst encouraging economic development and
social equity.
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3.3 Public RealmThe Public Realm is the streets, squares, parks,
green spaces, and other outdoor places that we pass through in our
everyday lives. High quality, inspirational public places are not
just a desirable element of regeneration, they are essential to
creating successful, vibrant, live able city/ campus. (20)
11/17/2015Creating quality public realm in AMU will improve the
image of the campus and enhance quality of life. It is also
becoming increasingly acknowledged that investing in quality public
space brings measurable economic benefits; The aim of this Public
Realm Strategy is to inform and guide public realm improvements
within the campus over the next 10 years. It aims to set out an
inspirational framework and a set of public realm standards that
will:
Improve the AMU image to create a memorable and distinctive
campus;
11/17/2015Create a vibrant, dynamic and inclusive public realm
that encourages greater use of the campus and its assets; Enhance
the AMUs unique character areas and built heritage through a
coherent design approach; Create a legible, accessible and easy to
navigate the campus; Establish a restrained, classic palette of
materials and street furniture that is robust, sustainable, low
maintenance and realistically affordable; Enhance the sense of
place and community through public
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Material selection criteria for Public Realm Elements
The material selection for all public realm elements should be
influenced by four criteria which will need to be evaluated with
equal weighting when specified:
Sustainability Cost Aesthetics FunctionFig. 4: material
selection criteria
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Sustainability
As part of a holistic and sustainable approach to site design,
all materials used within campus public realm should be subjected
to a sustainability review. This will enable to lower the
environmental impact of projects, improve upon existing benchmarks
at the same time as monitoring build cost. The sustainability
credentials used in selecting materials should be broken into five
performance indicators which take into account the total life span
of a product. Embodied energy (including raw material processing,
manufacturing and transportation to site); Energy consumption
during a products lifetime and choice of responsible materials;
Choice of environmentally responsible materials; Sourcing locally;
Durability/Reusability/Recycle-ability.
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Cost
It is not realistic to suggest that all areas of campus public
realm should be of the same quality. Investment in the public realm
should be focused on areas of the campus which are the most
significant, attract the highest public usage and are most visually
prominent. This investment hierarchy proposes the highest quality
of materials in the primary streets of the city/ campus.Investment
should be focused in these areas and gradually reduced as you move
away from the Core.
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AestheticsThe aesthetics of the materials, furniture and
lighting elements of the public realm are to be selected
thoughtfully. The components and materials that have been selected
aim to create a revitalized, contemporary City/campus whilst
respecting and enhancing the existing historic character and
identity. The aesthetics and character of materials for individual
streets and spaces will be informed by proposed Levels of
Intervention. The materials palette aims to: Enrich existing
assets, building upon strong character in areas of Conservation;
Redefine and revitalize the identity of outdated and tired areas in
zones of Repair and Recovery; Create new identities for areas of
Reinvention and Reconfiguration. By implementing this graded
approach through a co-ordinated materials family, the materials
palette aims to create a coherent unified image for the campus,
revitalized and refreshed for the 21st century.
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Function
The function of materials, furniture and lighting is
inextricably linked to the sustainability of the city/campus public
realm. The Street Hierarchy will ultimately inform the type, size
and implementation of materials. In general materials should be:
Simple, robust and fit for purpose; Maintainable; Carefully
detailed and implemented; Multi-functional, and thoughtfully
designed
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Fig.6: Master plan of IIT Roorkee Campus
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The main building shows the architecture of highest heritage and
amenity value with a quality public realm.Analysis
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Contemporary architectural style material and colour create a
sense of coherency.
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The tower structure of electronics department acting as
landmark.
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Good quality public realm of central library create a new
identity for the area.
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Good landscaping integrate the building and their external
spaces into an imageable whole.
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Well treated junctions aid legibility and make easy to navigate
into the campus.
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Pedestrian and vehicular segregation of the street avoids
conflicts.
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Planting of different types ,using many species for their
seasonal colour or texture complement the orchestration of built
form.
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Streets shows definition, active frontages and permeability.
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U G Club encourages leisure use and temporary events.
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Students centered activity area enhances natural surveillance to
the campus.
