URBAN DESIGN IV

Urban design lecture 2

Lecture 2: Introduction to Urban Design

Lawrence Ogunsanya

lawrencesanya@yahoo.com
ogunsanya@ukzn.ac.za
 INTRODUCTION: Definition
Definition of Urban Design:
Urban design lecture 2

• that part of town planning or architecture that determines the

order and form of the city with special emphasis on aesthetics
(Frederick Gutheim, 1963).
• the complex inter-relationship between all the elements of
the built and unbuilt space in towns and cities (Creed &
Roberts, 1998)
• the art of making places for people…about public realm
(SA Urban Design Charter) ……..what differentiates place from
space?
• The complex relationships between all the elements of built
and unbuilt space
 INTRODUCTION: Definition
Definition of Urban Design:
• Combination of tailored processes and creative responses
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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
• The process of giving physical design direction to urban
growth, conservation, and change
• The architecture of public space
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, law 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, Urban design

is generally considered neither a profession nor a
discipline.
 Urban Planning - Urban Design -
Architecture Axis
• What is the difference between an urban designer and
urban/town planner, or between an urban designer
Urban design lecture 2

and an architect?
• An urban planner was some one who was primarily
concerned with the allocation of resources according to
projections of future need.
• Planners tend to regard land use as a distribution of
resources problem, parcelling out land, for zoning
purposes, without much knowledge of its three-
dimensional characteristics, or the nature of the building
that may be placed on it in the future.
• The result is that most zoning ordinances and official land
use plans produce stereotyped and unimaginative
buildings.
Urban Planning - Urban Design -
Architecture Axis
 Urban Planning - Urban Design -
Architecture Axis
• Architect, on the other hand, designs buildings. A good
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architect will do all he can to relate the building he is

designing to its surroundings, but he has no control
over what happens off the property he has been hired
to considered.
• Some one is needed to design the city, not just the
buildings. Therefore, there was a need for someone
who could be called an urban designer."
Urban design: Grouped Definition
The basis for a framework defining urban design can
be grouped under six main headings:
1. Historic preservation and urban conservation
2. Design for pedestrians
3. Vitality and variety of use
4. The cultural environment
5. Environmental context
6. Architectural values
 Why is Urban Design Needed?
• Design can help enhance a city’s advantages:
physical needs of citizens; safety, security and protection; an
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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 Design
• Any 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 stress: (human activity, pollution,
natural disasters)
Urban design lecture 2

• Identity: (heritage, community, movement)

• Diversity: (multiplicity, integration,variety)
• Legibility: (recognition, iconize, landmark)
• Meaning/communication: (signage, information)
• Development: (growth, urbanization, infrastructure)
• Regeneration: (Renewal, upgrades, transformation)
• Constraints: (crime, chaos, sprawl, conflict)
Role of urban design
• 1. Description:
character of place
 2. Imagination/Clarification
…legibility of function/form

The use of imagery/iconic

design, 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
Urban design lecture 2
8. Beautification: aims at the creation of useful, attractive, safe,
environmentally sustainable, economically successful and socially equitable
places.
 9. Prowess: celebration of civic excellence
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 Goals of Urban Design
• Mixed and compatible land uses,
• Pedestrianization and human scale,
• Preserving Human culture and identity
• Adaptability
• Legibility
• Quality Public realms
• Built environment
• Protecting Natural environment
• Aesthetics: Strong Visual Impact
• Development: New Investment. Employment opportunities
• Functional Efficiency
• Improved Environmental conditions
• Safety and security
• Guardianship and Space standards
• Technical Solutions to unique problems
 Elements of Urban Design
• Buildings
• Building facades
• Height and Massing
• Materials and details
• Public space
• Streets
• Transport and movement
• Landscape
• Land-use and density
 Process of Urban Design

Analysis
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Synthesis

Evaluation

Execution
Questions