URBAN DESIGN SIGNS AND SYMBOLS

ELEMENTS OF URBAN FORM

Prepared by: Ma. Cecilia Gendrano
 Planning Graphic Conventions
signs and symbols
Land Use Site Features
Planning Graphic Conventions
Drainage
Micro Macro
(local (large-
scale) scale)
Elements of the URBAN MORPHOLOGY
Elements of the URBAN FORM
URBAN STRUCTURE
The overall framework of a region, town or precinct, showing relationships between
zones of built forms, land forms, natural environments, activities and open spaces.
It encompasses broader systems including transport and infrastructure networks.
Elements of the URBAN FORM
URBAN GRAIN
The balance of open space to built form, and the
nature and extent of subdividing an area into smaller
parcels or blocks.

For example a ‘fine urban grain’ might constitute a network of

small or detailed streetscapes. It takes into consideration the
hierarchy of street types, the physical linkages and movement
between locations, and modes of transport.
Elements of the URBAN FORM+SCALE

DENSITY + MIX
The intensity of development and the range of different uses (such as residential,
commercial, institutional or recreational uses).
Elements of the URBAN SCALE

HEIGHT + MASSING
The scale of buildings in relation to height and floor area, and how they relate to
surrounding land forms, buildings and streets.
It also incorporates building envelope, site coverage and solar orientation.
Height and massing create the sense of openness or enclosure, and affect the
amenity of streets, spaces and other buildings.
Elements of the URBAN PUBLIC REALM

STREETSCAPE + LANDSCAPE
The design of public spaces
such as streets, open spaces
and pathways, and includes
landscaping, microclimate,
shading and planting.
Elements of the URBAN PUBLIC REALM

FACADE + INTERFACE
The relationship of buildings
to the site, street and
neighboring buildings
(alignment, setbacks,
boundary treatment) and the
architectural expression
of their facades (projections,
openings, patterns and materials).
Elements of the URBAN PUBLIC REALM

DETAILS + MATERIALS
The close-up appearance of objects and surfaces
and the selection of materials in terms of detail,
craftsmanship, texture, color, durability,
sustainability and treatment.
It includes street furniture, paving, lighting and
signage.
It contributes to human comfort, safety and
enjoyment of the public domain.
Elements of the URBAN PUBLIC REALM

• Some aspects of privately owned space such as the bulk and scale of buildings,
or gardens that are visible from the public realm, can also contribute to the
overall resulting appearance
• includes the natural and built environment used by the general public on a
day-to-day basis such as streets, plazas, parks, and public infrastructure
Elements of the URBAN MORPHOLOGY
CROSS-CUTTING FORMS

TOPOGRAPHY, LANDSCAPE AND

ENVIRONMENT
The natural environment includes the
topography of landforms, water courses, flora
and fauna - whether natural or introduced.

It may be in the form of rivers and creeks, lakes, bushland, parks and creeks, lakes,
bushland, parks and recreational facilities, streetscapes or private gardens, and is often
referred to as ‘green infrastructure’.
Elements of the URBAN MORPHOLOGY
CROSS-CUTTING FORMS

SOCIAL + ECONOMIC FABRIC

The non-physical aspects of the urban form which include social factors (culture,
participation, health and well-being) as well as the productive capacity and
economic prosperity of a community. It incorporates aspects such as demographics
and life stages, social interaction and support networks.
Elements of the URBAN MORPHOLOGY
CROSS-CUTTING FORMS

SCALE
The size, bulk and
perception of a buildings
and spaces.

Bulk refers to the height, width and depth of a building in relation to other surrounding
buildings, the street, setbacks and surrounding open space.
For example, a large building set amongst other smaller buildings may seem ‘out of
scale’.
Elements of the URBAN MORPHOLOGY
CROSS-CUTTING FORMS

Pattern
URBAN FORM
The arrangement of a built up area.
Texture
This arrangement is made up of many
components including how close
buildings and uses are together; what
uses are located where; and how much
of the natural environment is a part of
the built up area.

Grain
Elements of the URBAN MORPHOLOGY
CROSS-CUTTING FORMS

URBAN FORM
URBAN PATTERN. The pattern of the city is
the way how different functions and
elements of the settlement form are
distributed and mixed together spatially.
It can be measured by the size of its
grain..
Elements of the URBAN MORPHOLOGY
CROSS-CUTTING FORMS

Urban texture seen in the type of

FINE GRAIN
urban grain

URBAN GRAIN -The balance of open

space to built form, and the nature and
extent of subdividing an area into smaller
parcels or blocks. For example a
'fine urban grain' might constitute a
COURSE GRAIN
network of small or detailed streetscapes.
course urban grain-uneven sizing and
distribution of space to built form