URBAN DESIGN

Making A Visual Survey

Survey

 Pathways
 Districts
 Edges
 Landmarks
 Nodes
 Imageability
Landform And Nature

 Topography
 Form and character
 Features (indigenous)
 Natural vegetation
 Architectural forms relating to landscape
 Relation of nature to city
 Relation of city to nature
Climate

 Temperature
 Light
 Precipitation
 Sun
 Winds
 Micro-macro climates
City Shape

 Radio-centric
 Rectilinear
 Star
 Ring
 Linear
 Branch
 Satellite
 Ribbon
 Clusters
Size

 Area
 Without regard to population
Density

 Relates to size and other factors

 # of people/ unit
 # of cars/ unit
 # of cars
 Built-up area vs open area
 Floor area/ unit
Pattern

 Relates to shape on a smaller scale

 Curvilinear
 Rectilinear
 Cul de sac
 Mixtures
Built up space vs open spaces

 Space define by solids

 Shape, pattern, grain, size, texture, density – all basically solids
 Natural open spaces
 Total space
 Islands and linear
 Enclosed and open spaces
 Linear space define movement
 Islands or bases are stopping places
 Natural space brings nature into the city
Routes

 Principal determinants of urban form

 Begin in non-urban countryside
 Imageability
 Should define and help
 Views and vistas
 Transition and change
Routes : hinterland

 How it relates to terrain

 Awkward or artful
 Revealing or disgusting
 Vistas – sudden or gradual
 Visually dull or exciting
 Blighting or beautifying
Approach Routes

 Interface with the city

 First intro to city
 Creates first impression
 Inform and conduct viewer
Major Routes: internal

 Carry high volume

 Help define city
 Creates ties to other routes to other districts
 Effect on cityscape, buildings and districts
 How can they be improved
 Relation to secondary streets
Districts

 # varies with magnitude of city

 Size determined by natural and man-made phenomenon
 May have ethnic identity
 Two factors in differentiating
 Physical form
 Visible activity
 Things to look for in analysis
 Components
 Size
 Appearance
 Activity
 Threats: fear of safety and danger
 Relationships
 Emergent forms
 Strip commercial
Thank You