UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

DEPARTMENT OF URBAN STUDIES AND PLANNING

Module No: TRP210
Title: Urban Design and Place-making
Credit Value: 20
Level: 2
Semester: Autumn 2021
Module Coordinators: Dr. Ally Lu
Module Contributor: Dr. Bobby Nisha and Dr. Amparo A Tarazona Vento

Assignment 2: Public Space Analysis and Design Portfolio

Overview of the Assignment

The aim of this assignment is to provide you with an opportunity to apply context-based information
and theoretical concepts in a public space analysis and design. You are required to select an outdoor
public space and critically analyse, assess, and improve its quality from an urban design perspective.

Sheffield-based students please choose a Sheffield site from the list at the end of this document.
Remote and commuting students please choose a site near where you live. If you are not sure about
your site selection, please attend the Tuesday drop-in sessions where we can discuss suitability.

The assessment is worth 75% of the module mark.

Portfolio Format
 Word limit: Maximum 1,800 words, excluding front cover and reference list.
 A3 size, landscape layout, maximum 8 pages, excluding front cover and reference list.
 Add page numbers for each page.
 Submit it online as a PDF file. No paper copy is required.
 The title of your submitted file: TRP210 individual design report – 2xxxx (Your registration
number).

Suggested Portfolio Contents

1. Cover page: Including the title of the assessment, your student registration number, the
date of submission, and a final word count.
2. Public space analysis:
It is expected that your analysis will cover the following aspects:
1) The location and a brief history of the study area.
2) A physical analysis of the study area, please refer to lecture 3 for details. You should use
diagrams such as land use maps, figure-ground maps, legibility maps, permeability maps
to illustrate your analysis.
3) The social use of the case study area. This is not expected to be a full-scale survey as in
the first assignment, an impression based on one observation method over two days (a
weekday and a weekend day) should be enough. Please see lecture 4 for social
observation methods.
4) Identification of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis) of
the area.

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 3. Public space design:
Based on the SWOT, you are expected to produce a small-scale public space design project
that will address the problems and potentials identified in the analysis. Your design should
include the following elements:
1) A set of no more than five design principles to guide how the public realm of your area
might be enhanced or improved in line with the ideas of place making explored in
lectures. These are the design recommendations or strategies that will guide your
project.
2) A design plan at a scale of 1:500 and a section at a scale of between 1:100-1:300. You
can use hand-drawing, computer software, or a combination of the two to illustrate
your design solution.
4. Reference list using Harvard style.

You are required to make extensive use of visual material and the use the words mainly for
explanation and annotation. Make use of base-plans, diagrams and aerial photographs with overlays,
annotated photographs and sketches to communicate your analysis and design project. The analysis
should be accessible and easy to read e.g. no small font sizes or overly small diagrams. It is a good
idea to have a consistent approach to page layouts e.g. background colour, font, position of the title
and division of the page into sections.

Criteria for Assessment

The assignment will be marked on the basis of:
1. Depth and breadth of the public space analysis.
2. Use of urban design theory and the ability to critically reflect on appropriate urban design
concepts.
3. Ability to creatively solve design issues and propose solutions.
4. Ability to present the analysis in an appropriate and accessible format combining visual and
written material.

Support for The Assessment

In order to help you approach this assignment with a clear understanding and better time
management, there will be support sessions as follows:
1. Design tutorials, 9-11am, Tuesdays, Week 10 and 11.
2. Drawing skills drop-in, 9-11am, Tuesdays, Week 10 and 11.
3. Tuesday drop-in sessions, 1-2pm, Week 9 to Week 12.

Important Literature
Bentley, I. et al. (1985) Responsive Environments: A Manual for Designers, London: Architectural
Press (available as ebook)
Carmona, M., Heath T., Oc, T. & Tiesdell, S. (2003) Public Places: Urban Spaces, The Dimensions of
Urban Design, London: Architectural Press (available as ebook)
Gehl, J. (2011), Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space, Washington, DC: Island Press (available as
ebook)
Gehl, J. and Svarre, B. (2013), How to study Public Life, London: Island Press
Lynch, K. (1960) The Image of the City, MIT press
Whyte, W. H. (1980), The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces, Washington: The Conservation
Foundation

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Sheffield public space
Victoria Quay
Castle Square
Paradise Square
Devonshire Green
Orchard Square
The public space in front of Arts Tower