NARRATIVE REPORT

DDA 313: SEMINAR IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND URBAN AFFAIRS

V. LAND USE & URBAN DESIGN TOPICS

• Urban Planning; Sprawl
• Urban Design
• Public Spaces
INTRODUCTION:

This lesson examines the rising tendency of people preferring to live in cities rather than
rural regions, as well as how urbanization alters the land surface and the implications of
such alteration. The importance of urban planning in mitigating some of the negative impacts
of urbanization will also be discussed, as well as current trends and obstacles in urban
growth.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain the connections between land use and the physical environment;
2. Summarize the problems created by uncontrolled urban developments;
3. Describe how urban planning can contribute to sustainable urban living; and
4. Understand the nature of urban design

LAND USE

Many key life-supporting systems are reliant on land. We use land to produce food via
agricultural operations, to provide wood for construction and fuel from trees, to collect water
from rivers and lakes on the surface of the land or beneath, and to provide rocks and building
materials. You may have also considered the land that is utilized to construct houses, stores,
industries, highways, and other elements of the urban environment.

In that sense, land use can be defined as arrangements, activities and inputs by people to
produce, change or maintain a certain land cover type (Land Cover Classification System -
Classification concepts and user manual, 2021). This definition makes it clear that there is
a link between land use and land cover. Land use refers to how land is classified in terms
of what may be constructed on it and what it can be used for. It's figuring out what kind of
community, ecosystem, or settlement can be built on a certain piece of property. “The total
of arrangements, actions, and inputs that humans conduct in a particular land cover type,”
according to one definition of land use. It's vital to distinguish between land use and zoning.
Land use refers to how individuals modify land to meet their requirements, whereas zoning
refers to how the government controls land.

Zoning refers to the laws and regulations that regulate how real estate can and cannot be
utilized in certain geographic locations. Zoning rules, for example, might restrict the use of
property for commercial or industrial purposes, such as preventing oil, manufacturing, or
other sorts of enterprises from constructing in residential areas. If the development of a
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property would help the community grow economically, these regulations can be amended
or postponed.

There are numerous advantages to understanding land usage, but there are two that directly
influence a land buyer. First, it avoids an expensive and time-consuming misunderstanding
about what may and cannot be constructed where. For example, it prohibits someone from
purchasing a residential property with the intention of converting it to a farm. Knowing the
purpose of property enables the buyer to locate the land that will best suit his or her needs.

Understanding land usage on a wider scale aid in deciphering trends connected with land
and urbanization. Understanding how land has been utilized in the past might provide insight
into how it will be used in the future. It's fair to assume that people will always rely on crops
and cattle for sustenance, emphasizing the necessity of communal land set aside for
agricultural purposes.

Land cover differs from land use, as previously stated. The observable biophysical cover
on the Earth's surface is referred to as land cover. The main vegetation type in non-urban
regions, such as forest, grassland, or agriculture, is typically used to define land cover.
Changing how land is utilized (for example, by establishing towns and cities on it) alters the
land cover and has a number of direct and indirect consequences.

The majority of the negative repercussions of shifting land use due to urbanization may be
divided into two categories: the loss of natural and agricultural land, and the rise in hard
surfaces in built-up regions.

Types of Land Uses

When it comes to land usage, there are several classifications. Recreational, transportation,
agricultural, residential, and commercial are the five most prevalent applications. When it
comes to property investment, knowing the intricacies of each one may be beneficial.

1. Recreational

When the land use of a property is designated as recreational, it indicates that the property
is intended to be utilized for the enjoyment of the people who use it. Parks and open areas,
as well as sporting fields, playgrounds, and swimming pools, are all possibilities. Cities
include recreational property into their plans to ensure that residents have places to visit
and enjoy. These aren't necessary for a community's growth, but they do assist to attract
both permanent inhabitants and tourists.
Cities will incorporate recreational space into their plans so that residents have a place to
spend their time. The term "green space" or "open space" is often used to describe this.
Some cities have been even more deliberate in restoring green space to their landscapes
or purchasing ancient, abandoned parcels of land rather than allowing developers to
redevelop them. Private people can also donate to a community's recreational land. They
could build sports fields, camping grounds, or hunting grounds and charge a fee to use
them. They can also opt to keep their recreational grounds completely private for their own
pleasure. If you're planning to buy recreational land, take in mind the various zoning rules
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and restrictions. If you want to hunt or develop on recreational land, you should double-
check all zoning rules because not all recreational land use districts will allow these
activities.

2. Transport

Transport land is intended for facilities that assist people in getting from one location to
another. Roads, airports, railway stations, and subway stations are examples of
transportation land.

People need to travel about in order to live, shop, and enjoy their area, thus transportation
land is extremely vital to the community! The city owns, plans for, maintains, and upgrades
transportation land, but it can also be held by other groups like the county, state, or federal
government, or a homeowner's association (in the case of private roads).

3. Agricultural

Crops and animals are both grown and harvested on agricultural land. Ranches, farms, and
pastures are examples of these. Agricultural land use districts, in most situations, also allow
for conventional residential uses (such as building a single-family home). Agricultural
property, in our experience, is very flexible, and most parcels of rural empty land would fall
into this category.

When farmland is productive, agricultural property may provide one of the greatest returns
on investments in terms of land investment.

• Farm
A farm is a piece of land that is used to cultivate crops and raise animals for profit. Crop
farms, fish farms, dairy farms, poultry farms, and meat farms are among the several sorts
of farms.

In all of these scenarios, farmers sell the produce they grow on their property, whether it's
vegetables or livestock. This is how they make a living and stay alive.

• Ranch
A ranch is a location where animals are grown and grazed for the purpose of producing
meat and other goods.
Ranchers usually grow huge animals on the range, and the most typical example is a cattle
ranch (although you will find other animals on ranches as well). Ranchers will herd cattle
and assist them in grazing in order for them to get larger in preparation for slaughter. They
will then sell them to make money. Ranchers, like farmers, generally rely on their ranch for
a living.

• Homesteads
A farmhouse surrounded by farms for crops and animals

• Hobby Farms
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• Land used for hobby farms is also used for agriculture. However, they are often
utilized for enjoyment or leisure rather than as a source of income. Even if they are
not motivated by profit, individuals who own hobby farms or ranches use the property
for agricultural purposes.

4. Residential

Residential land is used to construct houses. Mobile homes, single-family houses, and
apartment complexes are all examples of this. Other factors to consider include accessibility
to the site, closeness to local facilities, local schools, crime rate, and so on, depending on
the local region, market conditions, and the sort of homes you want to develop. There are
several limitations to this form of land use, such as the types of animals that can be kept on
the site (dogs and cats are usually ok, pigs and horses not-so-much) Other constraints might
include the building's size, the minimum lot size, and how near your structures can be to
one other.

Residential land is one of the most prevalent land use classifications. Residential land, as
the name implies, is land on which houses are erected. Single-family residences,
prefabricated (mobile) dwellings, and apartments are all possibilities. When it comes to
residential properties, there are a few things that land purchasers should consider.

• Proximity to local amenities

• Local schools
• Crime rate
• Accessibility to the property

The sorts of animals and constructions that are allowed on these estates are frequently
restricted. Pigs, horses, and other livestock, on the other hand, are not usually allowed.
You'll almost always require additional permissions if you want to develop anything other
than a dwelling on residential land. There are frequently limitations on the size of the
building, the proximity of structures on your site, and the minimum lot size.

5. Commercial

This sort of property is reserved for companies, warehouses, stores, and other commerce-
related facilities. Office buildings, restaurants, stores, and other enterprises are often built
on this sort of property. And, while commercial land doesn't take up a lot of acreage, it's
crucial to a community's economy.
Because commercial land is so important to a community's economy, it is typically
incorporated in city planning.

If you're thinking about investing in commercial real estate, you'll need to be aware of zoning
rules. This is because if your land is located within a commercial land use district, you can
only utilize it for business reasons. While there is generally a mechanism in place to request
a zoning designation modification (also known as a variance), you'll most likely have to work
with current zoning laws for any land you wish to buy. As a result, it's critical that you double-
check that the land is classified appropriately for your intended purpose. Commercial land
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is also taxed differently than other types of property Commercial property generally has
higher tax rates since the landowner is profiting from it. As a result, the owner returns a
portion of the earnings to the town in the form of taxes. One last point to consider is that
land usage is sometimes referred to as "mixed-use." A property can be used for commercial,
residential, or agricultural purposes. A mixed-use property is one that has a small company
on the grounds as well as a residence. In this scenario, the tiny firm would need a large
number of clients to qualify for this land use classification. As a result, anyone working from
home would be ineligible. Different zoning classifications handle mixed-use buildings
differently, although a mixed-use building with commercial purposes can occasionally be
placed in a zone other than a commercial district.

When it comes to investing, understanding these land use categories is critical. If you've
ever played SimCity as a kid, you're aware that land use parameters are frequently used to
make land habitable for everyone.

Long-term activity patterns, zoning patterns, government restrictions, land availability, public
utilities, and telecommunication infrastructure are all influenced by land use patterns. It
teaches us about government priorities as well as human trends and movements throughout
that time period. Over time, land usage will continue to alter and adapt (5 Common Land
Use Definitions You Must Know in 2021, 2021).

Decrease in Natural and Agricultural Land

Many different forms of vegetative land cover are lost as land use changes from non-
urban to urban. Grassland for grazing animals, cultivated fields for food and other crops,
uncultivated regions of river banks and slopes, and forested areas with trees are all
examples of this.

Deforestation can limit water penetration into soil and groundwater, lowering the
water table and increasing the volume and speed of surface run-off; this, in turn, can
exacerbate soil erosion by exposing the land surface. Deforestation also causes a loss of
wildlife habitat and biodiversity, as well as a decline in the ecological services supplied by
trees (such as converting atmospheric carbon dioxide to oxygen by photosynthesis). You
may have also highlighted the decline in the aesthetic value of trees, which are beautiful
components of our biophysical environment.

The change in the land area available for food production is also influenced by the
decline in agricultural land. Agriculture's most fertile land is usually found near cities. When
cities grow, this land becomes encroached upon, and it is no longer suitable for food
production. As a result, there is less fertile land available to fulfill the expanding food
demands of an urban population. Increasing use of pesticides and fertilizers to boost
productivity in regions near towns and cities may stimulate increased use of pesticides and
fertilizers, which may have severe environmental consequences. It also stimulates the
cultivation of previously uncultivated terrain, such as steep slopes, which are especially
prone to soil erosion when it rains when they are ploughed.
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Increased Area of Hard Surfaces

The area of hard surfaces such as roofs, roads, and pavements grow when metropolitan
areas are built. These hard surfaces, unlike the natural ground cover they replace, are
impermeable, meaning water cannot travel through them. Rain does not percolate into the
soil or groundwater, but instead flows off the top fast. Water gathers in gutters and drains
and runs directly into rivers and ditches, quickly filling up and perhaps overflowing. Flooding
is common in many city locations due to the amount and speed of run-off. These issues are
exacerbated if there is no drainage system in place, or if drainage is insufficient or becomes
clogged with trash.

In addition to affecting the water cycle, an increase in hard surface area has an impact on
energy exchange with the atmosphere, which can result in localized weather and climatic
changes. The temperature in major cities can be a few degrees higher than in rural regions,
a phenomenon known as an urban heat island. This is due to the hard surfaces of roads
and buildings, which absorb more solar radiation and radiate heat into the surrounding air
than natural vegetated surfaces, especially at night. The impact of poor air quality on
people's health may be exacerbated by the rising temperature.

Extraction of Building Materials

The extraction of rocks and minerals for the building industry is a third category of altered
land use. Where the rocks are removed, this procedure results in the loss of vegetated land
cover. The majority of this resource extraction occurs in peri-urban regions, which are
conveniently near to building sites, reducing transportation costs and time. These negative
effects of changing land use from rural to urban add up to a long list of urbanization's
negative repercussions. One of the major goals of urban planning is to manage and
minimize these consequences.

URBAN PLANNING

Urban planning is the process of creating towns and cities that are functional and suit the
requirements of the people who live there. This is a technical procedure aimed at providing
advantages to people, regulating land use, and enhancing the natural environment. It
necessitates thorough study and planning in order to accommodate community
requirements such as housing, environmental protection, health care, and other
infrastructure.

Urban planning refers to the process of directing urban growth to avoid unplanned and
chaotic construction. Unplanned growth in peri-urban regions can cause towns and cities to
expand out, spreading the effects of land use change across a larger area. Unplanned
growth in core cities results in closely packed, single-story homes with small alleys, making
it impossible to deliver essential services to residents.

Poor housing quality and a lack of accompanying infrastructure and services define
unplanned urban growth. Electricity, water supply, sanitation, drainage, solid waste
management, roads and transportation infrastructure, stores and schools, and health care
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are all examples of insufficient services. People build unsecure dwellings in risky places due
to a shortage of available space in central metropolitan centers. These issues are addressed
through urban planning. The notion of urban planning first emerged in Europe in the
nineteenth century (Corburn, 2005). It arose from a recognition that public health and
infectious disease epidemics were linked to insufficient housing and poor sanitation, which
disproportionately affected the urban poor. Land-use zoning has become the dominant
strategy to urban planning by the twentieth century. Zoning referred to the construction of
specified zones inside a town for various activities such as residential, commercial, and
industrial. By isolating people from "noxious land uses," the goal was to enhance urban
living conditions (Corburn, 2005). However, by dividing regions where well-off people
resided from those populated by those with little or no money, zoning created a social gap,
increasing disparity between the services and amenities provided in different zones.
Excluding people from residing in core zones designated for trade and business
exacerbated urban sprawl, spreading the consequences of urbanization and land-use
change across wider regions (UN-Habitat, n.d. 1). Since then, recommended urban planning
practice has shifted away from zoning and toward concepts of integrated use, which are
meant to assure the long-term viability of future towns and cities.

URBAN SPRAWL

The way we construct the American landscape and metropolitan areas is an important factor
in establishing livable and sustainable communities. The environmental and social
circumstances in our communities are ultimately shaped by the footprint of large urban
centers, suburbs, and small villages. Researchers and policymakers interested in promoting
sustainable communities are increasingly paying attention to a sort of growth pattern known
as "sprawl." Low-density, chaotic growth spreading away from metropolitan centers is
referred to as sprawl (Burchell et al. 1998). Scientists have maintained for years that
expansive urban and suburban growth patterns have negative consequences such as
habitat fragmentation, water and air pollution, higher infrastructure costs, inequality, and
social homogeneity (Ewing 1997; Squires 2002). Understanding the origins, consequences,
and policy implications of sprawl may give valuable insight into how to build more long-term
sustainable communities.

Characteristics of Sprawl

The phenomena of sprawl have been characterized in a variety of ways, from the aesthetics
of expansion to local street layouts (Galster et al., 2001). While there is no widely recognized
definition of expansive land expansion, there are some common features that can help us
comprehend and even quantify its frequency, according to the research. These are some of
them:

1) Single-family homes with a low density. The profusion of big-lot (typically 1-5 acres
depending on the development environment) residential house complexes that devour vast
quantities of formerly empty or productive land is the most commonly mentioned aspect of
sprawl. In this context, density can be measured by median lot size, number of dwelling
units per neighborhood, or single-family unit median floor space (Song & Knaap, 2004).
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2) Automobile dependency even for short trip. Even for a short drive, people are reliant
on automobiles. Residents are compelled to rely on vehicles over other modes of
transportation due to expansive building patterns that generate huge distances between
residential units and segregate diverse land uses. Furthermore, these areas' cul-de-sac-
dominated street layouts encourage a lack of connection and serve as a barrier to walking
and bicycling to local locations (Benfield et al., 1999). Automobilism also promotes the
establishment of homogenous communities with a lack of diversity in land uses (Song &
Knaap, 2004).

3) Spiraling growth outward from existing urban centers. Low-density development that
is quickly extending away from more compact urban centers is often referred to as sprawl.
This is very common in western countries like the U.S. wherein approximately 80% of the
land used for newly developed homes are located outside of metropolitan areas, and almost
all of this property (94%) is divided into lots of one acre or bigger (Heimlich & Anderson,
2001).

4) Leapfrogging patterns of development. Dispersed development, which favors the

development of parcels located further out in the countryside over empty areas near to
current development, is another well-known characteristic of sprawl. (Torrens & Alberti,
2000). Leapfrogging results in a chaotic growth pattern that uses up a lot of space.

5) Strip Development. Another significant feature of sprawl is "ribbon" development, in

which dwellings or commercial premises border roadways stretching outward from
metropolitan centers (Tsai, 2005). Commercial strips comprised of fast-food chains and
large retail stores cater to automobile access and are often fronted by expansive parking
lots; homes arranged along rural highways present traffic safety hazards; commercial strips
comprised of fast-food chains and large retail stores cater to automobile access and are
often fronted by expansive parking lots.

6) Undefined edge between urban and rural areas. The distinction between urban and
rural realms is becoming increasingly blurred as sprawling residential development extends
outward from metropolitan centers (Heimlich & Anderson, 2001). This pattern of growth is
frequently linked to the invasion of open space and agricultural fields.

It's crucial to remember that expansive development patterns are influenced by the urban-
suburban environment. Low-density residential units may have different meanings in San
Fernando City than they do in Dagupan. Additionally, sprawl is not caused by a single
development project or neighborhood; rather, sprawl must be evaluated as a broader
pattern. as a general growth pattern

Causes

A complex combination of interconnected socioeconomic and cultural variables has resulted

in sprawl. Land value, on the other hand, is frequently cited as the primary driver of
development patterns. Sprawl is more common on the outskirts of cities, where property
values are lower (Pendall, 1999). Three fundamental dynamics interact with land prices to
generate spatial urban growth or sprawl, according to economists. First, population increase
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causes metropolitan centers to expand outward (sometime population decline also can be
a precursor to sprawl). Second, when people' wages rise, they are able to afford larger
homes. These inhabitants choose to live in suburban and ex-urban regions, which are
typically located on the fringes of metropolitan areas, since housing alternatives are less
expensive (Carruthers & Ulfarsson 2002). Third, previous expenditures in transportation
infrastructure have reduced commuting expenses, which has fueled growth outward
(Brueckner, 2000). Cities expand as a result of infrastructure, which provides the necessary
framework for residential expansion. Residents want infrastructure upgrades once new
development occurs, which spurs even more growth around the urban edge. Widespread
access, made possible by advances in transportation infrastructure and low petroleum
prices, allows developers to take advantage of cheap land outside of the city core (Gillham,
2002).

Consequences

While the research points to a variety of social and economic effects of urban expansion,
this article concentrates on environmental issues. Air pollution from automobile
dependence, water pollution caused in part by increased impervious surfaces, loss or
disruption of environmentally sensitive areas such as critical natural habitats (e.g., wetlands,
wildlife corridors), reductions in open space, increased flood risks, and overall reductions in
quality of life are just a few of the negative consequences (Kenworthy & Laube, 1999;
Hirschhorn, 2001; Kahn, 2000).

The reliance on vehicles, in particular, has led to deterioration of air and water quality as
well as the rapid depletion of fossil resources (Nechyba & Walsh, 2004). The number of
automobiles has far exceeded population expansion, and car owners are travelling longer
distances than ever before (Dunphy, 1997; Daniels, 2001).

As people migrate from cities to the outskirts of suburbia, land is being used at a quicker
rate (Porter, 2000; Kahn, 2000; Dwyer and Childs, 2004). For example, the population of
Chicago expanded by 48% between 1950 and 1995, but land covered climbed by 165
percent (Openlands Project, 1998). Similarly, more land has been built in the vast region
southeast of Boston in the last 40 years than in the previous 330 years (Southeastern
Regional Planning and Economic Development District, 1999). South Florida, where the
percentage change in urbanized land is among the greatest in the country, epitomizes the
sprawl associated with fast population expansion (Fulton et al., 2001). According to Lang
(2003), South Florida has the lowest percentage of office space in its major downtown areas
out of 13 big U.S. office markets (Miami). Only 13% of office space in South Florida is
situated in its central business district (CBD), compared to a median of roughly 30% for all
13 areas. Wildlife migration across the terrain can be hampered by separating vast natural
areas into smaller spatial units (Peck 1998; Cieslewicz, 2002). By leaving sections of open
land mixed with built-up regions, leapfrog development patterns further divide natural
ecosystems. Roads, fences, and other sharp, human-defined edges can function as barriers
for a variety of animals (Brody, 2008). The widely held belief that this type of development
pattern provides relatively affordable housing opportunities and a seemingly higher quality
of life must be balanced against these negative consequences of sprawl (The
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Characteristics, Causes, and Consequences of Sprawling Development Patterns in the

United States | Learn Science at Scitable, 2021).

Sprawl Reduction Policies

While the causes and consequences of sprawl may appear overwhelming, there are a
number of policies and practices that can help to prevent unsustainable growth patterns
from spreading. Local planning strategies can aid local communities in achieving the desired
spatial design and land use intensity by guiding expansion in a more environmentally friendly
manner. Planning regulations and practices, in particular, can aid in concentrating
expansion in certain regions, preventing development from expanding uncontrolled into rural
areas, and protecting or restoring a region's natural resource base. This form of
development is referred to by several titles, including "smart growth," "compact
development," and even "new urbanism" (see Knaap & Talen, 2005).

Local decision-makers can choose from a variety of measures to reduce sprawl. Subdivision
restrictions, zoning requirements, building permit limitations, and urban growth borders, for
example, can prevent or divert expansion away from unsuitable areas. Second, incentive-
based strategies such as special taxation districts, clustering homes, development density
bonuses, and the transfer of development rights from rural to urban locations can help to
keep expansion inside a central business district. Third, infrastructure-based measures such
as targeted public investments, capital upgrades programming, development phasing, and
urban service zones can help to steer expansion away from environmentally vulnerable
regions. Fourth, land acquisition strategies enable local governments to buy and safeguard
environmentally vital regions, ranging from fee-simple parcel purchases to conservation
easements. Finally, educational and outreach initiatives focused at helping a wide range of
people understand the negative consequences of sprawl and how to mitigate them can be
beneficial. (Brody et al., 2006; Deuksen et al., 1997).

These measures, among others, can aid in the reduction of sprawl while yet allowing for
necessary growth. Cleaner air and water, the conservation of natural systems, cheaper
infrastructure costs, and improved quality of life are the end results. It's worth noting that, in
most situations, a single growth control strategy isn't enough to stop outward expansion; it
has to be part of a larger plan (Song, 2005).

URBAN DESIGN

Urban design is the manipulation of the physical environment, in a way that:

• Pursues multiple objectives,

• For multiple clients (including affected members of the public), that
• Addresses the way people perceive and behave in their surroundings,
• Considers the implications of form-giving actions (including the environmental and
ecological consequences) at a range of scales (sometimes from the individual to the
regional), and
• Is conducted through an explicit public decision-making process that:
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1. Offers the pubic the opportunity to participate in the process in a meaningful way,
2. Identifies goals and objectives,
3. Analyzes existing conditions,
4. Explores alternate concepts and solutions,
5. Evaluates those options with respect to project goals and public values,
6. Selects the preferred alternative or combines preferred elements into a synthesized
concept, and
7. Includes an implementation strategy.

For three reasons, this is a compelling definition. First, it conveys a set of implicit ideals that
should be pursued by all relevant urban design efforts. To be classified as urban design, an
activity must be carried out as part of a public process that takes into account the diverse
goals of people who are affected. This balance of competing interests should result in the
pursuit of just and equitable solutions. 5 practitioners seek to avoid some of the inhumane
and dysfunctional places that have been constructed in the name of city planning by
stressing impacts on human perception and behavior. Considering the effects of a proposed
action at various sizes will also assist urban planners in connecting their efforts to bigger
(and often more intimate) physical and environmental ramifications, as well as broader
policy goals. Second, the suggested definition provides a helpful checklist for designers,
planners, engineers, and other practitioners to utilize in order to ensure that they are
addressing the fundamental values of urban design mentioned above. While it may seem
pointless to pursue “urban design” for the sake of it, keeping track of actions in relation to
the definition's major aspects will assist keep the project on track to meet important policy
and physical objectives. Third, the definition gives a clear framework for implementing urban
design principles by defining a logical participatory approach by which to pursue the
profession. This will be described in the part detailing a public decision-making process in
detail.

What is Urban?

The name "urban" has been a significant impediment to the discipline, since it indicates that
urban designers only examine densely populated areas or that they seek to urbanize
whatever they touch. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. In rural regions,
urban design has proved beneficial in attaining environmental resource management goals
(see Randall Arendt Rural by Design, 1994). An appropriate replacement appellation, on
the other hand, has eluded us. Many people believe that "community design" implies a
specific scale and concentration of activities. “Civic design” usually refers to massive public
infrastructure, whereas “environmental design” emphasizes environmental preservation. As
a result, urban designers, particularly those working in smaller towns, have begun to clarify
how the word is used in their context. For my purposes, the term "urban" and "urban design"
refer to any settings that are directly impacted by people.

What is Design?

There are several dictionary entries for the verb “design”.

1. To create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan,
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2. To conceive and plan out in the mind. (Merriam Webster On-Line Dictionary) 2. To make
or draw plans for something (Cambridge Dictionary).
3. To plan and fashion artistically or skillfully,
4. To form or conceive in the mind. (Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary of the English
Language). Four characteristics of the design process are implicit in these descriptions,
which characterize urban designers' work and make it a vital component of the planning and
design community. To begin, design necessitates the assembly and integration of several
separate parts. Urban designers, for example, are responsible for integrating the land use,
transportation, and physical components of a developing transit-oriented development or
the environmental, recreational, and community development elements of a waterfront
project in professional practice. This proclivity for combining physical and mental
components

First, design requires the assembly and integration of various individual elements.
Urban designers, for example, are responsible for integrating the land use, transportation,
and physical components of a developing transit-oriented development or the
environmental, recreational, and community development elements of a waterfront project
in professional practice. Most urban designers are typically picked to head projects such as
transit station area plans, downtown plans, waterfront redevelopment plans, and so on
because of their proclivity to combine diverse physical and conceptual aspects. This
integrative method can be beneficial in integrating diverse planning aspects such as land
use, transportation, and housing in terms of comprehensive planning. A distinct urban
design aspect may sometimes assist the public comprehend how the other components fit
together as a holistic plan, which is an extra benefit given urban design's emphasis on
execution.

Second, design can provide non-binary solutions to problems that would otherwise
create conflicts among affected stakeholders. Urban design activities provide a more
flexible approach because design is generally an iterative process, with original concepts
being revised throughout the process. That is, design solutions are more likely to provide
win-win outcomes since they often incorporate a variety of factors that are not binary. When
choosing the size of a park, for example, there are typically several alternatives available,
and the decision might be based on the goals of the participants rather than a binary yes/no
decision or a compromise solution.

Third, training in the manipulation of physical forms generally leads urban designers
to think visually and spatially. This propensity is beneficial in expressing non-physical
notions, such as complicated procedures, organizational linkages, and integration
techniques, as well as in physical design, such as a town center layout. Visual thinking is
frequently a necessary complement to the linear textual content that is common in many
professional tasks. In a conference room meeting, for example, I propose that urban
designers sit with their backs to the white board so that they may spin around and draw a
fast diagram to explain the important points being made if required. Typically, a diagram like
these aids in framing the debate and, ultimately, the project's direction.

Fourth, the design process adds complementary modes of thought to city planning
activities. Professor Donald A Schon discusses a technique he terms "reflection in action"
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those professionals typically employ when confronted with a challenge or challenging job in
their work in his famous book The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action
(1983). The goal of this activity is to think about the problem, come up with a solution, assess
it, and tweak it to make it better match the situation. In some ways, this is just a continuation
of the iterative trial and error process.

But, as Schon points out, the difference between "reflection in action" and a basic iterative
process is that the practitioner reflects on what she is doing while doing it. (This is what
cognitive psychologists term a "recursive function," which is required for higher-order
cognitive skills) (See Douglas Hofstadter: Godel, Escher, Bach, An Eternal Golden Braid,
1979.) Schon discusses the process of reflection in action in the context of a variety of
professional fields, although he spends the most of the book studying the mental process in
the setting of a school design case study. The following are the parts of the procedure that
are most important here:

1. Framing and reframing the problem; that is, while the designer works toward a
certain set of goals, taking a step back to see if there is another perspective on the
problem. When aiming to visually integrate a lengthy street corridor with various
development features, for example, a common technique is to include a unifying
element such as a uniform planting of street trees or unique lighting standards.
However, another approach to frame the issue is to revisit the objectives and
understand that what matters most is that the corridor's design character is unified
and aesthetically coherent. Another option is to let the individual corridor segments
express their unique personalities while emphasizing the transition between them,
ensuring continuity via strategic integration of urban design features at the transition
site. Exploring solutions by holding some elements or aspects constant while
proposing new configurations or elements. As noted above, this iterative function
allows for interactive public engagement.

2. Judging outcomes in relation to the initial goals, which will keep the process focused
as the practitioner expands both the framework and the solution possibilities.

3. Artistry, which refers to the practitioner's use of and integration of a variety of models,
ideas, and intuition to come up with viable solutions to a problem. Lee Copeland, a
practicing architect and former dean and professor at both the University of
Washington and the University of Pennsylvania, points out that the creative design
process entails combining rigorous analysis with knowledgeable intuition, and that
intuition is essential in moving from an analytical understanding to design solutions.
4. Clearly articulating both the problem and the solution. If this is accomplished, the
work's conceptual foundation is nearly complete.

Manipulating the Physical Environment

To begin, it's important to understand that "manipulating the physical environment" refers to
a wide range of actions in various physical contexts. Direct physical design and building,
regulatory measures to steer physical changes over time, economic and community
 NARRATIVE REPORT

development initiatives, regional growth strategies, and institutional measures like financing
programs that eventually result in physical actions are all examples of “manipulation.
Similarly, the word "physical environment" should be construed widely to cover not only
densely populated urban regions, but also small towns, rural areas, and local communities.
Ecological planning and restoration in both urban and wilderness environments have also
benefited greatly from the use of urban design technologies.

Pursue Multiple Objectives

Given the urgency of many of the contemporary issues cities face – transportation
bottlenecks, housing shortages, homelessness, gentrification, and so on – it's no surprise
that planners are being instructed to focus on single-purpose projects that address specific
requirements. Such answers are reasonable and essential in many respects. An urban
design strategy that combines numerous aims and form-based approaches, on the other
hand, can make it easier to achieve the original goal by allowing for a more complete
approach.

Address Objectives of Multiple Clients

Contrast the urban design method with big site master planning, which is generally begun
by a single body for its particular and individual aims, to demonstrate the need of balancing
the interests of all individuals affected by an urban design activity. It is possible that property
owners will involve the public in master planning their sites, but in the end, they will generally
gravitate to their own interests - a perfectly acceptable thing to do, but not urban design as
described above.

• A Challenge: Fair and Inclusive Public Engagement

Of course, such public participation in community planning activities has nearly become the
norm. Professionals have developed a variety of strategies for eliciting feedback and
working with groups toward common goals or resolving problems. However, these public
input attempts frequently fail to effectively involve disadvantaged people that are unable or
unwilling to attend public hearings, particularly in diverse areas. Too frequently, individuals
with the means to make their voices heard influence the recommendations to public
authorities that come from public engagement procedures, while others, usually those with
fewer resources, are unable or unable to participate. This can severely limit the profession's
capacity to ensure that public policies and acts are fair.

Many designers and planners who worked with the public in the past thought that people
would engage if they were interested in a particular problem. We now know that this is not
always the case, and that new techniques of outreach are required. Many individuals have
obstacles to actively addressing their concerns, such as a lack of time, language challenges,
government distrust, transportation issues, and cultural inclination. We must give equitably
accessible participation if we want equitable solutions, which includes developing innovative
ways to engage a larger range of the public. While there is no silver bullet to solve this
problem, the options listed below appear to be promising.
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1. Neighborhood Organizations

Official staff-initiated outreach initiatives for particular projects are proving to be both costly
and time-consuming, as well as frequently ineffective. A different and previously utilized
strategy, which was more prevalent in Seattle from the 1970s through the 1990s, was to
support local community groups (councils, community development clubs, etc.) and engage
their help in outreach initiatives. Local organizations, such as PTAs, churches, and schools,
can disseminate information and promote involvement more successfully than city officials,
while city staff help is also necessary. The most important thing is to make sure that the
community groups are really reflective of their neighborhoods. The groups got assistance
and resources from the city if they could show this. This location-based strategy has gained
and lost favor throughout time, but it appears that proximity and social relationships within
a community are still important. That is to say, urban design, which deals with social
interactions in the public sphere, is critical to the wider public engagement endeavor. While
physical improvements have demonstrated the value of local organizations' efforts – a new
park here, a better development proposal there – a real benefit is that these organizations
can serve as an ongoing conduit for communication and collaboration between individual
community members and public officials. When a local issue or worry develops, these
relationships are extremely helpful.

2. Social Indicators

Several towns and local governments around the country are analyzing social variables
linked to human health and safety, economic stability, educational attainment, non-English
speakers, and quality of life elements using GIS-based information systems (See, for
example: King County, Washington’s The Determinants of Equity Identifying Indicators to
Establish a Baseline of Equity in King County at: https://www.kingcounty.
gov/elected/executive/~/media/4FF2703953404 8F9BC15B2A0FFDDE881.ashx?la=en )
And, the City of Seattle has recently developed an analysis identifying neighborhoods most
vulnerable to displacement. (at: https://www.governing. com/gov-data/seattle-gentrification-
mapsdemographic-data.html ) These types of analysis might reveal patterns and
geographic hotspots that demand extra attention when it comes to community engagement.

3. Coordination With Social Service Providers

Too frequently, the role of organizations that provide social and health services, such as
human and mental health, children and youth programs, housing, and so on, is overlooked
in urban design projects, owing to the concentration on physical design. However, there are
other objectives that overlap, and more collaboration should be begun. This is especially
true when seeking to reach out to under-represented communities and meet their needs.
Social service providers will be able to more readily identify the demographics from which
their customers originate, as well as the most effective ways to include them in the public
process.
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• Two Clients: The future and the Earth

Future citizens and the environment are two unspoken clients whose interests must be
expressed during the public decision-making process. If no one else speaks for those
"customers," it is the job of the urban designer (or planner, if they are heading the project).
One method to meet the requirements of future persons is to ask that participants envision
themselves as a young person for the appropriate time period in the future and role play
what their values may be throughout the visioning or objective defining stages of the project.
The exercise will not guarantee a correct prediction of the future, but it will encourage
individuals to think about long-term goals rather than simply current concerns.

Simply presenting a definition of the project area's ecology, as well as environmental

hazards and enhancement possibilities, is one of the most effective methods to address
environmental issues. There are a growing number of ways to depict this in a way that “tells
the narrative of” what makes the ecological system operate, why it is essential, and what
actions might either degrade or enhance ecological functions.

Address The Sensory Environment: Understand and Consider the Way People
Perceive and Behave in Their Surroundings

Urban designers must comprehend and address how individuals and groups of people
perceive and operate within their settings while designing the human environment, whether
it is the design of streets, building compositions, pastoral parks, neighborhood centers, or
small towns. This is a critical capacity in urban design that is rarely addressed by other
disciplines. When it comes to a person's immediate surroundings, urban design research
has yielded some extremely valuable findings. Other, wider elements of human behavior,
particularly collective human behavior at various sizes, should be taken into account. The
following characteristics of the human-environment interaction should be considered by
urban planners and others conducting research on this issue.

• Perception: Human responses to the sensory environment

This topic addresses questions such as:
• What makes a street seem to narrow? What makes it perceived as a cohesive and
comfortable space?
• How do we perceive spaces through which we travel? How can we design a roadway or
pathway that offers a pleasant sequence of stimuli?
• In a crowded city, where do we concentrate our gaze? Are the top floors of high-rise
buildings in our minds? Or do we keep our gaze at eye level, primarily observing the
streetscape and the first several stories of nearby buildings? What does this mean for the
way we create design standards for urban environments?

The way we see linear areas as we travel through them, or our sequential experiences, is a
related element of human perception that requires specific attention. This is particularly
important when designing streetscapes, roads, or walkways, and is an excellent example of
converting perceptual preferences into urban design criteria. In his work The View from the
Road (1965), Donald Appleyard was one of the first to investigate this issue, analyzing and
annotating sights as individuals traveled down a highway.
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• People’s behavior in a public setting

This addresses a wide range of topics and considerations, such as:

• What makes for a comfortable public space?
• What sizes and configurations are best for public plazas in certain conditions?
• How can we accommodate a wide range of users in a public space?
• How far will people travel to visit a public plaza for a workday picnic lunch? What will entice
people to use a local neighborhood business district more frequently?
• What makes for safe bicycle and pedestrian movement? How do people behave in
crosswalks, bicycle lanes, etc.? What is effective in encouraging bicycle ridership?

The growing study on traffic safety, particularly for walkers and cyclists, is one
behavior/environment interaction that deserves specific attention. Much of this is being done
by transportation planners and focuses on innovative street designs like those found in the
NACTO's Complete Streets Complete Networks: A Manual for the Design of Active
Transportation, which was published in 2012. As engineers and urban planners begin to
implement these new concepts, it will be critical to analyze the most recent studies on the
safety and functionality of these new models, as well as conduct case study evaluations to
assess their efficacy. The relationship between human health and the environment is
another area where fresh research may help designers and planners. It is now well
acknowledged that walkable neighborhoods and access to “natural” surroundings, such as
parks and trees, provide significant health advantages. This is an essential justification for
lobbying for greater funding for improved sidewalks, trails, and open spaces, in addition to
offering recommendations on specific projects. As a result, there is a plethora of knowledge
available on the topic. Collecting, organizing, and cross-referencing this data, possibly in a
pattern language or “wiki-like” style, appears to be a useful service.

• Cultural behaviors and preferences

Most urban designers have attempted to be attentive to local communities by including or

emphasizing ethnic cultural activities and manifestations via design. Designers, for example,
have created parks to accommodate ethnic festivals and the many ways in which people
from other cultures utilize space. This reaction to cultural behavior, connections, and
preferences might be expanded to encompass culture in a broader, more inclusive meaning.
Is Silicon Valley's "culture," defined as "the habits, arts, social institutions, and achievements
of a specific nation, people, or other social group," a genuine thing? Are we developing
separate civilizations as America splits itself along ideological and political lines? If at all,
how should urban designers respond? Gentrification concerns are inextricably linked to
rapidly changing cultures in a specific community.

• Economic and functional behaviors.

Economic behavior is important in many urban design projects, such as community plans,
site development, transit-oriented development planning, and other efforts where private
development is a goal, because market demand for various uses and site development
feasibility will influence the type, size, location, and configuration of what gets built. It is
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usually essential to engage a real estate economist or development professional for the
sorts of projects listed above to: 1) conduct a market analysis to identify development
opportunities for new or redevelopment, 2) conduct pro forma analyses of scenarios created
by the urban designer or architect to evaluate the feasibility of different development types
and sites, and 3) advise on regulatory measures, capital improvements, and development
incentives that would encourage the desired development.

• Behaviors related to locational preferences and accessibility.

Researching and resolving regional and sub-regional urban growth and circulation patterns
appears to be a little off the beaten path from the original objective of linking human behavior
to the environment. Larger urban patterns, on the other hand, are the consequence of
human activity, preferences, and movement. Ian McHarg proved regional scale efforts are
an essential element of the design professionals' scope in Design with Nature (1969), and
modern geodesign technologies are proving his ideas even more potent. (See A Framework
for Geodesign: Changing Geography by Design by Carl Steinitz (2012)). Given the fast
expansion of urban zones throughout the world, understanding these patterns is critical if
the planning and design disciplines are to have any effect on them. Addressing this issue
requires urban designers to look beyond what has historically been considered urban
design.

Gentrification, Displacement and Social Equity

Gentrification and displacement are particularly difficult challenges that arise from the
above-mentioned economic and land-use growth trends. Traditionally, urban design
initiatives such as roadway, park, and community facility upgrades have been utilized to
improve the livability and economic activity of impoverished communities. Such techniques
have typically performed successfully in periods of low to moderate growth. Residents and
companies in the area have been able to reap the advantages of increasing investment.
During periods of rapid growth, however, a project like a main street improvement or a rapid
transit station can attract large amounts of outside investment, resulting in whole-sale, up-
scale redevelopment that alters the neighborhood's character and may evict residents and
businesses who can't afford the higher rents and prices. (See How to Kill a City:
Gentrification, Inequality and the Fight for the Neighborhood by Peter Moskowitz (2017) and
Gentrifier by John Joe Schlichtman et.al. (2017)).

Recognizing that issues of economic, racial, and social equity must be addressed at a more
fundamental, societal level, urban designers must be more aware of the social and
economic impacts of their projects, particularly in poorer, underinvested neighborhoods
where public resources should otherwise be directed. To mitigate the effects of fast
redevelopment, this would most likely include integrating urban design improvements with
a complete suite of housing affordability, small business support, and other initiatives. Cities
around the country are grappling with this problem, which necessitates urban designers'
continued sensitivity in their work.
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Consider The Implications of Form-Giving Actions at A Range of Scales

In its most basic form, this element instructs the urban designer to look beyond the project
limits in order to detect both the good and negative effects of the design intervention. The
Delridge Triangle design is an easy-to-understand illustration of this concept. The first
project included redesigning a triangular plot of land made up of the leftover right-of-way
from a "Y" shaped intersection. The design team, which included community members,
architects, planners, and landscape architects, reviewed the City's statistics and
demonstrated that the surrounding area lacked parks and open space, and that the
population was diverse and had a lower average income level. These factors made it simpler
for the community to express the need for a multi-use park that could be built by shutting a
nearby roadway and giving more cash than was available at the time. Not only did the plan
include a preliminary layout typical of a park design project, as well as recommendations for
landscaping and storm water improvements to nearby parcels similarly shaped by the
skewed street network, but it also included an implementation strategy that included an
inter-departmental property transfer and both short- and long-term funding measures.

While site-specific initiatives are vital, it looks that new problems such as environmental
sustainability, gentrification, and environmental justice will need urban designers to address
larger-scale issues while working on place-based urban design and community
rehabilitation projects. On challenges that must be handled regionally as well as locally,
urban designers, planners, and landscape architects are increasingly working at the regional
or "landscape" scale. This adds weight to the command to address effects at different
scales.

Use an Explicit Public Decision-Making Process

As previously stated, Wolfe stressed the need of a logical, inclusive, and clear (meaning
well-defined from the outset) public decision-making process. Before going into the phases
in the process, it's necessary to talk about how to get equal and inclusive public feedback.

Depending on whether or not there are established community groups, local, widely read
media, different ethnic populations, and other factors, the means of broad outreach and
participation might vary greatly from community to community. The part instructing urban
designers to include feedback from a variety of "customers" has explored the challenges of
engaging certain demographics. Online-based outreach is frequently helpful, and a web
survey conducted early in the process may both inform people about the project and engage
them in a way that motivates them to participate further. A statistically valid survey, such as
a telephone survey, is usually too expensive for a small-scale enterprise.

Public work sessions and open homes are still effective ways to generate broad and
concentrated participation. If the outreach was effective, attendance will be reflective of the
wider community, and attendees will be able to focus on the specific topics or objectives of
the work session, possibly in small groups. Open houses are better for allowing individuals
to go through materials than for participatory problem solving or thinking. An open house,
which allows participants to acquaint themselves with the materials and debate them
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informally with their friends and neighbors, is sometimes recommended, followed by an

interactive work session.

Working with a project steering committee at critical times in the process, notably in
formalizing objectives, generating alternatives, and creating a preferred idea, is the easiest
way to gain focused involvement. A committee can also examine documents before they
are distributed to the public and rate how comprehensible they are. An excellent outreach
technique is to encourage committee members to reach out to their cohorts, and an active
and dedicated committee may help with implementation efforts once the plan or project is
approved. Individual interviews and specific subject focus groups where people with
comparable problems may share their objectives are also beneficial.

Steps in a generalized public decision-making process

The talk that follows is about a generalized urban design and planning approach. The
explanations of the individual phases are simply recommendations based on experience,
and there are countless variants on this broad structure.

1. Discuss the scope of work, timetable, and project protocols with the rest of the team. Meet
with the project steering committee shortly after to introduce the team and committee
members and to discuss the project. It's also an excellent opportunity for committee
members to discuss their project-related interests and goals.

2. Conduct current conditions study, which includes real estate market analysis (if
applicable) and identification of project limitations, environmental conditions, and urban
design context. This effort should result in a collection of basic maps with important
information depicted on them, as well as easy-to-understand summaries of essential non-
geographic data.

3. Conduct the first round of outreach and the first Public Work Session. (PW#1) Ideally,
public outreach and polls should begin soon after the first meeting of the committee. The
first public workshop can be arranged once these efforts and the current circumstances
analysis are completed. The following is an example of an effective method for this session:

• Examine the findings of the existing-conditions study. This might be presented as a

community "mirror," describing key circumstances, demographics, ongoing initiatives and
activities, and so on.
• Initiate a group conversation about the company's aims and ambitions. Assigning a "panel"
of note takers to write and illustrate participants' remarks on 8-1/2"x11" sheets that are then
immediately posted to the wall is a helpful format for this. This method is considerably faster
than taking notes on a flip chart, and the comments may be grouped by topic. Participants
can then use dots to indicate their preferences.
• Identify issues, concerns, and suggestions in small groups around tables and show on the
base maps. All of the findings of the exercises can be gathered in advance of the project
steering committee meeting (Step 4) where the options will be drawn out. Depending on
whether the project is a plan, such as a neighborhood plan, regulatory measures, a physical
 NARRATIVE REPORT

design for the public realm, or another urban design measure, the form of this exercise will
differ.

4. Create different settings or designs. It's often a good idea to conduct this in a charrette-
style work session with the project committee. The planning/design team should lead the
meeting and contribute ideas and technical information as needed.

5. In Step 4, refine and assess the choices from the drawings. Technical concerns that arose
during stages 2 and 3 should be considered throughout the review. Transportation
modeling, economic feasibility, and environmental assessments are particularly useful at
this stage. If an environmental impact statement (EIS) is required as part of the project, the
study should be completed in accordance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).

6. To assess the alternatives, hold a second public work session. This session might start
with an overview of the options, with participants registering their comments on work sheets,
using instant response technology, or utilizing online meeting technology, and then move
on to small group discussions using work sheets to record group replies. The findings of the
two activities combine to provide measurable individual gut-level preferences as well as the
outcomes of more deliberate group discussions on the problems. It's crucial to emphasize
that the goal of this exercise isn't to choose a favorite option, but rather to determine the
parts or aspects of the many options they appreciate. To supplement the work session
results, web-based surveys and other outreach approaches can be employed.

7. Compose a preferred alternative with the project committee, based on the outcomes of
the evaluation exercises, surveys, and other data. This is what Wolfe referred to as the
synthesis phase, and it includes the earlier mentioned reflection in action/intuitive process.

8. Develop an implementation plan and refine and explain the preferable alternative.
Defining a precise implementation strategy may be a difficult element of the project,
especially if it includes a lot of different tasks and people. However, because the
effectiveness of a plan is determined by decisions and actions, implementation measures
should be taken into account in Steps 5 and 7.

9. Conduct the third public work session to evaluate and comment on the plan and
implementation strategy, as well as to establish priorities. This work session might be an
open house, with brief presentations scheduled at specific times. Before the plan or project
design is finished, the findings will highlight any modifications that need to be done.

10. Review the public comments with the project committee and make any necessary
changes.

The Problem with The Rational Urban Design Process

There is one major issue: individuals do not always act logically. As a result, a variety of
scenarios arise that make it difficult to pursue a rational path of action based on public
agreement. The following are some of the roadblocks to making a fair and reasonable
decision:
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• Opposition to any change based on unsupported fear of loss.

• Poor communication – inability to understand or accept information.
• Mistrust of other groups or the agency proposing an intervention.
• Prejudicial bias against a group or type of proposed action (e.g: zoning change).
• Giving priority to one pre-selected interest over others.
• Political gain of those in power.
•
The way humans see and absorb information causes many of these and other challenges.
Human decisions are affected or decided by people's subconscious rather than the
conscious, "logical" component of their brain processes, according to the majority of
cognitive and social scientists. Urban planners and designers might benefit from a greater
understanding of how these cognitive processes may influence individual and group
decision-making. Many of the above-mentioned obstacles can be mitigated if these
processes are understood. The following is a quick rundown of some of the most important
social science research findings.

The majority of new cognitive science breakthroughs are based on a greater knowledge of
the human brain's evolution, structure, and function. Since Descartes, philosophers and
scientists have divided the brain and its mental functions into two parts: 1) the "innate,"
"automatic," and intuitive part, which regulates body functions and generates instinctual,
subconscious, and emotional behavior, and 2) the rational, deductive part, which governs
conscious, deliberate thought. Antonio Damasio, a cognitive scientist, discovered that the
two sections work together and that instinctive and subconscious brain activity are required
for rational thinking and planning. As a result, survival-based instincts, deep-seated beliefs,
and emotions play a crucial but frequently overlooked role in almost all brain operations
(Damasio, 1994).

Linguistics

This knowledge can help urban designers communicate with decision-makers and the
general public. Consider the metaphors people employ to describe new concepts as one
apparent example. The phrase "linear community" describes a setting where people are
linked to resources and attractions along a linear transit route rather than in a concentric
pattern when describing the transformation of a commercial strip along a highway into a
multimodal transportation spine with nodes of pedestrian oriented mixed-use development.
However, it also creates the impression that the system is a real society with social ties and
a sense of self.

Social Capital

Robert Putnam's book, Bowling Alone, provides another major field of work connecting
human behavior, culture, and the ensuing institutional structure (2000). Putnam claims that
effective societies have a high amount of “social capital,” which he defines as “individual
relationships, social networks, and the reciprocity and trustworthiness standards that
emerge from them.” Formal and informal social contact, as well as group involvement,
produce social capital at the local level. Putnam discovered that enhanced social capital in
a community facilitated successful governance in earlier research published in Making
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Democracy Work (1993). He highlighted that social capital has plummeted in recent
decades, equating this trend with a loss in Americans' faith in government, business, and
other individuals, all of which pose a threat to the country's social and political institutions.
If Putnam is accurate, the interconnectivity of social capital is an example of individual
actions responding to a change in the environment and resulting in a cultural shift that
impacts the nation's institutional fabric. Better public transit and zoning rules, as well as
measures to encourage voting and political participation, are among Putnam's
recommendations for strengthening the country's social capital (Putnam, 2000). Designers
and planners will undoubtedly find work in this agenda.

IMPLICATIONS

Many of the ideas outlined above are divisive, and the field is still in its early stages.
However, when taken together, contemporary cognitive science findings create a novel
picture of human behavior that differs from classic rational planning and policymaking. If
people's motives are guided by subconscious predispositions rather than objective thinking,
how can professionals better convey new ideas, suggest revolutionary change, promote
various habits, and build effective coalitions? Here are some ideas for using behavioral
science knowledge to improve communication, organization, and behavior influence.

To begin, understand how cognitive processes influence people's perceptions, decisions,

and actions. Simply being more aware of how we describe issues, prepare individuals to
think in specific ways, or frame the decision-making environment might help enhance city-
building methods. Designers, planners, and policymakers can be more honest and even-
handed in their communication if they avoid unwittingly reinforcing cognitive predispositions.
Furthermore, comprehending the psychological dynamics of group behavior might help us
enhance our facilitation and organizational efforts.
Second, use particular social science research-based approaches. The preceding summary
of a few recent scientific results, as brief as it is, offers a variety of practical uses for this
new information. Individual approaches, on the other hand, will be more effective if they can
be coordinated inside the planning process. Beginning with public outreach and goal setting
and progressing through alternative formulation and assessment, decision making, and
implementation, the table at the conclusion of this article illustrates some of the approaches
that may be most effective in each of the design and planning process phases. The table is
only the beginning of a larger process-oriented framework for implementing new behavioral
science research. While designing and directing a participatory public planning process is
as much an art as it is a science, developing a methodological framework that can adapt to
a range of scenarios and incorporate new research findings deserves further attention.

Third, increase social capital through the planning process. A good by-product of planning
work is typically more active civic participation and community involvement. Adopted policy,
implemented changes and programs, or even a colorful planning document are more likely
to be viewed as actual proof of a project's success by planners. However, given the
importance of social capital in allowing participatory democratic governance and supporting
bigger institutions and governments, long-term public participation in civic affairs appears to
be a key aim in and of itself. As a result, public engagement in the planning process should
be aimed toward creating social capital through establishing social links within a community
 NARRATIVE REPORT

and encouraging collaboration between communities and local governments. It may also be
necessary to establish implementation measures in order to promote further public
engagement. A local walkability program, for example, that invests a limited sum each year
for pedestrian and traffic calming improvements, may include a process in which residents
organize and nominate high-priority projects for financing.

THE ROLE OF URBAN DESIGN

In at least two ways, urban designers can contribute to the city/community-building process:
1.) as a problem-solving supporter of a larger comprehensive planning or infrastructure
development effort, and 2.) as a leader or manager of a complex multi-disciplined
professional team working on a complex project.

Urban Design in A Problem-Solving Support Role

Urban designers are frequently relied upon to provide specific knowledge in physical form
providing to project teams. Urban design is frequently utilized to solve a specific problem,
add dimension to a project, or resolve a dispute in these situations. For example, the Growth
Management Act (GMA) of Washington State requires many of the state's cities to develop
comprehensive plans in response to the Act's objectives, which include greater
concentration of development (rather than rural expansion), critical area protection, housing
options, and so on. While the GMA focuses on comprehensive planning, it has resulted in a
significant amount of work for urban designers who are tasked with addressing the Act's
various planning issues. Infrastructure projects, such as highway corridor upgrades,
bridges, port developments, and other capital improvement projects, regularly enlist the help
of urban designers. In this scenario, urban design may be utilized to complement
engineering structures with human-scaled features that improve the project's aesthetic
and/or pedestrian characteristics.

The Urban Designer a Project Team Leader

Because of their generalist technical backgrounds, physical design, and communication

skills, urban designers are frequently appointed to head multidisciplined teams working on
complicated projects. Urban design is a logical discipline around which to organize, for
example, a downtown or community plan, a transit-oriented development effort, or a large-
scale redevelopment strategy, because it touches and hopefully integrates other disciplines
such as transportation, land use, environmental protection, housing, and so on.
Furthermore, because people care deeply about the physical and aesthetic features of their
communities, the capacity to address a community's physical character through urban
design exercises has shown to be necessary in public engagement initiatives.
As part of their leadership position, the urban designer must take on project management
responsibilities, managing all parts of the project's procedural and technical features. It also
necessitates some knowledge of the other disciplines engaged in the project. If a person is
interested in project leadership, urban design is an excellent path to take, regardless of
whether their initial specialty is planning, architecture, or landscape architecture.
 NARRATIVE REPORT

PUBLIC SPACES

The quality of public places has a significant impact on our perceptions of a city. We will
seldom return if they are not pleasant and well-maintained, or if they convey a sense of
insecurity. The rule, not the exception, should be good space planning.

There is a network of spaces among city structures that develop and deepen relationships
at various levels of impact. They'd be between the lines of a book: the implied meaning
between tangible. Public spaces, which bring life to the urban voids, are inextricably linked
to the formation of what we call a city and affect the interactions that emerge inside it.

“When we talk about a city's streets and other public places, we're talking about the city's
own identity. In her dissertation Urban mobility: public policies and the appropriation of
space in Brazilian cities, Lara Caccia, Urban Development Specialist at WRI Brasil Cidades
Sustentáveis, explains that “it is in these spaces that human exchanges and relationships,
the diversity of use and vocation of each place, and the conflicts and contradictions of
society are manifested.”
Neighborhoods' communal bonds are shaped via public spaces. They are meeting locations
that can aid with political mobilization, activities, and crime prevention. They are places
where people may engage and exchange ideas about how to improve the quality of the
urban environment. Cafes, bookshops, and bars, while not called "public venues," have
similar effects. Public spaces also provide physical and mental health benefits: individuals
feel better and are more active in beautiful public areas.

Going even further, the presence and development of public places may be linked to
democratic principles. The way common areas are created, regulated, and used is reflected
in a place's culture, structure, and social hierarchy. The more varied and dynamic urban
places are, the more equitable, affluent, and democratic society develops, as Ben Rogers
shows out. This claim is founded on the notion of public space, which is defined as an open,
freely accessible, and democratic setting.

A good public space represents variety and encourages people to live together in harmony,
while also providing the essential circumstances for permanency and inviting people to be
out on the streets. People are drawn to areas because of their liveliness. What guarantees
this vitality is the possibility of enjoying urban spaces in various ways. PPS is a non-profit
organization committed to assisting individuals in creating and maintaining public spaces.
The Power of Ten is discussed by PPS: a decent public place should offer at least ten
options. This comprises a list of activities that people may participate in as well as 10
reasons to visit. Without the 10 items, these regions become places of transit where people
do not want to remain since there is nothing to keep them there. “Quality and useable public
spaces, along with increased urban vibrancy, will improve the impression of security and
democratization of these areas,” adds Lara.

It's a two-way street: people will be on the street if they feel comfortable, and the more
people who utilize the street, the safer it becomes. We've put up a list of ten principles to
consider while designing a high-quality public area. The aspects are interconnected – for
example, active facades and human-scale buildings are closely linked to the promotion of
 NARRATIVE REPORT

the local economy. It is the combination of these factors that will ensure that individuals have
access to accessible, egalitarian, and safe environments.

1. Diversity of uses: Including bars, restaurants, cafés, and local commerce in residential,
office, and commercial districts draws people and makes the atmosphere safer and nicer.
External activities contribute to the safety of places as a result of the variety of uses: more
people on the streets helps to reduce crime. However, this variety must be available at all
hours of the day. Even though the areas are appealing and bustling during the day, they will
be dangerous at night. Planning public areas in a way that fosters people's cohabitation and
permanence is also a form of security investment.

2. Active facades: The connection between the ground floor of buildings, the sidewalk, and
the street adds to urban design safety and appeal. People utilize more fascinating roadways
because they are more visually appealing. Furthermore, this link has an impact on people's
perceptions of the city and how they utilize it: According to Jane Jacobs, streets and
sidewalks are the primary indicators of how public space is viewed and used.

3. Social dimension and urban vitality: The social component is influenced by public
space as an aggregate of people. Wide, accessible streets, squares, parks, walkways, bike
routes, and urban furniture encourage people to engage with the environment, make better
use of space, and boost urban life. In addition to focusing on densely populated regions, it
is critical to address the peripheries, ensuring that the population that does not reside in the
city center has access to high-quality public places.

4. Human scale: High-density, large-scale development can have a detrimental impact on

people's health. Jan Gehl discovered in his field research that individuals walk quicker while
going through empty or inactive regions, as opposed to the slower, quieter pace of walking
in livelier, more busy locations. Human-scale structures have a beneficial impact on people's
views of public places because they make them feel as though they were considered
throughout the planning process.

5. Lighting: Lighting that is both efficient and people-oriented makes it easier to use public
places at night, which improves safety. Public lighting, when built on a pedestrian and
cycling scale, offers the essential circumstances for moving more securely when there is no
natural light.

6. Stimulating the local economy: Quality public spaces help individuals not just by
providing recreational and living spaces, but they also have the ability to improve the local
economy. Walking and cycling are encouraged by the safe and beautiful environment,
allowing for simple access to local commerce.

7. Local identity: small businesses that make up the neighborhood's charm should be given
priority in public places. Large businesses (such as supermarkets or other chain
businesses) can help the economy in general, but they have minimal impact on the
neighborhood scale. Small companies and initiatives have a long-term influence on the
community and contribute to its personality and identity. In order to create a strong link
 NARRATIVE REPORT

between people and location, it is important to consider the social dynamics and cultural
specificities of the region while developing a public space.

8. Complete streets: Public spaces should be thought of in terms of Complete Streets and
"shared spaces" whenever possible. The idea of Complete Roadways refers to streets that
are intended to enable the safe circulation of all users, including walkers, bicycles, cars, and
public transportation riders. Sidewalks in excellent repair, bicycle infrastructure, street
furniture, and signs for all users are just a few of the features that make up a complete
street.

9. Green areas: In addition to improving air quality and cooling cities in the summer,
vegetation has the ability to humanize cities by enticing people to participate in outside
activities. Access to green public areas will become even more vital as cities get denser, as
urban forestation may reduce stress and improve city well-being. Furthermore, trees, plants,
and flowerbeds are important for urban drainage and biodiversity.

10. Social participation: To preserve the quality of urban public spaces or the communities
in which they live, citizens must be involved in the design, planning, and management of
these spaces. In each neighborhood and community, public places have distinct functions
and meanings. Residents' input ensures that the nature and usage of public space are
tailored to the community's specific requirements. A space will not be used or maintained if
it does not represent the needs and wants of the local community. The creation of safer,
more egalitarian public spaces relies heavily on social engagement.

Every day, the way we live in cities is reshaped by societal change and the introduction of
new regulations, technology, and alternative transportation alternatives. Cities are being
forced to consider new development patterns as a result of urbanization, densification, and
high rates of motorization. However, in the midst of continual change, the value of public
places for quality of life stays constant. They remain places of interchange, cohabitation,
and gathering. They are still necessary for urban well-being. The street is where life happens
outside the walls that enclose us (Pacheco, 2021).

SUMMARY

The role of land use planning must be regarded as an essential aspect of the national
development process that cannot be separated from the other key parts of that process,
such as social and economic planning.

Land-use policies and plans address a variety of concerns that development control
employees, particularly Building Inspectors, deal with on a daily basis while reviewing
development permit applications. Plans and policies, on the other hand, are only valuable if
they are consistently and rigorously executed and enforced across all applications. It's also
crucial to make sure that land-use concerns are properly integrated into the study of
development applications, and that this happens before the structural soundness of
proposed structures is assessed.
 NARRATIVE REPORT

While performing the development control role, it is important to be aware of any changes
that may indicate the need to alter plans, rules, or standards. This should not, however, be
done arbitrarily or by a single person acting alone in the name of exercising discretionary
powers. This leads to developer doubt and misunderstanding, as well as inconsistency and
a lack of trust in the development control process. Instead, we should follow the legislative
procedures or other transparent administrative procedures to make the required changes to
guarantee that plans and regulations are always current and relevant, that judgments are
consistent, and that developers/applicants are treated equitably. (The Importance of
Development Plans/Land Use Policy for DevelopmentControl, 2021) .

ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS: (2 -3 QUESTIONS)

1. Which factors that drove urbanization in recent history are equally relevant to
contemporary urban growth? Which ones are different? Can contemporary
developing countries 'learn' from past experiences on urban development?
How?
2. What are the factors that urban development decision makers shall consider in
creating plans and designs for a holistic community development?
3. Discuss the significance of Urban Planning in terms of Land Use and
Sustainable Development.

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 NARRATIVE REPORT

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Prepared by:
Name: ORATE, JEROME C.
Course: PhD DA
Subject: DAP 313: Seminar in Local Government and Urban Affairs
Email Add: jeromeorate@yahoo.com
CP No. +639088108819
Term: 1st Semester 2021-2022
Professor: Josephine V. Gimpaya, Ph.D.