PLANNING 2 | AR173-1P | M1

URBAN DESIGN SIGNS AND SYMBOLS ELEMENTS OF URBAN FORM

PLANNING GRAPHIC CONVENTIONS SIGNS AND SYMBOLS

Land Use

Site Features
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Drainage

Elements of Urban Morphology

ELEMENTS OF THE URBAN FORM

Urban Structure
- The overall framework of a region, town or precinct, showing relationships
between zones of built forms, land forms, natural environments, activities
and open spaces. It encompasses broader systems including transport and
infrastructure networks.
Urban Grain
- The balance of open space to built form, and the nature and extent of
subdividing an area into smaller parcels or blocks.
- For example a ‘fine urban grain’ might constitute a network of small or
detailed streetscapes. It takes into consideration the hierarchy of street
types, the physical linkages and movement between locations, and modes
of transport.
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ELEMENTS OF THE URBAN FORM+SCALE

Density + Mix
- The intensity of development and the range of different uses (such as
residential, commercial, institutional or recreational uses).

ELEMENTS OF THE URBAN SCALE

Height + Massing
- The scale of buildings in relation to height and floor area, and how they
relate to surrounding landforms, buildings and streets.
- It also incorporates building envelope, site coverage and solar orientation.
- Height and massing create the sense of openness or enclosure, and affect
the amenity of streets, spaces and other buildings.

ELEMENTS OF THE URBAN PUBLIC REALM

Streetscape + Landscape
- The design of public spaces such as streets, open spaces and pathways,
and includes landscaping, microclimate, shading and planting.
Facade + Interface
- The relationship of buildings to the site, street and neighboring buildings
(alignment, setbacks, boundary treatment) and the architectural
expression of their facades (projections, openings, patterns and materials).
Details + Materials
- The close-up appearance of objects and surfaces and the selection of
materials in terms of detail, craftsmanship, texture, color, durability,
sustainability, and treatment.
- It includes street furniture, paving, lighting, and signage.
- It contributes to human comfort, safety, and enjoyment of the public
domain.
- Some aspects of privately owned space such as the bulk and scale of buildings,
or gardens that are visible from the public realm, can also contribute to the
overall resulting appearance.
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- includes the natural and built environment used by the general public on a
day-to-day basis such as streets, plazas, parks, and public infrastructure.

ELEMENTS OF THE URBAN MORPHOLOGY CROSS-CUTTING FORMS

Topography, Landscape and Environment
- The natural environment includes the topography of landforms, water
courses, flora and fauna - whether natural or introduced.
- It may be in the form of rivers and creeks, lakes, bushland, parks and
creeks, lakes, bushland, parks and recreational facilities, streetscapes or
private gardens, and is often referred to as ‘green infrastructure’.
Social + Economic Fabric
- The non-physical aspects of the urban form which include social factors
(culture, participation, health and well-being) as well as the productive
capacity and economic prosperity of a community. It incorporates aspects
such as demographics and life stages, social interaction and support
networks.
Scale
- The size, bulk and perception of a buildings and spaces.
- Bulk refers to the height, width and depth of a building in relation to other
surrounding buildings, the street, setbacks and surrounding open space.
For example, a large building set amongst other smaller buildings may
seem ‘out of scale’.
Urban Form
- The arrangement of a built up area. This arrangement is made up of many
components including how close buildings and uses are together; what
uses are located where; and how much of the natural environment is a
part of the built-up area.
Urban Pattern
- The pattern of the city is the way how different functions and elements of
the settlement form are distributed and mixed together spatially. It can be
measured by the size of its grain.
Urban texture
- seen in the type of urban grain.
Urban Grain
- The balance of open space to built form, and the nature and extent of
subdividing an area into smaller parcels or blocks.
- Fine Urban Grain: might constitute a network of small or detailed
streetscapes.
- Course Urban Grain: uneven sizing and distribution of space to built form
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