CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Definition of Urban Design:

lack of a universal/ cross-cultural definition;…. each age
and culture has produced its own definition based on its own
expectations and possibilities (Robert Beckley, 1979)

1. that part of town planning or architecture that determines the

order and form of the city with special emphasis on aesthetics
(Frederick Gutheim, 1963).
2. organization of space, time, and communication/meaning (Amos
Rapoport, 1977).

Organization of space: for different purposes and according to

different rules that reflect the needs, values, and desires of the
groups or individuals
 Organization of Time: …….tempos and rhythms of human
activity …… past versus future ……or linear versus cyclic;

organization of communication: ……a way of controlling

interaction – its nature, direction, rate, e.t.c….who
communicates with who, when, where, and how…..how the
built environment and social organization are linked and
related…..social logic of space.

organization of meaning: …..communicative and symbolic

properties of space …… through signs, materials, colours,
forms, landscaping e.t.c

3. the complex inter-relationship between all the elements of the

built and unbuilt space in towns and cities (Creed & Roberts,
1998)
4. the art of making places for
people…about public realm
(SA Urban Design Charter)
……..what differentiates place from
space?

5. combination of tailored processes

and creative responses aimed at
enhancing the general appeal and
functioning of urban areas (ibid)

Urban design creates a framework

for our lives,…We feel and
experience urban design every
day….Design brings order and
relation into human
surroundings……it is the production
of cities by people for people

Thus, urban design is BOTH a means and an end-state! ……

Interdisciplinary nature of urban design
Urban Design integrates the processes and expertise of
many related disciplines including art, architecture,
landscaping, the social sciences, economics, planning,
engineering, and transport.

Notwithstanding, successful designs are actually determined

by the public at-large rather than academia!.

Below: Urban design works originating from engineering,

architectural studies, and landscape science
Urban Planning - Urban Design - Architecture Axis
The relationship is historical:

In the 1960s, planning and architecture were split

(Gosling & maitland, 1984:7)

Planning concentrated on land use patterns and

socio-economic issues (macro)

Architecture concentrated on the design of

buildings (micro)

There emerged a responsibility gap where design

of public space was concerned

Urban design came in to bridge this gap

Is There Need for Urban Design?
…….Arguments for and against Urban design
Arguments Against:
- Today the city is more shaped by economic /
entrepreneurial forces than planning and design forces.
(communications & transport technology and markets)

- Cities have in the past developed incrementally and

without master designs, with very good results; when
such designs were developed in the 1960s things went
dramatically wrong!

- The city form is never finite, but always changing.

Design tends to freeze form and structure hence prevent
the city from adapting to changing socio-economic
changes.
 Arguments For:

- There is a significant interrelationship

between form and function of a city;
thus,

- It is immoral for urban development to

be left to chance …it must be controlled through planning
and design frameworks to ensure the city works well, is people-
friendly, and has positive environmental impact

- The enterprise culture, with its laissez-

faire attitude of the 1980s and 1990s led
to more amorphous growth and
remodeling of many cities, hence the
erosion of quality of urban space
 Arguments For (cont’d):

- Many of the problems of cities are actually the

result of their inadequacy: structure and form,
their distribution of population, their land use
patterns and transport systems all of which are
interdependent.

- Economic forces must operate for rather than

against the city…their manifestation in the
physical, spatial, structural, and land use
terms must be guided into forms that enhance
the city’s quality and identity as a place for
people.
Why is Urban Design Needed?
Design can help enhance a city’s
advantages: physical needs of citizens; safety,
security and protection; an environment free of
pollution, noise, accidents, and crime; a conducive
social environment ..a sense of community; an
appropriate image and prestige; creativity and self-
expression in neighbourhoods; aesthetically
pleasantness as a place of culture and a work of art.

Design can help diminish a city’s

disadvantages: containment of size &
population; the obligation to travel; social stratification
Rationale for Urban Design
Any part of the city has a form and the
assemblage of such parts generates a unique
urban form and structure

Any part of a city is designable, and so is the

assemblage of these parts to form streets,
squares, urban fabric, munuments, skylines e.t.c

Even the incremental town forms evolve on the

basis of commonly understood and accepted
patterns…urban design offers a framework.

Today, many non-local forces are shaping the

city; thus rules and patterns need to be introduced
in the form of development and design frameworks
founded on a city’s particular history, culture,
location, e.t.c so as to safeguard its identity.
Criteria for Urban Design:
What may dictate an urban design undertaking?

Appeal (…how places look….)

Function …(how places work…);
Quality of urban areas; (ambience)
Community well-being: Vitality;
safety;
Criteria (cont’d)
Environmental stress
Behavioural support
Identity
Diversity
Legibility
Meaning/communication
Development
Perceptual engagements
Regeneration
Constraints
Role of urban design

1. Description:
character of
place
2. Imagination/Clarification
…legibility of function/form

The use of imagery/iconic

design (Sondica airport);
different materials and
fabrics for different
circulation areas, use of
pedestrian/street furniture,
and signage.
3. Negotiation: among conflicting
interests; space contestation
4. Visualization: scenarios-building;
simulation; foresight
5. Correction/ reconstruction:
defects/malfunctions; destruction (hazards: fires, earthquakes,
flooding, tsunamis, hurricanes, erosion,/landslides, glaciers e.t.c
6. Mitigation:
e.g disaster preparedness, crime prevention
7. Prescription: Show the way out
of situations- sprawl, land use conflict, pollution e.t.c
8. Prowess: celebration of civic
excellence (high-cost projects)
Objectives of Urban Design
There is often considerable overlap
between objectives and they are
mutually re-enforcing; they include:

Aesthetics: Strong Visual Impact

Development: New Investment. Employment
opportunities
Functional Efficiency
Improved Environmental conditions
Safety (ref. Safer Cities Program; CEPTED)
Guardianship and Space standards
Technical Solutions to unique problems
Cultural Identity and symbolism
Community Integration
Character: A place with its own identity
Continuity and Enclosure:
A place where public and private spaces are clearly
distinguished
Quality of the Public Realm:
A place with attractive and successful outdoor areas
Ease of Movement:
A place that is easy to get to and move through
Adaptability
A place that can change easily
Legibility
A place that has a clear image and is easy to understand
Diversity
A place with variety and choice
Levels/Scale of Urban design:
Macro: City-wide Meso: Zone/District/Fragment Micro: Object
Elements and Materials of Urban
Design
1. Space Frame: Space and its definition;
enclosure; built (+ve) versus unbuilt (-ve); skyscape;
landform
2. Elements of form: Point, Line, plane
3. Urban Functions:
Living; Working; Leisure; Mobility; Administration
4. Urban Fabric:
Texture; water, vegetation; furniture; light e.t.c
5. Environmental Factors:
precipitation; temperatures; humidity; wind; lighting
e.t.c
Meaning and Means of Urban
Design
Meaning: creation of a common world…a public realm…the
sphere of freedom and equality…pluralism!

a. Public space as a physical and formal construct

b. Public institution as a political-economic construct

Means: of creating public spatial qualities

a. Spatial and formal means: squares, streets, and buildings as

places of public domain.

b. Political-economic means: promote a Geography and structure

of public/Civic life, thus a free/democratic community, ..with
structures, limits, and controls...(paradox!)
ABILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OF URBAN
DESIGNERS
Analysis: An audit of the characteristics of a site to give a
sense of place

Collaboration: the need for urban designers to work with

others, including with local communities

Policy Formulation: required to deal with the breadth of

urban design issues and activities

Design Generation: Building, landscape and

engineering design, site planning, master planning,
framework design, illustrative design, and visioning

Implementation: attention to how plans and proposals

could be implemented requires a capacity for initiative,
innovation, creativity, negotiation, collaboration, and
management.
Typical Urban Design Problems/Issues

Area policy
New Settlements
Rehabilitation, redevelopment, and
conservation
Lines of movement
Commercial centres and central
districts
Special Areas
Large natural and man-made features
Special Systems
Definitive Principles of Urban Design

Urban design as political statement

Urban design as technique
Urban design as mediation
Urban design as private display
Urban design as public presence
Urban design as theatre
Urban design as guardian of urban
standards
Link Between Urban Design and
Site Planning
Urban design will enable the systematic
identification and definition of sites

Urban design will enable the informed and

clear identification and/or selection of wider
priorities about the site

Urban design will enable good

interpretation and use of existing features
and operational forces