Urban Design Theory
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| ABEE3004 | Architecture and Built Environment | 3 | 10 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- ABEE3004
- School
- Architecture and Built Environment
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This module is an introduction to the current themes in urban design theory and practice. These issues will be introduced by tracing the evolution of urban design including how its historical evolution informs contemporary practice. The module will focus on the qualities of successful urban places, including streets and squares, and the creation of new public realms within cities around the world. The module will also examine the important role of the urban block and mixed-use development in the creation of vital and viable cities. New and emerging phenomena within the urban design discipline will also be analysed to set the contemporary agenda.
Target Students
Students studying BA Architectural Studies (K902), MArch Architecture and Sustainable Design (K11L), MArch Architecture Design (K11K), and BArch Architecture (K100); U6UARCST, U7PAASSD, U6UATTRE.
Classes
- One 1-hour workshop
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 11 weeks
Breakdown of hours: Tutor led 23hours; student directed 77hours.
Assessment
- 95% Coursework 1: 3000 word illustrated essay.
- 5% Coursework 2: PowerPoint presentation (1 page).
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
This module aims to introduce and analyse the visual, social, functional, perceptual and environmental dimensions of the practice of urban design. The module will introduce and examine concepts such as: the dimensions of urban design; cities for people; creating public places; the street; the square; mixed-use development; the urban block; urban design practice; vertical public realms; etc.Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will demonstrate an understanding of:
- The influences on the contemporary built environments, the design of cities, post and present societies and wider global issues
- The histories and theories of urban design
- The inter-relationship between people, buildings and the environment and an understanding of the need to relate buildings and spaces between them to human needs and scale
An ability to:
- Critically appraise and form considered judgements about the spatial, aesthetic, technical and social qualities of a design within the scope and scale of a wider environment
- Independently define and critically appraise their ideas in relation to a design and to the work of others
- Produce essays which are clear, analytical and logical covering a range of urban issues.
Conveners
- Prof Timothy Heath