Abhishek K. Venkitaraman Iyer

Assistant Professor

Faculty of Architecture, MIT

Principles of Urban DesignLECTURE 2

Contents

Elements of urban design- user type, activities, culture and cities, growth of cities, elements of successful cities

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 constitutea 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

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.

DENSITY + MIX

The intensity of development and the range of different uses (such as residential,

commercial, institutional or recreational uses).

HEIGHT + MASSING

The scale of buildings in relation to height and floor area, and how they relate to

surrounding land forms, 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.

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 neighbouring 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, colour, durability, sustainability and

treatment. It includes street furniture, paving, lighting and signage. It

contributes to human comfort, safety and enjoyment of the public domain.

Streetscape from Kalpathy,Kerala

PUBLIC REALM

The public realm 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. 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 result.

TOPOGRAPHY, LANDSCAPE AND ENVIRONMENT

The natural environment includes the topography of landforms, water courses, flora

and faunawhether natural or introduced. It may be in the form of rivers 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.

Londons cultural landscapeCities and Culture

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.

Elements of Urban Design

Buildings

Buildings are the most pronounced elements of urban design - they shape

and articulate space by forming the streetwalls of the city. Well designed

buildings and groups of buildings work together to create a sense of place.

Public Space

Great public spaces are the living room of the city - the place where people

come together to enjoy the city and each other. Public spaces make high

quality life in the city possible - they form the stage and backdrop to the

drama of life. Public spaces range from grand central plazas and squares, to

small, local neighbourhood parks.

Urban Square ?...

An urban square is an open public space

commonly found in the

heart of a city used for

community gatherings.

a forum for exchange, both social and

economic ideas

Their significance and intensity of meaning is

expressed through

harder intensively used landscaping.

They tend to be formal and urban in nature in

contrast to parks and

open space, which are

typically soft

landscaped, larger and

less intensively used.

Piazza Grande - Roman

Piazza del Campo,Siena, Italy

Classification of Urban Squares

Ceremonial

Rossio ,Lisboa,Portugal

Cathedral, Temple Traffic Circle

St.Peters Rome

court street,

shopping

Times square,new york

Social

elm court, london Trafalgar square,UK

Xinghai Square - Dalian

Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland

Pioneer Courthouse Square has been successful mostly because of its central location downtown. The

public art adds charm and helps define the space. The steps lend themselves perfectly to public

performances but also to a spur of the moment decision to sit down .

37000 m

Access &

linkages

Water body Informal seating

area

Columns creating

Boundary

Buildings as enclosure Public activities

Streets

Streets are the connections between spaces and places, as well as being

spaces themselves.

They are defined by their physical dimension and character as well

as the size, scale, and character of the buildings that line them.

Streets range from grand avenues to small, intimate pedestrian streets.

The pattern of the street network is part of what defines a city and what

makes each city unique.

Jaisalmer Paris

STREETS

ESPLANADE

alley

STREETS

alley

STREETS

alley

Roorkee

Bodh Gaya,Bihar

McLeodganj

McLeodganj

Traditional Character of Indian Streets

Transport

Transport systems connect the parts of cities and help shape them, and

enable movement throughout the city.

They include road, rail, bicycle, and pedestrian networks, and together

form the total movement system of a city. The balance of these various

transport systems is what helps define the quality and character of cities,

and makes them either friendly or hostile to pedestrians. The best cities are

the ones that elevate the experience of the pedestrian while minimizing the

dominance of the private automobile.

Landscape

The landscape is the green part of the city that weaves throughout - in the

form of urban parks, street trees, plants, flowers, and water in many forms.

The landscape helps define the character and beauty of a city and creates

soft, contrasting spaces and elements. Green spaces in cities range from

grand parks such as Central Park in New York City and the Washington DC

Mall, to small intimate pocket parks.

SUCCESSFUL CITIES ARE

vibrant,

livable urban settings that continue to adapt to changing

circumstances by incorporating

and promoting balanced natural, cultural, economic, social and

built environments

and implement related actions that value community well-being

as a whole,

to provide a higher quality of life for their citizens

1. Connectivity: facilitating efficient internal and external movement of

people and goods while minimizing detrimental environmental and

social effects;

2. Culture of Collaboration: support for respectful and cooperative

interdisciplinary processes and varied views to achieve common purpose;

3. Culture of Innovation: promotion of innovative ways of addressing

emerging local and global economic, environmental and social challenges;

4. Distinctiveness: capturing the sense of place by celebrating geographic

location in the planning and design of the city;

5. Entrepreneurial Governance: fostering creative and visionary

leadership within administrative, elected and volunteer areas;

6. Master Planning and Community Design: advocacy for a clear vision

and implementation of a high quality built environment;

7. Quality Education: creating synergies across educational delivery models

and with local and regional governments;

8. Quality of Life: recognition that a high quality of life attracts investment,

people and innovation;

9. Livability: promotion of high quality urbanism, urban spaces and places

that create attractive urban living;

10. Social Conscience: recognition that healthy cities are socially and

culturally diverse and require a supportive social network;

11. Sustainability: commitment to meaningful economic, environmental, and

social sustainability in policy and action; and 12. Vibrant Economy: an

economy that has resiliency, builds on local strengths and promotes

community wellbeing.