URBAN ANALYSIS

URBAN ANALYSISURBAN ANALYSIS This refers to a process of rationalizing urban This refers to a process of rationalizing urban

planning and design by investigating the form of planning and design by investigating the form of urban areas, theories of city structure, and location urban areas, theories of city structure, and location as factors in urban development. as factors in urban development.

It entails investigation of basic urban frameworks, It entails investigation of basic urban frameworks, and concepts and tools for analysing and and concepts and tools for analysing and understanding urban problems. understanding urban problems.

The scope of problems investigated may include: The scope of problems investigated may include: economics (macro and micro) and urban sociology.economics (macro and micro) and urban sociology.

Urban analysis may apply the following Urban analysis may apply the following methods/data sourcesmethods/data sources: : - land use and density mapping; land use and density mapping; - data gathering survey methods; data gathering survey methods; - geographic information systems; geographic information systems; - journal/library sources.journal/library sources.

Urban analysis is interested in a Urban analysis is interested in a complex and multi-complex and multi-layered understanding of the city…layered understanding of the city…

by building a by building a conceptual frameworkconceptual framework that that acknowledges that multiplicity through different acknowledges that multiplicity through different pathways to sustainable development. These pathways to sustainable development. These pathways often co-exist and function concurrentlypathways often co-exist and function concurrently within a single city. within a single city.

Key Issues and Responses in Key Issues and Responses in Urban AnalysisUrban Analysis

Urban Patterns/trends and their implicationsUrban Patterns/trends and their implications Zoning and the need for proximityZoning and the need for proximity Mobility/migrationMobility/migration Compaction and the need for variety/richness of a placeCompaction and the need for variety/richness of a place Suburbanization and the issue of urban sprawlSuburbanization and the issue of urban sprawl

Problems triggered by urban formsProblems triggered by urban forms Unsustainable levels of resource use Unsustainable levels of resource use Inequitable lifestylesInequitable lifestyles Ecological footprints: the catchment/amount of land Ecological footprints: the catchment/amount of land

necessarily affected to enable everyday life of a city; the necessarily affected to enable everyday life of a city; the nature & extent of effects of cities on land/environment.nature & extent of effects of cities on land/environment.

The concept of The concept of “Environmental Space”“Environmental Space”

– – a measure of the a measure of the share of resources share of resources consumed by a cityconsumed by a city in a region or a in a region or a country……country……

- a basis of a basis of calculating allowances for calculating allowances for consumption and emissionsconsumption and emissions

(ref. Global environmental space calculation)(ref. Global environmental space calculation)

The key The key responsesresponses : :

1. Shift from singular to multiple models of a 1. Shift from singular to multiple models of a sustainable citysustainable city

Questions the over-reliance and emphasis on compact city model Questions the over-reliance and emphasis on compact city model as a universal approach to achieving sustainability.as a universal approach to achieving sustainability.

Could constrain and blind efforts by researchers and policy-makers Could constrain and blind efforts by researchers and policy-makers in searching sustainable urban futures.in searching sustainable urban futures.

Variety in choice of urban form based on local Variety in choice of urban form based on local situations….”MultipliCity”: a variety of approaches considered to situations….”MultipliCity”: a variety of approaches considered to suit particular settlement types….of different scales and locations.suit particular settlement types….of different scales and locations.

Consider alternative scenarios and incremental change as opposed Consider alternative scenarios and incremental change as opposed to New Towns approach/wholesome change….consider constraints to New Towns approach/wholesome change….consider constraints of space, cost, and acceptability.of space, cost, and acceptability.

(ref. to pros and cons of the compact city model) (ref. to pros and cons of the compact city model)

2.2. Rejection of simplistic use of models, instead Rejection of simplistic use of models, instead develop competing pathways to sustainable citiesdevelop competing pathways to sustainable cities

Models not to be used as straightforward deterministic blue-printsModels not to be used as straightforward deterministic blue-prints to be translated into reality through physical planning and design to be translated into reality through physical planning and design policies in a series of linear stagespolicies in a series of linear stages

Models to be used in a much softer, more flexible fashionModels to be used in a much softer, more flexible fashion: : conceptual not specific; to sensitize on different visions to a conceptual not specific; to sensitize on different visions to a sustainable citysustainable city

Models to consider views and strategies of different urban actorsModels to consider views and strategies of different urban actors with competing social, political, and commercial interests. with competing social, political, and commercial interests.

Actors views and strategies may resonate or dissonateActors views and strategies may resonate or dissonate with the with the visions of particular models of developmentvisions of particular models of development

Need to understand how Need to understand how the changing social organization of urban the changing social organization of urban developmentdevelopment may promote particular pathways towards distinct may promote particular pathways towards distinct urban futures.urban futures.

3. Co-existence of diverse sustainable urban futures 3. Co-existence of diverse sustainable urban futures within a single citywithin a single city

charting the multiplicity of pathwayscharting the multiplicity of pathways towards different towards different sustainable urban futuressustainable urban futures

Examination of tensions and similaritiesExamination of tensions and similarities between between pathways: different social assumptions and biasespathways: different social assumptions and biases

Broadening the range of determining factorsBroadening the range of determining factors of of sustainability of urban form: travel & fuel consumption; sustainability of urban form: travel & fuel consumption; effects on ecology, wildlife, and natural resources; effects on ecology, wildlife, and natural resources; effects on social conditions and well-being e.t.ceffects on social conditions and well-being e.t.c

Adoption of inclusive approachesAdoption of inclusive approaches to avoid “islands” of to avoid “islands” of success stories amid “seas” of failures. success stories amid “seas” of failures.

4. Strengthening morphological studies4. Strengthening morphological studies

Address size, mix of uses, block structures Address size, mix of uses, block structures e.t.ce.t.c

Explore different scales of urban form – Explore different scales of urban form – from the dwelling to neighbourhood, zone, from the dwelling to neighbourhood, zone, district, city, and regiondistrict, city, and region

Determine the key tangible and practical Determine the key tangible and practical impacts of theoretical models…achievable impacts of theoretical models…achievable in real terms.in real terms.

Urban analysis will herein be addressed Urban analysis will herein be addressed under four components:under four components:

Urban form - Structure AnalysisUrban form - Structure AnalysisCharacter AnalysisCharacter AnalysisSpatial AnalysisSpatial AnalysisSocio-spatial analysisSocio-spatial analysis

Urban Form – Structure AnalysisUrban Form – Structure Analysis

There are various classifications on this There are various classifications on this subject but generally all taxonomies touch subject but generally all taxonomies touch on key issues: on key issues:

urban space efficiency; urban space efficiency; typologies of built form; typologies of built form; transport and infrastructure efficiency; transport and infrastructure efficiency; environmental efficiency; environmental efficiency; socio-economic and cultural considerations.socio-economic and cultural considerations.

Human Needs-Based criteria for Sustainable Human Needs-Based criteria for Sustainable Urban FormUrban Form

NeedNeed Defining characteristicsDefining characteristics

11 Provision Provision for all for all physical physical needsneeds

Place to live and work; reasonable Place to live and work; reasonable income; education and training; income; education and training; training (mobility) and communication; training (mobility) and communication; access to services and facilitiesaccess to services and facilities

Human Needs-Based criteria for Sustainable Human Needs-Based criteria for Sustainable Urban FormUrban Form NeedNeed Defining characteristicsDefining characteristics

22 Safety, security Safety, security and protectionand protection

Visually and functionally Visually and functionally ordered and controlled ordered and controlled environment; a place environment; a place free of pollution and free of pollution and noise; a place free of noise; a place free of accidents and crimeaccidents and crime



33 A conducive A conducive social social environmentenvironment

Place where people Place where people have their roots and have their roots and children have friends; children have friends; sense of community sense of community and belongingand belonging



44 Good image, Good image, reputation and reputation and prestigeprestige

A place with a Sense of A place with a Sense of confidence and confidence and strength; a place with strength; a place with status and dignity; status and dignity; opportunities for opportunities for individuals to shape individuals to shape their personal spacetheir personal space



55 A chance to be A chance to be creativecreative

Opportunities for Opportunities for communities to shape communities to shape their own their own neighbourhoodsneighbourhoods



66 Aesthetically Aesthetically pleasing pleasing environmentenvironment

A place that is well A place that is well designed (aesthetically designed (aesthetically pleasing); a place that is pleasing); a place that is physically imageable; a physically imageable; a city that is a place of city that is a place of culture and work of artculture and work of art

Various models of urban form:Various models of urban form:

This looks at the This looks at the alternative shapes and alternative shapes and structures of citiesstructures of cities that could guide desired that could guide desired (sustainable) development. Analysis of urban (sustainable) development. Analysis of urban form can broadly be divided into form can broadly be divided into macromacro and and micromicro scales. scales.

Macro-Urban Forms:Macro-Urban Forms: The emphasis has mainly been on functional The emphasis has mainly been on functional

qualities that depend on overall form and qualities that depend on overall form and development pattern of the city; development pattern of the city;

Macro-urban forms (cont’d)Macro-urban forms (cont’d) They will address at a They will address at a larger scale:larger scale:

different typologies of housing forms;different typologies of housing forms; good environmental conditions;good environmental conditions; access to open spaces for recreation and other functions; access to open spaces for recreation and other functions; adaptability to changing needs and socio-economic conditions;adaptability to changing needs and socio-economic conditions; access to country-side.access to country-side.

To classify city forms on the above accounts will require To classify city forms on the above accounts will require accurate data on:accurate data on:

overall densitiesoverall densities total area requiredtotal area required minimum and maximum distances, e.t.cminimum and maximum distances, e.t.c

The data is generated using different theoretical city The data is generated using different theoretical city models e.g input-output model. Evaluation of models is models e.g input-output model. Evaluation of models is done based on criteria, standards, and performance done based on criteria, standards, and performance values.values.

The key macro-urban forms :The key macro-urban forms :

Dispersed City:Dispersed City: portrays continued low-density suburban portrays continued low-density suburban development of population, housing, and jobs; infrastructure development of population, housing, and jobs; infrastructure investment dominated by road development. Encourages urban investment dominated by road development. Encourages urban sprawl and loss of prime agricultural and countryside land.sprawl and loss of prime agricultural and countryside land.

Compact City:Compact City: portrays increased population and density of portrays increased population and density of an inner group of suburbs, with associated investment in an inner group of suburbs, with associated investment in public transportpublic transport

Edge City:Edge City: portrays increased population, housing densities, portrays increased population, housing densities, and employment at selected nodes within the city; increased and employment at selected nodes within the city; increased investment in orbital freeways linking the edge cities.investment in orbital freeways linking the edge cities.

Corridor City:Corridor City: focuses growth along linear corridord emanating focuses growth along linear corridord emanating from the central business district (CBD), supported by upgraded from the central business district (CBD), supported by upgraded public transport infrastructurepublic transport infrastructure

Fringe City:Fringe City: arises from additional growth predominantly on the arises from additional growth predominantly on the fringe of the city.fringe of the city.

The above macro-forms translate into various identifiable The above macro-forms translate into various identifiable geometries; these include:geometries; these include:

The core city/urban coreThe core city/urban core The Star city/radial cityThe Star city/radial city The satellite city/Stellar patternThe satellite city/Stellar pattern the Urban galaxythe Urban galaxy the Linear Citythe Linear City the Polycentric Citythe Polycentric City (ref.(ref. BUR 20 BUR 202 notes for definitions, merits and demerits of each of the above)2 notes for definitions, merits and demerits of each of the above)

Micro-urban forms:Micro-urban forms: These are based on These are based on interrelationship of people, interrelationship of people,

transport and amenitiestransport and amenities; they address the ; they address the degree of user-friendliness in terms of mobility degree of user-friendliness in terms of mobility and access to services and facilities within and access to services and facilities within walking and cycling distance and by public walking and cycling distance and by public transport. transport.

Micro-urban forms cover a number of component Micro-urban forms cover a number of component areas:areas: Various neighbourhood types, including digitalVarious neighbourhood types, including digital

Sustainable neighbourhoods, as envisioned in the Sustainable neighbourhoods, as envisioned in the Urban Villages Movement, seek to rediscover the Urban Villages Movement, seek to rediscover the balance between housing growth with the balance between housing growth with the development of a strong and broad-based local development of a strong and broad-based local economy.economy. The main features include: The main features include:

The main features of sustainable neighborhoods The main features of sustainable neighborhoods include:include:

A vibrant mix of usesA vibrant mix of uses: working areas; higher : working areas; higher density housing; predominantly residential areasdensity housing; predominantly residential areas

A hierarchy of open spacesA hierarchy of open spaces: neighbourhood : neighbourhood central square; pocket play parks; toddlers’ central square; pocket play parks; toddlers’ greens; riparian/canal corridorsgreens; riparian/canal corridors

Integrated transport systemIntegrated transport system: main : main bus/tram/light rail route; local bus route; bus/tram/light rail route; local bus route; neighbourhood street; local distributors; access neighbourhood street; local distributors; access roadsroads

Local facilitiesLocal facilities: shops; primary schools; places : shops; primary schools; places of worship; community facilitiesof worship; community facilities

Various Various types of neighbourhoodstypes of neighbourhoods include: include:

Inner urban neighbourhoods:Inner urban neighbourhoods: older suburbs with older older suburbs with older housing stock, mostly done by local authoritieshousing stock, mostly done by local authorities

Modern Suburbs:Modern Suburbs: usually of mixed high- and low- rise usually of mixed high- and low- rise development mostly undertaken by private development mostly undertaken by private developers/building societies or housing authorities e.g developers/building societies or housing authorities e.g NHC. NHC.

Urban Extensions:Urban Extensions: new neighbourhood areas currently new neighbourhood areas currently planned on the edges of existing built-up areas.planned on the edges of existing built-up areas.

Brownfield Sites:Brownfield Sites: Large sites of at least 20hectares in a Large sites of at least 20hectares in a single ownership where the building structures have single ownership where the building structures have been identified for clearing to pave way for new been identified for clearing to pave way for new neighbourhood development. Mostly where the original neighbourhood development. Mostly where the original use has ceased e.g disused railway yards.use has ceased e.g disused railway yards.

Digital villagesDigital villages address the needs of the society while address the needs of the society while taking advantage of advancement in Information and taking advantage of advancement in Information and communication technologies (ICT)communication technologies (ICT)

Neighbourhood Structure studiesNeighbourhood Structure studies often address the often address the following:following:

Neighbourhood unit structure – overall, generalisation of key Neighbourhood unit structure – overall, generalisation of key featuresfeatures

Neighbourhood pattern e.g transit system; home-work Neighbourhood pattern e.g transit system; home-work distributiondistribution

Neighbourhood Elements:Neighbourhood Elements: Street pattern typesStreet pattern types Block typesBlock types Infrastructure types: lot scale; block scale; neighbourhood scaleInfrastructure types: lot scale; block scale; neighbourhood scale Frontage typesFrontage types Building typesBuilding types

TransectsTransects

A transect is a A transect is a system of classification deploying system of classification deploying the rural-to-urban continuumthe rural-to-urban continuum to arrange in useful to arrange in useful order the typical elements of urbanism. order the typical elements of urbanism.

The elements may broadly be classified The elements may broadly be classified hierarchically as falling under:hierarchically as falling under: Urban core; urban centre; general urban; suburban; Urban core; urban centre; general urban; suburban;

rural reserve; and rural preserverural reserve; and rural preserve..

Clusters:Clusters: These are agglomerations of These are agglomerations of neighbourhoods integrated by shared infrastructure neighbourhoods integrated by shared infrastructure and amenities e.g public transport system; together and amenities e.g public transport system; together they could form a regional urban centre. Cluster they could form a regional urban centre. Cluster model favours high density areas.model favours high density areas.

Townscape and city imageTownscape and city image

Townscape refers to the Townscape refers to the collective view of the relationship collective view of the relationship of the elements that create the town environmentof the elements that create the town environment: : buildings, trees, cars, water, traffic, squares, buildings, trees, cars, water, traffic, squares, advertisement and signage e.t.c…advertisement and signage e.t.c…

it is about it is about optics,optics, about about placesplaces, and about , and about contentcontent and and their weaving to create the overall town image. their weaving to create the overall town image. Townscape is about underlying visual relationships that Townscape is about underlying visual relationships that evoke a broad range of human response.evoke a broad range of human response.

Image of the city is the Image of the city is the mental picture a person mental picture a person constructs of the parts of a town based on physical constructs of the parts of a town based on physical relationship between those partsrelationship between those parts….it a collective picture ….it a collective picture of what people extract from the physical reality of the of what people extract from the physical reality of the town. …town. …expressed in form of an “impression map” or “image map”. expressed in form of an “impression map” or “image map”. Use is made of basic elements as conceptualised by Kevin Lynch: Use is made of basic elements as conceptualised by Kevin Lynch: path, edge, node, district, landmark path, edge, node, district, landmark (ref. BUR 202 notes)(ref. BUR 202 notes)

Performance evaluation criteria for urban Performance evaluation criteria for urban

form & structureform & structure Degree of containment of developmentDegree of containment of development Population density relative to land neededPopulation density relative to land needed Viability of public transportViability of public transport Dispersal of vehicular trafficDispersal of vehicular traffic Viability of mixed usesViability of mixed uses Access to facilities and servicesAccess to facilities and services Access to green open spacesAccess to green open spaces Environmental conditions 9noise, pollution, congestion)Environmental conditions 9noise, pollution, congestion) Potential for local autonomyPotential for local autonomy Potential for self sufficiencyPotential for self sufficiency Degree of adaptabilityDegree of adaptability Imageability of the city (physical entity) as a wholeImageability of the city (physical entity) as a whole Imageability of parts of the city (neighbourhoods, districts, Imageability of parts of the city (neighbourhoods, districts,

towns)towns) Sense of place and centralitySense of place and centrality

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URBAN ANALYSIS