Course Details

1. Recognize the importance of urban design in shaping of the built environment.
2. Analyze and comprehend complex and large scale urban design issues.
3. Comprehend the parameters and preconditions of urban planning regulations and recognize them as parameters (limitations and possibilities) of an urban design approach.
4. Recognize the importance of social and economic dimension of public space management and use urban design approach as means of improving the quality of urban space.
5. Identify and use multiple scales for urban design representation.
6. Develop collaborative skills in order to be able to participate in multidisciplinary teams and to cooperate with several actors associated with the built environment.
7. React critically on topical issues of the built environment and urban public space.

Introduction to the notion of Urban Space – Analysis: Comprehension of the notion of urban design, content and importance of urban planning regulations, preconditions and influences on the buildings’ form and formation of urban space. Introduction to analytical and syntactical tools of urban space. Basic parameters and methodology of urban space analysis (uses, circulation, movements, parking spaces, green network, sustainability, cultural heritage etc.). Definition of problems, dangers, opportunities and potentials of a place. Use of multiple scales for urban design representation.

Urban Design – Concept and Design methodology: Definition of a concept in urban design terms. Formation of an urban intervention with emphasis on public space and introduction of new activities on an existing urban context based on sustainable design parameters that influence design approach (social, economic, environmental). Design of urban space on a strategic level.

Public space design – Architecture of the city: Set of design parameters that will form concepts into concrete design proposals for a public space in the city. (circulation, movement, rhythm, repetition, axes, surprise, views, permeability, hard/ soft boundary, reference points, poles of attraction etc.). Development and implementation of a coherent synthesis process at multiple scales (from 1:100 to 1:50). Handling of materials and components for the urban design interventions (hard/ soft surfaces, stairs, ramps, complex structures, water, greenery, lighting, etc.). Use of appropriate methods and tools for visualization and architectural representation.

• Moughtin J. C., Urban Design: Street and Square, Architectural Press, 2003

• Schwalbach G., Urban Analysis, Birkhäuser, 2009
• Farr Douglas, Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design With Nature, Wiley, 2008
• Lang Jon, Urban Design: A typology of Procedures and Products, Elsevier, 2005
• Marshal Stephen, Cities Design and Evolution, Routledge, 2008
• Course and lecture notes

The course is studio based requiring teacher to student interaction through individual and group discussions.

A key project is running through semester and is supplemented by creativity projects and other smaller scale assignments.
Studio work is carried out and delivered by means of multiple media representations such as maps - charts, sketches, artwork, collage, three dimensional models, etc.
Short written texts and oral presentations before the class, are encouraged as complementary means of architectural expression.
Studio work is supplemented by means of lectures, conducted with the help of computer presentations and by means of specially selected films and documentaries, followed by discussion. Lecture notes and presentations are available through the web.

Visits to project site and related to project’s theme sites are conducted.
Special guest scientists and practitioners are invited for lectures related to studio’s subject.