elements of urban design

Elements of urban design

Aakansha1216512101Semester 7

What is urban design?• Urban design is the process of designing and shaping cities, towns and

villages.• In contrast to architecture, which focuses on the design of individual

buildings, urban design deals with the larger scale of groups of buildings, streets and public spaces, whole neighbourhoods and districts, and entire cities, with the goal of making urban areas functional, attractive, and sustainable.

• Urban design is concerned with the arrangement, appearance and function of our suburbs, towns and cities. It is both a process and an outcome of creating localities in which people live, engage with each other, and engage with the physical place around them.

• Urban design involves many different disciplines including planning, development, architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, economics, law and finance, among others.

• Urban design operates at many scales, from the macro scale of the urban structure (planning, zoning, transport and infrastructure networks) to the micro scale of street furniture and lighting. When fully integrated into policy and planning systems, urban design can be used to inform land use planning, infrastructure, built form and even the socio-demographic mix of a place.

REFERENCE

•https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_design

•http://www.urbandesign.org.au/whatis/index.aspx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_design



http://www.urbandesign.org.au/whatis/index.aspx



Line of sight from national level to street level

REFERENCE

•http://www.urbandesign.org.au/introduction/index.aspx

Urban design occurs across all parts of a city, from the inner city to the suburbs and outer metropolitan fringe. Urban design is relevant to developments, whatever their nature and size. City-wide transport and infrastructure networks, urban infill projects, regional towns, new suburban developments, shopping malls, streets, office blocks, university campuses and hospitals are all the result of urban design.





ELEMENTS OF URBAN FORM

1. URBAN STRUCTURE2. URBAN GRAIN3. DENSITY + MIX4. HEIGHT + MASSING5. STREETSCAPE + LANDSCAPE6. FAÇADE + INTERFACE7. DETAILS + MATERIALS8. PUBLIC REALM9. TOPOGRAPHY, LANDSCAPE &

ENVIRONMENT10. SOCIAL & ECONOMIC FABRIC11. SCALE12. URBAN FORM

REFERENCE






This diagram shows the approximate hierarchical relationship between the elements of urban design, followed by a brief definition of each of the elements.

REFERENCE






• 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.

• 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 constitute a 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.

• 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.

• PUBLIC REALM Much of urban design is concerned with the design and management of publicly used space (also referred to as the public realm or public domain) and the way this is experienced and used.

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.

At times, there is a blurring of public and private realms, particularly where privately owned space is publicly used.

• TOPOGRAPHY, LANDSCAPE AND ENVIRONMENT The natural environment includes the topography of landforms, water courses, flora and fauna—whether natural or introduced. It may be in the form of rivers and creeks, lakes, bush land, 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.

• 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.

To create productive, sustainable and liveable places for people through leadership and the integration of design excellence

REFERENCE

•http://www.urbandesign.org.au/protocolframework/aims.aspx

http://www.urbandesign.org.au/protocolframework/aims.aspx

BASIC ELEMENTS OF URBAN DESIGN:

1. Signage2. Lighting3. Parking4. Landscaping5. Service areas6. Fencing7. Building materials (colour,

texture)8. Building articulation9. Transportation10. Public areas

Signage• Environmental graphic communications whose functions include direc

tion, identification, information or orientation, regulation, warning, or restriction.

• Symbols or words whose function it is to provide directions, identification, information, orientation, warnings, regulations, or restrictions.

• Signage include direction signs, signs of locality, street names and numbering, information signs, etc.

• All types of signs should be visible, clear, simple, easy to read and understand, and properly lit at night.

• In general, signs should not be placed behind glass because of possible reflection.

• Signage placed on the pedestrian path of travel are considered obstructions; thus, they should be detectable.

• All directional and informational signage must be uniform to provide a unique character in a particular precinct.

• Signs must not block the view of or the view from adjacent buildings and must not be excessive in size and number.

• Traffic signs and signals must be carefully placed in a way that they do not cause or contribute to chaos and clutter.

REFERENCE

•http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/signage

•http://www.gtkp.com/assets/uploads/20091129-215719-7868-Streetscape_Design_Guidelines%20SA.pdf


http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/signage



http://www.gtkp.com/assets/uploads/20091129-215719-7868-Streetscape_Design_Guidelines%20SA.pdf





In signage, shapes and colours can mean a lotA red circle with a slash is a REGULATORY sign communicating the do not's: enter, turn, U-turn, pedestrians, or parking.

The pentagon shape with the point to the top is a WARNING for us to watch for school children.

Green GUIDE signs direct travellers to the right exit to cities, airports, park-and-ride stations, and other destinations.

Blue rectangle or square SERVICE signs are a welcome sight for travellers who need a break from the road.

CONSTRUCTION signs are orange diamonds specifically used only to WARN drivers about construction and work zone activity

Brown RECREATION signs direct us to areas of public recreation and cultural interest.

REFERENCE

•http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/encyclopedia/en/article/355/


http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/encyclopedia/en/article/355/



Lighting • Lighting is an important element in Urban Design. When

considering a lighting design, one must take into account the type of light needed for the specific purpose of the site.

• Lighting of the street system, including adjacent sidewalks, walkways and bike lanes, increases security and pedestrian safety and comfort.

• All pedestrian areas must be lit at night. • Lighting should also be used decoratively to highlight landscaping

elements and important buildings. • Appropriate energy-efficient lighting technologies should be

investigated and be applied. • The lighting of public urban spaces must not cause or contribute

to light pollution.

REFERENCE








Parking LAYOUT• The layout of parking areas must

allow for a variety of uses for times during which there is no significant demand for parking space (e.g. on weekends or in the evening).

• On occasion, parking areas may be used for flea markets, for recreation purposes, for gatherings, etc.

• Parking areas must be intersected by sufficiently wide walkways (minimum of 1,3m wide) that are easily identifiable as walkways and allow comfortable pedestrian movement.

• These walkways must be protected from the intrusion of vehicles (including 4x4 vehicles) by means of vertical kerbs or bollards.

REFERENCE








Parking LANDSCAPING• Trees, preferably evergreen, must

be planted along all streets where provision is made for parallel, diagonal or perpendicular parking in order to provide shade for the parked vehicles and to soften the visual impact of the parked vehicles.

• Ten percent of a parking area must be landscaped. The standard of one tree for every four parking bays must be applied

REFERENCE








Landscaping

• All boulevards must be lined with at least a single row of trees on each side to form an avenue.

• Large paved areas in civic squares must be avoided, unless they are functionally or aesthetically justifiable as part of the design of the space.

Landscaping

• Trees must be planted abundantly to provide shade for vendors and buyers. Even if shade is provided by means of canopies or other types of shelters, trees are still needed to soften the visual impact of the structures.

• A seating facility can be designed to encircle a tree. Planters can also be designed to accommodate seating.

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Landscaping • A seating facility can be designed

to encircle a tree. Planters can also be designed to accommodate seating.

• Central parts of bigger traffic circles must be landscaped, unless they are designed as civic squares, markets or other types of squares.

• Through appropriate landscape design, trees and other plants must be used along roads through residential and other sensitive areas to act as a buffer against noise

• Trees must be planted in suitable locations in and around bus stations and taxi ranks in order to soften the potentially harsh visual impact of the structures.

REFERENCE








Service Areas

• The fixtures/utility zone is located directly adjacent to the street and provides a buffer between street traffic and the pedestrian travel zone. It also offers a location for lights, poles, and signs outside the pedestrian travel way.

• Service areas should be oriented towards the rear of the building to minimize visual eyesores.

• Minimum typical dimension for this zone: typically 2.5 feet; preferred minimum, 3.0 feet.

• When possible, consolidate or congregate utilities, street furniture, etc., to minimize pedestrian obstacles and improve visual appearance.

Electrical box

Fencing • Screening provides a visual buffer between pedestrian

and vehicular spaces and a continuation of the street wall. Delineation between the two can also improve public safety through separation of public areas from parking and circulation areas, as well as grade changes.

• Fences and railings should be a minimum of 30 inches and a maximum of 42 inches in height. Fencing and railing shall be a minimum of 70 percent open.

• Solid walls shall be a minimum of 18 inches and a maximum of 32 inches in height.

• Hedges shall be no less that 80 percent open in the winter months and no more than 32 inches in height.

• The buffer area should be a minimum of 5 feet in width to provide adequate space for landscaping and a railing or wall.

• Fences, railings, and walls shall be constructed of metal, brick, or stone. Plastic and wood fences are discouraged.

REFERENCE

•http://www.wyopass.org/Documents/Upload/File/Dowtown_Street_Scape_Handbook_Cheyenne.pdf


http://www.wyopass.org/Documents/Upload/File/Dowtown_Street_Scape_Handbook_Cheyenne.pdf





Building Material• Details and materials refer to the close up appearance of objects and surfaces and selection of

materials in terms of detail, craftsmanship, texture, colour, durability, sustainability and treatment. • It contributes to human comfort, safety and enjoyment of the public and private realm.• The Design must reflect best practise and ensure minimal maintenance, durability, longevity of

materials and finishes and a sustained appearance which is critical for a positive visitor interaction.

Building MaterialREFERENCE

•http://insw.com/media/23631/130318_urban-design-public-realm-guidelines_lowres.pdf


http://insw.com/media/23631/130318_urban-design-public-realm-guidelines_lowres.pdf





Building Articulation• How building surfaces come together to define

form is often described as "articulation." • The treatment of edges, corners, surface

articulation of windows (horizontal, vertical, static field), and the visual weight of a building all contribute to the articulation of the form.

• In architecture, articulation means to delineate spaces so different functions are clear and architecture is meaningful.

REFERENCE

•https://www.wbdg.org/resources/form.php

•http://knorrarchitecture.blogspot.in/2010/03/articulation.html


https://www.wbdg.org/resources/form.php

https://www.wbdg.org/resources/form.php




Building Articulation• Along the vertical face of a structure, and on all

building stories, such elements like varying roof lines, offsets, balconies, projections (e.g., overhangs, porches, or similar features), recessed or covered entrances, window reveals, or similar elements that break up large expanses of uninterrupted building surfaces (blank walls) shall occur at a minimum interval of 30 feet, and each floor shall contain at least 2 elements.

1. Recess (e.g., deck, patio, courtyard, entrance or similar feature) that has a minimum depth of 4 feet;

2. Extension (e.g., floor area, deck, patio, entrance, overhang, or similar feature) that projects a minimum of 2 feet and runs horizontally for a minimum length of 4 feet; and/or

3. Offsets or breaks in roof elevation of 2 feet or greater in height;

REFERENCE

•http://qcode.us/codes/molalla/view.php?topic=17-17_08-17_08_090


http://qcode.us/codes/molalla/view.php?topic=17-17_08-17_08_090



Building Articulation Articulate building form through variation in

materials, colour and/or texture. • Avoid large expanses of a single material on

walls, roofs, or paving areas.• Enhance a change in wall plane through colour

or material variation.• Use changes in colour value or shade to create

harmonious variation.• Use native and natural materials that blend with

the natural context.• Use materials that vary in texture.• Carry each material to a logical point of

termination—a change in wall plane, the point where the structure meets natural grade, or the intersection of significant architectural features—or, if there is no logical point of termination, apply it to the entire wall plane or architectural element.

REFERENCE

•http://www.lagunabeachcity.net/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=7025

Transportation • When planning a new development

one should make transportation a foremost concern.

• You should incorporate into your development a sidewalk system with walkways with large enough surface area to allow at least two people to walk side by side.

• Attention should also be given to cyclists.

• You should provide an adequate number of bicycle parking spaces as well as bicycle racks which are in plain sight and easily accessible to all.

• Public transportation decreases the number of vehicles on the road, thus reducing traffic and emissions, as well as providing those without vehicles a means to travel, shop and go to work.

REFERENCE

•http://brgov.com/dept/planning/design/pdf/urbandesignhandbook.pdf

•http://insw.com/media/23631/130318_urban-design-public-realm-guidelines_lowres.pdf

Thank YouAakansha