Urban Design

Principles of Scales
 Principles of Scales
Scale and Human Vision
Scale and Circulation
Scale in Neighbouring Buildings
and Spaces
Scale and Neighbourhood Size
Scale and Parameters
Various Principles of Scales

Scale and Human Vision

Scale and Circulation
Scale in Neighbouring Buildings and Spaces
Scale and Neighbourhood Size
Scale and Parameters
Scale and Human Vision
 Scale and Human Vision
Intimate distance: 3 to 10 ft.
Normal conversation distance: 8 ft.
Can distinguish facial expressions:40 ft.
Can distinguish friends’ face: 80 ft.
Can discern body gestures: 450 ft.
Can see people up to: 4000 ft.
Scale and Circulation
Urban scale is determined by the means we
employ for movement.
All the modes of transportation help determine
the movement or circulation scale of the city or
the extent to which city is accessible to us.
The more we improve our travel vehicles, the
more distances seem to melt before us.
But the more troublesome short distances in the
city become.
Thus, its better to promote the most ancient
mode of transport for short distances in the
downtown areas.
 Scale and Circulation
Urban scale is determined by the means we employ for movement.

All the modes of transportation help determine the movement or

circulation scale of the city or the extent to which city is accessible to
us.

The more we improve our travel vehicles, the more distances seem
to melt before us.

But the more troublesome short distances in the city become.

Thus, its better to promote the most ancient mode of transport for
short distances in the downtown areas.
 Scale in Neighbouring Buildings
and Spaces
Buildings and spaces not only have to be in scale with
people but they have to be in scale with each other.

A gigantic tower building in the middle of row houses is

out of scale.

A huge plaza bordered by tiny buildings is out of scale.

But a small mosque amongst tall sky scrappers can give a

needed element of scale.

Scale is both a matter of compatibility and human

measure.
 Scale and Neighbourhood Size

The basic unit of urban design is neighbourhood (NH).

There has been a considerable debate on appropriate size of a

neighbourhood.

Long ago, for new American towns, it has been suggested that a
N.H. should consist of 300 to 500 families.

Villages (small towns) should consist of 3000 to 5000 families.

 Scale and Neighbourhood Size

The entire town, as suggested, would have an eventual

population of 125,000.

It can be stated that a N.H. is a convenient project size. It can

support small shopping centre, school, health clinic and mosque
etc.

N.H. and village can be taken as modules for urban design not
only in new towns but also in old ones, as well.
Scale and Parameters

An essential element of urban design is the

familiar object whose size we have become
accustomed to.
A building or monument, cars, trees, peoples at
distance, light poles and windows all are the
objects whose size we refer to when we judge sizes
of things near them.
These may be treated as parameters.
These are the objects whose familiar size furnish
a scale of reference near them.
 Scale and Parameters
An essential element of urban design is the familiar object
whose size we have become accustomed to.

A building or monument, cars, trees, peoples at distance, light

poles and windows all are the objects whose size we refer to
when we judge sizes of things near them.

These may be treated as parameters.

These are the objects whose familiar size furnish a scale of

reference near them.