TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

Intro to Urban
AR 451

Design and
Community Planning
An illuminating exploration of the core principles
behind urban design and community planning

by Christian Andro N. Madrogaba, uap

Faculty Member, College of Engineering and Architecture
WHAT IS URBAN DESIGN?
Urban design is a multidisciplinary
field that focuses on shaping the
physical layout, organization, and
aesthetics of cities, towns, and
communities.
It involves the strategic planning
and arrangement of buildings, public
spaces,transportation systems,
infrastructure, and landscapesto
create functional, attractive, and
sustainable urban environments.
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URBAN DESIGN ACCORDING TO SCHOLARS

1 Kevin Lynch, a prominent urban planner

"The shaping of the physical setting for life in cities; the art of making
places; design in an urban context."

2 Jane Jacobs, a renowned urbanist

and journalist
"The ballet of the good city sidewalk never repeats itself from place to
place, and in any one place is always replete with new improvisations."

3 C. M. Rapoport, a scholar in the field

Urban design is a process which deals with the design of the overall
appearance of an urban area and the design of individual sites, such as
parks, housing areas, or industrial areas.
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URBAN DESIGN = URBAN + DESIGN

DESIGN
URBAN
In the context of urban design, "design"
The term "urban" refers to areas that are
refers to the intentional and thoughtful
densely populated and characterized by
process of planning, arranging, and
various built environments, infrastructure,
shaping the physical elements within
economic activities, and social interactions.
urban environments.
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URBAN DESIGN AS PRODUCT AND PROCESS

PROCESS
PRODUCT
As a process, urban design
As a product, urban design refers to the
encompasses the dynamic and
tangible outcome of the planning,
iterative series of steps undertaken to
organization, and arrangement of
conceptualize, plan, and implement
physical elements within an urban area.
changes in the urban environment.
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7 AREAS OF AMBIGUITY
PRODUCT
1.Should urban design be focused
at particular scales or levels?
2. Should it focus only on the visual
qualities of the urban environment or,
more broadly, address the organization
and management of urban space?
3. Should it simply be about transforming
spatial arrangements, or about more
deeply seated social and cultural
relations between spaces and society?
PROCESS
4. Should urban design be the province
of Architects, planners, or landscape
architects?
5. Should it be a public or private sector
activity?
6. Should it be seen as an objective-
rational process (a science) or an
expressive-subjective process (an art)?
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7 AREAS OF AMBIGUITY
PRODUCT-PROCESS DILLEMMA
7. Should the focus of urban
design be its product (the urban
environment) or the process by
which it is produced?

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Urban Design as
Product and Process

1 Efficient Land Use 2 Functional Connectivity

Urban design optimizes the use of limited urban space, promoting Thoughtful urban design creates well-connected
density, mixed land uses, and compact development to minimize transportation networks, pedestrian-friendly streets, and
urban sprawl and reduce travel distances. efficient public transit systems, enhancing mobility and
accessibility for residents.

3 Quality of Life 4 Cultural Identity

Well-designed cities provide residents with access to parks, green Urban design respects and reflects the cultural heritage
spaces, cultural amenities, and essential services, contributing to and identity of a city, preserving historical landmarks
improved physical and mental well-being. and traditions while accommodating modern needs.

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Urban Design as
Product and Process

5 Sustainability 6 Economic Vitality

Sustainable urban design integrates eco-friendly practices, such Attractive and functional urban environments attract
as energy-efficient buildings, green roofs, renewable energy businesses, tourists, and investors, fostering economic
sources, and sustainable water management systems, reducing growth and creating job opportunities for residents.
the ecological footprint of urban areas.

7 Community Engagement
Urban design engages communities in the planning process,
empowering residents to shape their surroundings, fostering a
sense of ownership, and building social cohesion.

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INTERSECTIONS IN
URBAN DESIGN
Urban design is a multidisciplinary Its multidisciplinary nature stems
field that draws upon various from the need to consider a wide
disciplines to create well-planned, range of factors that contribute to
functional, and aesthetically the complexity of cities and
pleasing urban environments. communities.

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URBAN DESIGN VS ARCHITECTURE

1 Scale and Scope 2 Context

Urban Design: Deals with the overall Urban Design: Considers the broader context of
arrangement and organization of entire cities the city or community, incorporating social,
or communities, focusing on urban layouts, cultural, economic, and environmental factors to
infrastructure, public spaces, and connectivity. create cohesive urban environments.
Architecture: Focuses on the design and Architecture: Takes into account the specific context
construction of individual buildings, of a building's site, considering neighboring
considering their functionality, aesthetics, structures, topography, climate, and local regulations.
structural integrity, and user experience.

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URBAN DESIGN VS ARCHITECTURE

3 Scale of Influence 4 Design Elements

Urban Design: Influences the character and
functionality of entire neighborhoods, districts,
or cities, addressing the macro-level spatial
relationships.
Architecture: Impacts the immediate
surroundings and interior spaces of individual
buildings, addressing micro-level design details.
Urban Design: Involves the arrangement of
streets, plazas, parks, transportation networks,
and landmarks, focusing on the overall layout
and connectivity of the urban fabric.
Architecture: Involves the design of building
forms, facades, interior spaces, materials, and
structural elements, concentrating on the specific
aesthetics and functions of individual structures.

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URBAN DESIGN VS SITE PLANNING
1 Scale and Scope
Urban Design: Urban design deals with the larger
scale of a city, town, or community as a whole.
It focuses on the organization and aesthetics of the
entire urban environment, including the layout of
streets, buildings, open spaces, and infrastructure.
Site Planning: Site planning, on the other hand, is
concerned with a specific parcel of land or site
within the larger urban context. It involves the
detailed arrangement and design of buildings,
landscapes, and amenities on a particular piece of
property.
2 Context
Urban Design: Urban design takes into account
the broader context of the city or community,
considering historical, cultural, and social factors
to shape the overall identity and character of the
urban environment.
Site Planning: Site planning zooms in on the
immediate surroundings of a particular site,
considering elements such as topography,
neighboring properties, and local regulations to
ensure seamless integration within the existing
context.
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URBAN DESIGN VS SITE PLANNING
3 Scale of Influence
Urban Design: Decisions made in urban design
have a far-reaching impact, influencing the
configuration and functionality of neighborhoods,
districts, and even the entire city, fostering a sense
of unity and connectivity.
Site Planning: Site planning decisions have a
more localized effect, focusing on optimizing the
functionality and aesthetics of a specific area or
property without necessarily impacting the broader
urban fabric.
4 Design Elements
Urban Design: Urban design entails considering a
wide array of elements, ranging from the
layout of streets and transportation networks
to the creation of landmarks and public spaces, all
contributing to the overall cohesion and visual
identity of the urban landscape.
Site Planning: Site planning deals with the intricate
arrangement of buildings, parking facilities,
green spaces, and circulation paths on a specific
site, aiming to ensure practicality and aesthetic
appeal within the confines of that site's boundaries.
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rban Design Intersections
with Other Fields
1 Architecture
Urban design and architecture are closely linked.
Architects shape individual buildings to align with the
broader urban design vision, emphasizing the relationship
between buildings and their surrounding context.
3 Landscape Architecture
Landscape architects collaborate with urban designers
to create public spaces, parks, streetscapes, and green
areas, enhancing the visual appeal and ecological
sustainability of urban areas.
2 Urban Planning
Urban design and urban planning share a
common goal of shaping urban environments.
Planners offer insights into land use, zoning
regulations, and transportation networks, which
influence the layout and functionality of cities.
4 Environmental Science
Urban design and environmental science
collaborate to create sustainable cities,
integrating green infrastructure, renewable
energy, waste management, and environmental
impact mitigation strategies.
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Urban Design Intersections
with Other Fields
5 Transportation Planning
Transportation planners collaborate with urban designers
to design efficient transportation networks that
accommodate various modes of transit, including
pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation.
7 Economics
Economic considerations influence urban design decisions,
impacting land use patterns, development opportunities,
and the allocation of resources for public projects. This
collaboration ensures the economic vitality of urban areas.
6 Sociology and Anthropology
Social scientists contribute insights into the cultural
dynamics, social interactions, and behavioral
patterns of communities. This knowledge informs
designs that are inclusive, socially cohesive, and
responsive to community needs.
8 Public Health
Public health experts contribute to designing
walkable and accessible communities that
promote physical activity, mental well-being, and
overall health.
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Urban Design Intersections
with Other Fields

9 Cultural Studies 10 Engineering

Collaboration with cultural experts ensures that urban design Civil, structural, and transportation engineers
respects and integrates cultural heritage, traditions, and local provide technical expertise to ensure the safe and
identities, promoting a sense of place and belonging. functional implementation of urban design
projects, including infrastructure and buildings.

11 Universal Design and

Accessibility
12 Technology and Data Science

Professionals in this area collaborate with urban designers
to create environments that are accessible and usable by
people of all ages and abilities.
Incorporating technologies like Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) and data analysis
helps inform urban design decisions by providing
insights into patterns of land use, traffic flows, and
other urban dynamics.

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TRADITIONS OF URBAN THOUGHT
The Visual-Artistic Tradition
This tradition draws inspiration from
aesthetics and the visual aspects of cities.
It emphasizes the artistic and design
elements of urban spaces, focusing on
how urban environments can be visually
pleasing and evoke certain emotions.
The Social-Usage Tradition
The social-usage tradition centers on the
social interactions and behaviors that
occur within urban spaces. It emphasizes
the way people use and inhabit urban
environments, focusing on the needs,
experiences, and behaviors of residents.
The Making Places Tradition
The making places tradition emphasizes
the process of place-making and the
role of community involvement in
shaping urban spaces.
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THE VISUAL-ARTISTIC
TRADITION
Perspective: The Visual-Artistic Tradition has an
'architectural' focus on urban design,
emphasizing visual qualities.
Aesthetics: This tradition emphasizes physical
appearance over broader factors in urban places.
Public Views: It often overlooks public
perceptions of townscapes.
Critique: Criticized for limited understanding,
neglecting broader social and functional aspects.

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THE VISUAL-ARTISTIC
TRADITION
It is one of the two broad traditions of urban
design thought that branch from different ways of
appreciating design and products of the design
process.
It gives emphasis to visual form (building and
space) as aesthetic objects or displays.
It speaks in aesthetic, abstract terms and draws
on personal experience

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THE VISUAL-
ARTISTIC TRADITION
Key Proponents
Camillo Sitte (1843-1903), an Austrian architect
and urban planner who wrote City Planning
According to Artistic Principles in 1889.
Raymond Unwin (1863-1940), an English
architect and planner who wrote Town
Planning in Practice in 1909.
Kevin Lynch (1918-1984), an American urban
planner and author who wrote The Image of
the City in 1960. He introduced the concept of
legibility and the five elements of urban form:
paths, edges, districts, nodes, and landmarks

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THE SOCIAL-USAGE
TRADITION
Perspective: The Social-Usage Tradition
emphasizes human interactions in urban spaces,
shaping environments.
Aesthetics: This tradition considers perception
and place, enhancing social interactions.
Public Views: Acknowledges streets, sidewalks,
parks as vital for community interactions.
Critique: While not explicitly mentioned, critiques
could include limited focus, balance challenges.

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THE SOCIAL-USAGE
TRADITION
It considers ‘bigger picture’ issues of economic,
social and environmental value and social design.
It has a ‘functionalist’ perspective that involves
how places work and how urban designers can
make ‘better’ places.
It identifies five primary needs that people seek to
satisfy in public space: comfort, relaxation,
passive and active engagement, and discovery.

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THE SOCIAL-
USAGE TRADITION
Key Proponents
Jane Jacobs (1916-2006): American-
Canadian journalist, activist, authored "The
Death and Life of Great American Cities"
(1961). Critiqued modernist planning,
advocated mixed-use development, walkability,
human scale, and local participation.
William H. Whyte (1917-1999): American
urbanist, sociologist, wrote "The Social Life of
Small Urban Spaces" (1980).
Jan Gehl (born 1936): Danish architect,
urban design consultant, authored "Life
Between Buildings" (1971). Pioneered people-
centered urban design, emphasized well-
being, human scale, public spaces
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THE MAKING PLACES
TRADITION
Perspective: The Making Places Tradition
emphasizes community involvement, local
collaboration.
Aesthetics: Values uniqueness, reflecting local
cultures.
Public Views: Recognizes residents as co-
creators, fostering ownership.
Critique: Challenges may include coherence in
diverse inputs, functionality-cultural balance.

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THE MAKING PLACES
TRADITION
It emphasizes on processes as well as products of
urban design.
It deals with the larger scale of groups of
buildings, infrastructure, streets, and public
spaces, entire neighbourhoods and districts, and
entire cities.
It has the goal of making urban environments that
are equitable, beautiful, performative, and
sustainable.
It utilizes a framework of placemaking to depict
different levels of engagement with nature-based
solutions.

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THE MAKING
PLACES TRADITION
Key Proponents
Janette Sadik-Khan (born 1961), an American
transportation consultant and former
commissioner of the New York City
Department of Transportation. She
implemented various placemaking initiatives
that transformed the streets of New York into
more pedestrian-friendly and vibrant spaces.
Charles Landry (born 1948), a British urbanist
and author who wrote The Creative City: A Toolkit
for Urban Innovators in 2000. He introduced the
concept of the creative city, which is a place that
fosters creativity, innovation, and diversity

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 THE MAKING PLACES
TRADITION
The making places utilizes the 7 Objectives of
Urban Design as follows:
Character: a place with its own identity
Continuity and enclosure: a place where
public and private spaces are clearly
distinguished
Quality of the public realm: a place with
attractive and successful outdoor areas
Ease of movement: a place that is easy to get
to and move through
Legibility: a place that has a clear image and
is easy to understand
Adaptability: a place that can change easily
Diversity: a place with variety and choice
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