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URBAN DESIGN – 18ARC75
MODULE – 1
Introduction to Urban design
PREPARED BY ,
Ar. BHUVANESH
Assistant Professor
ANRVSA
Module 1
• Behavioral /Perceptual approach: City as visual experience– walking, observing,
documenting/recording and interpreting city/ and its elements –such as
neighborhood, street, block, building, architectural elements, green spaces,
heterogeneous spaces (inclusive of different parts of the city) etc
• Sub module: Theories works of Gordon Cullen, Kevin Lynch. Examples: Organic and
Planned development as highlighted through Old market roads (Chor Bazaar, Old
Delhi, etc) and Newer settlements (Newer settlements, shopping streets, etc).
• What is Urban Design ?
• Urban design in architecture refers to the process of shaping and organizing the
physical and social aspects of cities and towns to create functional, aesthetic, and
sustainable urban environments.
• It involves the arrangement and design of buildings, public spaces, transportation
systems, infrastructure, and landscapes to promote a high quality of life for residents
and visitors alike.
• Importance of Urban Design :
• The field of urban design is important because it strengthens in the planning and
development of livable and workable surroundings. Urban designers are hired by
governments and commercial businesses to improve public spaces such as homes and
community centers.
• Urban design does have the potential to significantly improve the stature and value of
space, so boosting the local economy, attracting tourists, and improving the quality of
life for residents. Additionally, urban designers are significant because they encourage
sustainability through ecologically sensitive building and technology.
• What is the Significance of Urban Design ?
• Urban design can influence the economic success and socio-economic composition of
a locality—whether it encourages local businesses and entrepreneurship; whether it
attracts people to live there; whether the costs of housing and travel are affordable;
and whether access to job opportunities, facilities and services are equitable.
• Urban design determines the physical scale, space and ambience of a place and
establishes the built and natural forms within which individual buildings and
infrastructure are sited. As such, it affects the balance between natural ecosystems
and built environments, and their sustainability outcomes.
• Urban design can influence health and the social and cultural impacts of a locality:
how people interact with each other, how they move around, and how they use a
place.
• Although urban design is often delivered as a specific ‘project’, it is in fact a long-term
process that continues to evolve over time. It is this layering of building and
infrastructure types, natural ecosystems, communities and cultures that gives places
their unique characteristics and identities.
• Elements of Urban Design :
• Urban Structure :
• The arrangement of land use in urban areas, or how a city’s land use is laid out, is
known as urban structure. Several theories have been developed by urban planners,
economists, and geographers to describe where different sorts of individuals and
organizations tend to exist within the urban setting.
• 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.
• Urban 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 neighboring 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, color, durability, sustainability and treatment. It
includes street furniture, paving, lighting and signage. It contributes to human comfort,
safety and enjoyment of the public domain.
• Behavioural / Perceptual approach :
• City as Visual Experience:
• Walking and Observing: The process begins by physically exploring the city on foot.
Walking allows for a more intimate engagement with the urban environment
compared to other modes of transportation. This approach encourages slowing down
and paying attention to details that might go unnoticed when moving at a faster pace.
• Behavioural / Perceptual approach :
• Documenting and Recording: As you walk through the city, you should document your
observations through various means, such as photography, sketching, note-taking, and
even audio recordings. This documentation captures the visual and sensory elements
of the city as you experience it in real-time..
• Behavioural / Perceptual approach :
• Interpreting City Elements: As you walk and document, pay attention to different city
elements:
• Neighborhoods: Observe the unique characteristics of each neighborhood—its
architecture, vibe, demographics, and cultural influences.
• Streets and Blocks: Note the layout, width, materials, and activities on different
streets and blocks. Consider how they contribute to the overall urban experience.
• Buildings and Architectural Elements: Study the architectural styles, materials,
facades, and ornamentation of buildings. Think about how these elements reflect
historical periods and cultural values.
• Buildings and
• Neighborhoods • Streets and Blocks Architectural Elements
• Behavioural / Perceptual approach :
• Green Spaces: Evaluate the presence and design of parks, gardens, and other green
areas. Reflect on their role in providing breathing space in the urban fabric.
• Heterogeneous Spaces: Explore areas with diverse functions, populations, and
aesthetics. Analyze how these parts contribute to the city's overall diversity and
complexity.
• Green Spaces • Heterogeneous Spaces
• Behavioural / Perceptual approach :
• Reflection and Interpretation: After your exploration, take time to reflect on your
observations and recordings. Consider questions such as:
• What themes or patterns emerge from your documentation?
• How do different elements interact to create a cohesive urban experience?
• What emotions or reactions did certain places evoke in you?
• How do elements like architecture, street design, and green spaces shape the city's
identity?
• Contextual Analysis: Place your observations in a broader context. Research the
history, culture, and urban planning principles that have influenced the city's
development. This background information can help you understand why certain
elements are present and how they contribute to the city's identity.
• Sharing and Dialogue: Engage in conversations with others about your experiences
and interpretations. Sharing your observations and insights can lead to meaningful
discussions about the city's visual and experiential aspects.
• Theories works of Gordon Cullen :
• Gordon Cullen (1914–1994) was a British architect and urban designer known for his
influential theories and works in the field of urban design and architectural psychology.
His ideas and concepts have had a significant impact on the way architects and urban
planners think about the design of cities and spaces. Some of his notable theories and
works include:
• Concise Townscape (1961): One of Cullen's most
famous works is the book "The Concise Townscape,"
where he introduced the concept of "serial vision." He
emphasized the importance of visual perception in
urban design and how the human eye experiences a
sequence of views as one moves through a city or
space.
• Serial Vision: As mentioned above, Cullen's theory of
serial vision focused on the arrangement of visual
elements in the urban environment to create
memorable and engaging sequences of views.
• Gordon Cullen
• Theories works of Gordon Cullen :
• Visual Integration: Cullen proposed the idea of "visual integration," which involves the
use of architectural and urban elements to tie together various parts of a city or urban
area.
• Urban Vitality: Cullen's theories also touched upon the concept of "urban vitality,"
suggesting that well-designed urban spaces encourage social interaction and a sense of
community. He believed that spaces should be designed to facilitate a range of
activities and interactions, fostering a sense of vibrancy and liveliness.
• Concept of Defensible Space: While not the primary focus of his work, Cullen's ideas
also contributed to discussions about crime prevention through environmental design
(CPTED). His emphasis on well-designed public spaces, clear sightlines, and visibility
aligns with some of the principles of CPTED.
• Theories works of Kevin Lynch :
• Kevin Lynch was an urban planner and author known for his significant contributions to
the field of urban design and urban planning. He is best known for his work on
understanding the perception and legibility of cities and how people navigate and
experience urban environments.
• Lynch's theories and concepts have had a lasting impact on urban design and continue to
influence the way cities are planned and designed today. Some of his key works and
theories include:
• The Image of the City (1960): This is perhaps Lynch's most
famous work. In this book, he introduced the concept of the
"imageability" of cities and proposed that urban
environments can be understood through five elements:
paths, edges, districts, nodes, and landmarks.
• A Theory of Good City Form (1981): In this book, Lynch
explored the qualities that make a city physically and socially
functional. He discussed the importance of human scale,
diversity of land uses, and well-defined public spaces in • Kevin Lynch
creating successful urban environments.
• Theories works of Kevin Lynch :
• What Time Is This Place? (1972): In this work, Lynch examined the relationship between
time and the built environment. He discussed how the temporal aspects of a place,
including historical layers and changes over time, influence its identity and meaning.
• Managing the Sense of a Region (1976): This book explored the concept of regional
planning and how to create a sense of identity and coherence within larger geographical
areas. Lynch emphasized the importance of understanding the unique characteristics
and qualities of a region.
• Examples : Theories works of Gordan Cullen
and Kevin Lynch
• Old Market Roads - Organic Development: Old market roads, like Chor Bazaar in Old
Delhi, often developed organically over time. These streets were shaped by the natural
flow of human activity and trade. Applying Cullen's and Lynch's theories to such areas,
we can see:
• Townscape (Cullen): Old market roads tend to have a distinct character influenced by
the historical layers of architecture, varying building heights, and a mix of uses. The
visual and sensory experiences of these spaces are crucial in defining the overall
atmosphere.
• Imageability (Lynch): These market roads often feature strong landmarks (iconic
buildings or structures), well-defined paths (narrow winding lanes), and nodes
(junctions, open spaces) that help people mentally map and navigate the area. The
edges might be irregular due to the organic growth over time.
• Examples : Theories works of Gordan Cullen
and Kevin Lynch
• Old market road or Delhi’s Chor Bazar
• Examples : Theories works of Gordan Cullen
and Kevin Lynch
• Newer Settlements - Planned Development: Newer settlements, especially those
developed through urban planning, tend to exhibit more planned and controlled
characteristics. Examples of planned newer settlements can include shopping streets in
modern cities. Here's how Cullen's and Lynch's concepts apply:
• Townscape (Cullen): Planned shopping streets might have a more cohesive design with
a consistent architectural style, creating a visually unified experience. This design
approach can influence the overall atmosphere and sense of place.
• Imageability (Lynch): In planned newer settlements, the elements of paths, edges,
districts, nodes, and landmarks might be intentionally designed to enhance legibility.
Landmarks could be iconic modern buildings, paths could be wide and straight, and
districts might be organized around specific commercial themes.
• Examples : Theories works of Gordan Cullen
and Kevin Lynch
• Devaraj Arasu road, Mysuru
• Khan Market road , Dehli
• Mind / Mental Mapping :
• Activity mapping is particularly useful in urban design because it provides an in-depth
understanding of how people use and interact with the urban environment.
• Urban designers can learn more about the patterns of human behavior by visualizing
the various activities occurring in a certain location.
• They can then utilize this knowledge to influence the design of new or existing venues.
This may contribute to the development of urban areas that are more livable,
sustainable, and tailored to the needs and preferences of their inhabitants.
• Activity Map
• Mind / Mental Mapping :
• Activity mapping can also help to identify areas where there is a high concentration of
specific types of activities. For example, if a particular area has a high concentration of
restaurants and cafes, this may indicate a vibrant and dynamic street life, which could be
further enhanced by improving public spaces and pedestrian connections.
• On the other hand, if a particular area has a high concentration of offices and other
commercial buildings, this may indicate a more sedentary and less dynamic use of the
space, which could be improved by adding parks, public spaces, and other amenities.
• Activity Map along the Office Plaza and Residential space
• Mind / Mental Mapping :
• Mental mapping refers to the cognitive process of creating a mental representation of a
physical space, such as an urban environment. In urban design, mental mapping is
important because it affects how people perceive and navigate through a city.
• Mental maps help individuals form mental images of their surroundings and provide a
sense of orientation and familiarity with the environment.
• Clear boundaries help
individuals understand the
limits of a space and provide a
sense of structure and
organization.
• They also help create distinct
areas within the city, making it
easier for individuals to
understand and navigate.
• Method's used to conduct Activity mapping:
• There are several different methods for conducting activity mapping, including field
observations, structured interviews, and online surveys.
• Field observations involve visiting a particular area and observing the different
activities taking place, while structured interviews involve talking to people who live
or work in the area and asking them about their activities.
• Online surveys involve gathering information from people via the internet, which can
be a fast and convenient way to gather information from a large number of people.
• The Different methods are :
• Survey
• GIS ( Geographical Information System)
• Remote sensing
• Method's used to conduct Activity mapping:
• Survey : Surveys are one of the most common methods used to collect information for
activity mapping. This can include paper or online surveys, as well as in-person interviews.
Surveys can be used to collect information about land use, movement patterns, time-use
patterns, social interactions, accessibility, and environmental conditions.
• Survey • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• GIS : Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a powerful tool for activity mapping. This
technology allows for the integration of spatial and non-spatial data to create maps that
visualize different types of information. GIS can be used to create land use maps, movement
maps, time-use maps, social maps, accessibility maps, and environmental maps.
• Method's used to conduct Activity mapping:
• Remote sensing : This is a method of collecting information about a given area from a
distance. This can include aerial photography or satellite imagery, as well as other forms of
remote sensing data. Remote sensing can be used to create maps that visualize the physical
and environmental conditions of different parts of the city, such as topography, vegetation,
and climate.
• Remote Sensing
• Types of Activity Mapping in Urban Design :
• Land use mapping : This type of mapping focuses on the different types of land use in a
given area, including residential, commercial, industrial, and public spaces. The information
is typically visualized on a map and can provide insight into the distribution and intensity of
different types of land use, as well as the relationships between different uses.
• Land use mapping • Movement mapping
• Movement mapping : This type of mapping focuses on the patterns of movement of people
and vehicles in a given area. It can help to identify areas of high pedestrian traffic, as well as
areas where there are significant traffic congestion problems. The information is typically
visualized on a map and can provide insight into the accessibility and efficiency of different
parts of the city
• Types of Activity Mapping in Urban Design :
• Time-Use mapping : This type of mapping focuses on the different activities taking place in
a given area at different times of the day and week. It can help to identify areas where
there is a high concentration of specific types of activities, such as shopping, eating, or
working, as well as areas where there is low levels of activity. The information is typically
visualized on a map and can provide insight into the patterns of human behavior in
different parts of the city.
• Time use mapping
• Types of Activity Mapping in Urban Design :
• Social mapping : This type of mapping focuses on the social patterns and interactions of
people in a given area. It can help to identify areas where there are high levels of social
interaction, as well as areas where there are low levels of interaction. The information is
typically visualized on a map and can provide insight into the social dynamics of different
parts of the city
• Social mapping
• Types of Activity Mapping in Urban Design :
• Accessibility Mapping : This type of mapping focuses on the accessibility of different parts
of the city, including the ease of access to public transportation, pedestrian and bicycle
routes, and public spaces. The information is typically visualized on a map and can provide
insight into the accessibility of different parts of the city, as well as the potential for
improvement in this area.
• Accessibility Mapping
• Types of Activity Mapping in Urban Design :
• Environmental Mapping: This type of mapping focuses on the physical and environmental
conditions of different parts of the city, including topography, vegetation, and climate. The
information is typically visualized on a map and can provide insight into the environmental
conditions of different parts of the city, as well as the potential for improvement in this
area.
• Environmental Mapping
