Course Description
An introduction to the city as a physical form, how they are designed and developed. The course will provide students with an understanding of the urban design history, practices, theories, and the future of urban environments based on field observation, lectures, readings, and presentations.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
In addition to the required field observations, documentations, class presentations, and discussions for all students, graduate students will be asked to complete extra readings, present a research paper on a selected topic, and lead hands-on vertical group exercises and community projects, both individually and in groups, based on the assignment. In addition, graduate students will be expected to take on leading/mentoring roles in group assignments and to write a final research paper on one of the topics covered in the course.
Athena Title
Urban Design
Prerequisite
LAND 1500 or LAND 1500E or LAND 2510 or LAND 2510E or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall, spring and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will have the fundamental urban design skills to observe, document, analyze, and to develop an understanding of the built environment, including methods of recording, various representation, and communication techniques.
- Students will have knowledge of theories and design responses to the needs of cities and understanding of spatial meaning and quality of urban spaces.
- Students will understand the interaction between urban patterns, nature, and built environment.
- Students will understand stakeholder Identification and Analysis, “Third Place” conceptualization, Community Policing, Immigration and Community, Community Health, Community and Monuments, Oral History and Community.
- Students will learn qualitative methods on how to analyze “informal spaces” and their role in fostering and sustaining community.
- Students will learn qualitative methods to analyze insider/outsider relationships in community formation management.
- Students will learn about community and civic society formation and governance through theoretical and case study analysis.
- Students will synthesize these broad social, economic, and environmental understandings of community into projective planning/design practice and policy.
- Students will have an appreciation for the contribution of urban patterns and forms to the identity of community and social justice.
- Students will learn qualitative methods on how to analyze “informal spaces” and their role in fostering and sustaining community.
- Students will learn qualitative methods to analyze insider/outsider relationships in community formation management.
- Students will learn about community and civic society formation and governance through theoretical and case study analysis.
- Students will synthesize these broad social, economic, and environmental understandings of community into projective planning/design practice and policy.
Topical Outline
- This course is organized as a seminar/workshop supplemented by lectures and presentations. Students are expected to complete readings, design assignments, take field trips, and make presentations.
The main components of the course are as follows:
Lectures, Readings, and Class Discussion
Introduction to Urban Design
Evolution of Urban Form and Pattern
Urban Design Theories
Understanding the Urban Design Processes
Urban Form and Social Justice
Pandemics and Future of Urban Design
Procedural Issues in Attaining a Functional Environment
Synthesis
The Future of Urban Design
Graphic exercises to develop visual literacy and representation skills; field exercises, including spatial documentations and observing social behavior in public places; photographic journals and thematic mappings; demonstrating findings in multimedia presentations.
Institutional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
Social Awareness & Responsibility
The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.
