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
LECTURE OUTLINE
This lecture will cover the following
topics:

1. Introduction to Urban Design and

Community
2. History of Cities (as per Mumford's
Culture of Cities)
3. Brief History and Models of Urban
Design

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INTENDED LEARNING
OUTCOMES (ILOs)
1. Develop a solid grasp of urban design and
community planning, considering cultural
influences and historical perspectives on shaping
cities.
2. Study the analyses of urban dynamics by Mumford
and Sitte, exploring their theories on the interplay
between culture and urban environments.
3. Learn about the evolution of urban design, from
historical models to contemporary approaches, to
understand diverse strategies that shaped urban
landscapes.

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 1

Introduction
to Urban
Design and
Community
WHAT IS URBAN DESIGN?
Urban design is a multidisciplinary It involves the strategic planning
field that focuses on shaping the and arrangement of buildings, public
physical layout, organization, and spaces, transportation systems,
aesthetics of cities, towns, and infrastructure, and landscapes to
communities. 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."

Jane Jacobs, a renowned urbanist and

2
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

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

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

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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 and
spaces, cultural amenities, and essential services, contributing to identity of a city, preserving historical landmarks and
improved physical and mental well-being. 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 as Attractive and functional urban environments attract
energy-efficient buildings, green roofs, renewable energy sources, and businesses, tourists, and investors, fostering economic
sustainable water management systems, reducing the ecological growth and creating job opportunities for residents.
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 arrangement Urban Design: Considers the broader context of the
and organization of entire cities or communities, city or community, incorporating social, cultural,
focusing on urban layouts, infrastructure, public economic, and environmental factors to create
spaces, and connectivity. cohesive urban environments.
Architecture: Focuses on the design and Architecture: Takes into account the specific context
construction of individual buildings, considering of a building's site, considering neighboring
their functionality, aesthetics, structural integrity, and structures, topography, climate, and local regulations.
user experience.

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URBAN DESIGN VS ARCHITECTURE

3 Scale of Influence 4 Design Elements

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

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URBAN DESIGN VS SITE PLANNING

1 Scale and Scope 2 Context

Urban Design: Urban design deals with the larger Urban Design: Urban design takes into account the
scale of a city, town, or community as a whole. It broader context of the city or community,
focuses on the organization and aesthetics of the considering historical, cultural, and social factors to
entire urban environment, including the layout of shape the overall identity and character of the urban
streets, buildings, open spaces, and infrastructure. environment.
Site Planning: Site planning, on the other hand, is Site Planning: Site planning zooms in on the
concerned with a specific parcel of land or site immediate surroundings of a particular site,
within the larger urban context. It involves the considering elements such as topography,
detailed arrangement and design of buildings, neighboring properties, and local regulations to
landscapes, and amenities on a particular piece of ensure seamless integration within the existing
property. context.

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URBAN DESIGN VS SITE PLANNING

3 Scale of Influence 4 Design Elements

Urban Design: Decisions made in urban design have a Urban Design: Urban design entails considering a
far-reaching impact, influencing the configuration wide array of elements, ranging from the layout of
and functionality of neighborhoods, districts, and streets and transportation networks to the creation
even the entire city, fostering a sense of unity and of landmarks and public spaces, all contributing to
connectivity. the overall cohesion and visual identity of the urban
Site Planning: Site planning decisions have a more landscape.
localized effect, focusing on optimizing the Site Planning: Site planning deals with the intricate
functionality and aesthetics of a specific area or arrangement of buildings, parking facilities, green
property without necessarily impacting the broader spaces, and circulation paths on a specific site,
urban fabric. aiming to ensure practicality and aesthetic appeal
within the confines of that site's boundaries.

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Urban Design Intersections
with Other Fields

1 Architecture 2 Urban Planning

Urban design and architecture are closely linked. Architects Urban design and urban planning share a common
shape individual buildings to align with the broader urban goal of shaping urban environments. Planners offer
design vision, emphasizing the relationship between insights into land use, zoning regulations, and
buildings and their surrounding context. transportation networks, which influence the layout
and functionality of cities.

3 Landscape Architecture 4 Environmental Science

Landscape architects collaborate with urban designers to Urban design and environmental science
create public spaces, parks, streetscapes, and green areas, collaborate to create sustainable cities, integrating
enhancing the visual appeal and ecological sustainability of green infrastructure, renewable energy, waste
urban areas. management, and environmental impact mitigation
strategies.

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Urban Design Intersections
with Other Fields

5 Transportation Planning 6 Sociology and Anthropology

Transportation planners collaborate with urban designers to Social scientists contribute insights into the cultural
design efficient transportation networks that accommodate dynamics, social interactions, and behavioral patterns
various modes of transit, including pedestrians, cyclists, and of communities. This knowledge informs designs that
public transportation. are inclusive, socially cohesive, and responsive to
community needs.

7 Economics 8 Public Health

Economic considerations influence urban design decisions, Public health experts contribute to designing
impacting land use patterns, development opportunities, and walkable and accessible communities that promote
the allocation of resources for public projects. This physical activity, mental well-being, and overall
collaboration ensures the economic vitality of urban areas. 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 provide
respects and integrates cultural heritage, traditions, and local technical expertise to ensure the safe and functional
identities, promoting a sense of place and belonging. implementation of urban design projects, including
infrastructure and buildings.

Universal Design and

11 12 Technology and Data Science
Accessibility
Professionals in this area collaborate with urban designers to Incorporating technologies like Geographic
create environments that are accessible and usable by people Information Systems (GIS) and data analysis helps
of all ages and abilities. 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 The Social-Usage Tradition The Making Places Tradition
This tradition draws inspiration from The social-usage tradition centers on the The making places tradition emphasizes
aesthetics and the visual aspects of cities. It social interactions and behaviors that occur the process of place-making and the role
emphasizes the artistic and design within urban spaces. It emphasizes the of community involvement in shaping
elements of urban spaces, focusing on way people use and inhabit urban urban spaces.
how urban environments can be visually environments, focusing on the needs,
pleasing and evoke certain emotions. experiences, and behaviors of residents.

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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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REFERENCES
-Carmona, M. (2019). *Public places, urban spaces: The dimensions of urban design* (3rd ed.). Routledge.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315146630
Larice, M., & Macdonald, E. (Eds.). (2013). *The urban design reader* (2nd ed.). Routledge.
Madanipour, A. (2014). *Urban design, space and society*. Palgrave Macmillan.
Talen, E., & Ellis, C. (Eds.). (2019). *The urbanism of Frank Lloyd Wright*. Princeton University Press.
Van Assche, K., Salukvadze, J., & Shavishvili, N. (Eds.). (2019). *Urbanism and dictatorship: A European
perspective*. Birkhäuser.

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