| CODE | SPI3711 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Urban Design Theory and Practice | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Spatial Planning and Infrastructure | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit introduces the basic concepts that can equip students with the basic fundamental knowledge, principles and concepts of urban design. A sound knowledge of theory is a key pre-requisite for a complete understanding of urban design. Urban design continues to develop in this day and age as it faces new and ever-changing challenges. Knowledge of contemporary urban design theory and practice is therefore equally required. In order to achieve the above, the module comprises theory, knowledge and practice-orientated teaching and is divided into two parts: 鈥� The theoretical aspect where basic principles and elements of urban design are studied and reflected upon in detail both historically through key theoretical writings and by using contemporary case studies; and 鈥� The design aspect where students act as designers in their own right. The study-unit draws on the extensive theoretical underpinning of urban design as a means to explore approaches to appraise the character of the built environment and, as a result, to forward practical proposals aimed at beneficially influencing the overall quality and liveability of urban spaces. Knowledge is imparted through lectures, and developed through the undertaking of project work designed to ensure the application of theory to practice. The project work includes a site visit and attendance at a series of compulsory tutorials and project reviews. Within the assigned project, students develop a deeper understanding of the three-dimensional environment that surrounds them, through undertaking an in-depth site analysis/appraisal and the generation of a master plan and accompanying ten-point strategy for a chosen urban space. Study-unit Aims: The objectives of this study-unit are: 鈥� To provide students with a broad albeit introductory overview of urban design theory, encompassing its visual, social, functional, perceptual and environmental dimensions; 鈥� To provide students with the necessary tools enabling them to place urban design within the wider context of both planning and architecture; 鈥� To illustrate the potential of design as a creative, problem-solving process. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 鈥� Identify and analyze specific urban design issues on-site, backed by theoretical knowledge; 鈥� Understand of the role of urban design in the built environment; 鈥� Develop key skills of an urban design project presentation and team-working. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 鈥� Develop design and spatial awareness; 鈥� Synthesize and apply knowledge to practice (problem definition and creative problem-solving); 鈥� Work in a team; 鈥� Develop presentation skills (technical and communication) and Creativity. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: 鈥� ALEXANDER, C., ISHIKAWA, S., SILVERSTEIN, M., JACOBSON, M., FIKSDAHL-KING, I. and ANGEL, S., 1977, A Pattern Language: Towns. Buildings. Construction, Oxford University Press. 鈥� BENTLEY, I., ALCOCK, A., MURRAIN, P., MCGLYNN, S., and SMITH, G., 1987, Responsive Environments: A manual for designers, Butterworth Architecture. 鈥� CARMONA, M., TIESDELL, S., HEATH, T. and OC, T., 2010, Public places 鈥� urban spaces, 2 edn. Architectural Press. 鈥� CARMONA, M. and TIESDELL, S., 2007, Urban design reader, Architectural Press. 鈥� GEHL, J., 2010, Cities for People, Island Press. 鈥� GREED, C., and ROBERTS, M. (Eds.), 1998, Introducing Urban Design: Interventions and Responses, Pearson Education. 鈥� HEDMAN, R. and JASZEWSKI, A., 1984, Fundamentals of urban design, D.C. Planners Press, American Planning Association. 鈥� HOMES AND COMMUNITIES AGENCY/LLEWELYN DAVIES YEANG, Urban design compendium, web resource. 鈥� JACOBS, J., 1961, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Penguin. 鈥� LYNCH, K., 1960, The image of the city, Technology Press. 鈥� MOUGHTIN, C., 1992, Urban design: street and square, Butterworth Architecture. 鈥� MOUGHTIN, C., CUESTA, R., SARRIS, C. and SIGNORETTA, P., 1999, Urban Design: Method and Techniques, Architectural Press. 鈥� ROBERTS, M., 2001, Approaching urban design, Longman. 鈥� SPREIREGEN, P., 1965, Urban Design: The architecture of towns and cities, McGraw-Hill. 鈥� TIBBALDS, F., 2001, Making people-friendly towns, E. & F. N. Spon. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Alexandra Abela |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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