| CODE | SPI5712 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Principles and Politics of Urban Design | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Spatial Planning and Infrastructure | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Using a mix of formal lectures and seminar discussion, this study-unit will focus on the principles, dimensions and value of urban design, and the different process and approaches which can be adopted to achieve such value. The study-unit will be delivered by means of lectures accompanied by seminars/workshops where case studies of urban developments will be presented, analyzed and discussed with participants, according to the principles, approaches and processes outlined in the lectures. Students will be encouraged and expected to further their discussions with different stakeholders, and to use these discussions, as well as their research, to write three papers/critiques on existing urban developments, looking at the relationships between process and principle, and the resulting value of urban environments. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims to cover the principles and dimensions of urban design, the social, economic and environmental value of urban design, including stakeholder interests, as well as collaborative urban design, and the notion of stakeholder participation. Different urban design processes, (total, all-of-a-piece, piece-by-piece, and plug-in urban design), will be explored, focusing on the integrated nature of urban planning and design processes, and how this integrative nature could be reinforced to achieve a more efficient and attractive urban environment. The study-unit will also seek to address the principles of development financing and the management of urban development, including marketing, visioning and branding. Socio-economic processes and the role of governments in influencing urbanization, and being influenced by urbanization, will also be explored. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Understand the way buildings and urban space create economic and social value; - Demonstrate an understanding of the processes that can be used to achieve value, and the politics that influence, and are influenced by, urban design and planning; - Comprehend contemporary issues on value of urban design, collaborative processes, and the influence of development finance and visioning on the value of urban space. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Engage in discussions with stakeholders, on the issues that govern value in urban design; - Critically assess the relationships between design processes and theoretical principles, and the resulting quality and value of urban environments; - Take part in discourse on contemporary issues on value of urban design; - Lead processes of collaborative design to achieve urban environments of quality. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Adams, D. and Tiesdell, S. (2013). Shaping Places: Urban Planning, Design and Development. London: Routledge. - Barnett, J. (1974). Urban Design as Public Policy: Practical Methods for Improving Cities. New York: McGraw-Hill. - Ben-Joseph, E. (2005). The Code of the City: standards and the hidden language of place making. London: MIT Press - Bentley, I., Alcock, A., Murrain, P., McGlynn, S. and Smith, G. (1985). Responsive Environments: a manual for designers. London: Architectural Press. - CABE. (2003). The Value of Public Space. London: CABE Space. Available online: https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/sites/default/files/asset/document/the-value-of-public-space.pdf - Carmona, M., de Magalhaes,C., Edwards,M., Awuor,B., and Aminossehe,S., (CABE) (2001). The Value of Urban Design: A Research Report commissioned by CABE and DETR to examine the value added by good urban design. Tonbridge : Thomas Telford. - Carmona, M., Punter, J. and Chapman, D. (2002). From Design Policy to Design Quality: The Treatment of Design in Community Strategies, Local Development Frameworks and Action Plans. London: RTPI/Telford. - Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. (2000). By Design: Urban Design in the Planning System — Towards Better Practice. [online]. Norwich: HMSO. Available online: http://www.cabe.org.uk/publications/by-design. - Gehl, J. (2011). Life Between Buildings: using public space. Washington, DC; London: Island Press. - Lang, J. (2005). Urban Design: A Typology of Procedures and Products. Oxford: Architectural Press. - McGlynn, S., and Samuels, I. (2000). The funnel, the sieve and the template: towards an operational urban morphology. Urban morphology. 4(2), pp. 79-89. - Ministry for the Environment, New Zealand. (2005). The Value of Urban Design: The economic, environmental and social benefits of urban design. Wellington: Ministry for the Environment. Available online: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/urban/value-urban-design-full-report-jun05/value-of-urban-design-full-report-jun05.pdf - Places Matter. (2009). The Economic Value of Good Design. Liverpool: Places Matter! Available online: http://www.placesmatter.co.uk/library/ - Punter, J. (2007). Developing Urban Design as Public Policy: Best Practice Principles for Design Review and Development Management. Journal of Urban Design. 12(2), pp. 167-202. - Punter, J. and Carmona, M. (1997). The Design Dimension of Planning: Theory, Content and Best Practice for Design Policies. London: E & FN Spon. - Whyte, W.H. (1980). The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces. Washington, D.C : Conservation Foundation. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Seminar & Independent Study | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Jacques Borg Barthet Wendy-Jo Mifsud Sarah Scheiber Antoine Zammit |
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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 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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