Urban and Regional Design: Critique and Innovation - BENV2937

This course reviews the principles of urban design and guides students through urban design methodology via a series of small design projects. Teaching is through "enquiry by design" whereby lectures, site visits and case studies assist students' learning and development through the exploration of design projects of varying scales and contexts (e.g. town centres, concept designs for specific sites, structure plans). Specific aims of the course include developing an awareness of the scope of urban design projects, an appreciation of the physical structure of places, an understanding of shaping built form, a familiarity with a range of building typologies, and an appreciation of current urban design issues and debates. Particular skills to be reviewed include site analysis methodology, establishing robust planning and design principles, mapping and spatial understanding, design review criteria and mechanisms of development control.