How can we make our cities more liveable and sustainable?
This module will introduce you to some of the main ways of improving our urban environment. You will learn how to 'read' a city, identify its problems, and resolve them through original urban design strategies.
A master planning project will give you the opportunity to design a framework for new buildings and urban spaces that entangle with the existing ones, responding to local requirements, character, and regulatory framework. You will learn how to regenerate existing urban communities making them more sustainable and liveable.
This work will be supported by lectures exploring theories and methods of urban design, as well as its technical and environmental specifications. These will help you measure the impact of design on microclimate, vehicular and pedestrian movement, as well as the quality of public and communal open-air spaces. Classes in digital drawing are integral to the module and will help you to present your work to a professional standard.
All this will help you see the streets and squares of modern cities in a new way. Your new design tools will unlock the hidden potential of the urban environment, helping you to address some of today's key social, economic, and environmental agendas.
Lectures 8
Design tutorials 48
Digital drawing classes 12
Reviews 6
Site Analysis. Assessment Details: Series of interpretive diagrams analysing the normative and typological conditions of an urban area with the aim of interpreting its constraints and opportunities (20%).
Masterplanning Proposal. Assessment Details: A series of plans, sections, elevations, axonometric drawings, 3D visuals and models illustrating a strategy for redeveloping an urban area worth (80%). This Assessment is Pass Compulsory.
Reassessment Method: Like-for-like.
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1) Analyse critically the normative and typological conditions of an urban area identifying its constraints and opportunities (B11, B15)
2) Develop a critical understanding of complex urban design theories and apply them to the regeneration of cities (A4, A5, A6, A10)
3) Design urban spaces that fit harmoniously within an existing urban context (B12)
4) Produce urban design masterplans for sustainable communities, grounded by reference to social and economic requirements (A19, A20, B5)
5) Assess the impact of urban development on the environment and articulate an architectural design strategy for the sustainable development of an urban community (A13)
6) Generate a detailed specification for the landscaping of an urban space (A15, A16, A17)
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.
