MH4301 Urban Design: Theory and Practice Syllabus:

MH4301 Urban Design: Theory and Practice Syllabus – Anna University PG Syllabus Regulation 2021

OBJECTIVES

 To introduce the evolution of urbanism and the urban design discipline.
 To introduce tools and techniques used in critical enquiry into urban issues.
 To give understanding of the complex challenges faced by contemporary urbanism.
 To introduce emerging concepts and strategies in urban interventions.

UNIT I INTRODUCTION

Introduction to the origin and evolution of urbanism across the world with key examples. Historic overview of the development of the urban design discipline and principles.

UNIT II READING THE URBAN EN VIRONMENT

Introduction to the different tools and methods to read the urban environment and interpret underlying issues.

UNIT III CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN URBANISM

Introduction to various contemporary issues that influence urbanism such as globalisation, environmental degradation and pollution, imageability and identity, digital revolution, splintering urbanism, privatization of the public realm, climate change, etc.

UNIT IV URBAN INTERVENTIONS: CONTEMPORARY PROCESSES

Contemporary processes and digital tools in urban design. Place-making in digital age. Participative design and community engagement. Restructuring the urban realm, urban conservation and regeneration policies. Suitable case studies for all the above.

UNIT V URBAN INTERVENTIONS: EMERGING CONCEPTS AND STRATEGIES

Landscape urbanism. Transit-oriented development and walkability. Net-zero Cities. Sustainable cities programme. Resilient cities. Smart Cities. Shareable cities.

TOTAL: 45 PERIODS

COURSE OUTCOMES

CO1 Awareness of urbanism as a phenomenon.
CO2 An understanding of the complexity involved in addressing contemporary urban issues
CO3 Knowledge of various contemporary processes and urban interventions

REFERENCES

1. Edmund Bacon, ‘Design of Cities’, Penguin Books, 1976.
2. Kevin Lynch, ’Image of the City’, MIT Press, 2017.
3. Jonathan Barnett, ‘An Introduction to Urban Design’, Harper & Row, London, 1996.
4. Christian Norberg Schulz, ‘Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture’, Rizzoli New York, 1996.
5. Cavallo, R. et al, ‘New Urban Configurations’, IOS Press, 2014.
6. Henriette Steiner & Maximilian Sternberg, ‘Phenomenologies of the City: Studies in the History and Philosophy of Architecture’, Routledge 2015.
7. Jan Gehl, ‘Life between Buildings- Using Public Space’, Arkitektens Forleg 1987.
8. ‘Time Savers Standard for Urban Design’, Donald Watson, McGraw Hill, 2005.
9. Malcolm Moore & Jon Rowland Eds, ‘Urban Design Futures’, Routledge, 2006