Course overview
This course will provide students with an understanding of key critical concepts, strategies, principles and processes necessary to analyse and communicate functional, spatial and visual relationships of the built environment. Students will develop knowledge of planning and urban design principles, policies and strategies, to evaluate and prepare planning and urban design projects such as infill, regeneration, urban conservation, redevelopment and new development. Students will gain familiarity with the fundamentals of spatial analysis through Geographical Information Systems informing planning and urban design, and develop investigative, interpretive and communication skills essential for planners to describe and present urban design processes and development scenarios to a broad audience.
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the urban design theories and principles to create sustainable development.
- Acquire a critical knowledge of methods and techniques to evaluate a range of current urban design and urban development theories and projects and develop presentation, graphic and communication skills.
- Perform a detailed appraisal of an urban development site/s using urban design theories and principles.
- Identify relationships between ecological processes and urban living and show how these relationships can be enhanced by the design and management of the urban environment.
- Present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.