MSc Planning / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

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Course unit details:
Urban Design Project

Course unit fact file
Unit code	PLAN60722
Credit rating	15
Unit level	FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s)	Semester 1
Offered by	Planning and Environmental Management
Available as a free choice unit?	Yes

Overview

Reinforcing through applied practice of the main urban design principles; skills of architectural observation and description; techniques for notation and analysis of urban space; green-space and circulation; built form and urban space; city image; conservation and the historic environment; design policy and guidance; design and access statements, urban design and climate change mitigation/ adaptation. Course includes studio exercises and culminates in the preparation of a design proposal for a corner site.

Aims

1. to develop a project-oriented approach to urban design
2. to apply site analysis techniques to support urban design proposals
3. to explore the main urban design principles and their relationship with practice
4. to design and communicate an urban design scaled intervention
5. to develop skills of design, presentation and 3D physical modelling

Teaching and learning methods

1. Lectures: Lectures will be shorter overviews of analytical and design techniques and process, introducing students to key themes, approaches, terminology, and practice.
2. Studio: Students will work collaboratively with staff and peers to develop individual projects in-class through applied learning. This will take the form of one-on-one times, group working, and engaging with current design soft wares
3. Seminars: Seminars allow students to receive valuable and regular feedback on their individual projects and seek peer guidance and support with particular shared issues or aspects of the design/analysis

E-Learning: Blackboard will be used to engage students outside of the lecture hall with e-lectures and case study materials linking to best practice urban design examples and current global urban developments of interest. The online urban design toolkit also acts as a valuable technical resource for out of class learning and enabling students to continue work on individual design projects during non-contact hours.

Knowledge and understanding

• To be able to conduct in-depth site and character analysis
• Understand the principal categories of urban design interventions
• develop understanding of the key urban design principles and the design process

Intellectual skills

• to robustly test urban design scheme options
• have the ability to effectively engage with and learn from constructive critique

Practical skills

• Develop 3D physical model making capabilities
• Be able to deliver a comprehsive urban design proposal

Transferable skills and personal qualities

• Develop presentational and graphics technics
• Develop skills in key design software including Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Sketch-up, and CAD
• To be able to work within a busy design studio environment

Assessment methods

Urban Design Project – for a designated corner site between 1-3 hectares;

2x A1 Pages (80%), 3D physical model (20%)

Feedback methods

Crits provided in weeks 3, 8 and 12 – crits offer students opportunity to present work to staff member and receive immediate oral feedback.

Studio and seminar sessions designed to provide students with weekly feedback and critique on their design project

Final submission results in official written feedback on both A1 pages and 3D physical model