This module introduces students to the theory and practice of site planning and urban design for the development process. It develops students’ graphic, site appraisal, and design skills.  The module explores key concepts, ideas and standards that shape approaches to site planning and design. It considers the position of design in the UK planning system and looks at mechanisms available to planners to influence design such as development plans policies, supplementary guidance and development briefs.

The module has a strong practical element: it develops site planning and urban design skills through practical exercises, builds an awareness of the 3-D environment, and develops presentation skills.  Students will be asked to undertake a site analysis, and a housing site layout or appraisal for residential / mixed use development.

This is a core module for MSc PPR, and an option for MSc IPD. For MScIPD, if the module is taken with CPT867 Designing Cities  it constitutes the ‘Urban Design – International’ route; it can also be taken as an option on the ‘General’ MScIPD route.

• An understanding of the spatial morphology of urban development, and key elements of townscape and urban design;
• Knowledge of the physical elements able to influence design choices;
• Familiarity with concepts, issues and standards, which shape approaches to site planning and design;
• Urban design awareness and familiarity with its driving principles;
• Being able to relate knowledge development approaches design outcomes.

Site Planning, Design and Development is taught over two Semesters, using a mixture of lectures, specialist teaching, and revisions sessions (where students must take an active role in seeking guidance on work in progress; during each revision students will be seen in groups of 5-6 and each receiving short individual feedback on their work). This caters for the range of skills between MSc PPR full and part-time students taking the module and allows for scheduling of sessions in one day avoiding timetabling issues for part timers.

 Whilst studying this module, students will practice and develop skills 2D and 3D understanding of the built environment features, and reflective skills.

• Ability to respond positively and creatively to development constraints
• Site appraisal, development evaluation, design, plan drawing and presentation techniques;
• Sketching, 2D and 3D drawing preparation and presentation;
• Understanding of values /attitudes that underpin current theory and practice in design and development;
• Awareness of, and respect for, differences in professional and public values in relation to design of the built environment;

Analysis SWOT Strategy - City Centre - Site analysis, SWOT appraisal and preferred strategy (50%)

Development Layout/assessment - Housing mixed use site layout (FT) or Design appraisal of current planning applications (PT) (50%)

Content will cover:Urban space & block structure; typologies; townscape; legibility; use patterns; density, scale & massing; hierarchy; the UK design agenda.

Autumn Semester – Provisional Timetable

Weeks 1-5: Five 2-hour lectures and three specialist 4-hour training sessions on: freehand sketching and model-building; computer-aid and advanced approaches to urban design Initial work on site choice and analysis;

Weeks 7-9: One 2-hour lecture; Further work on site choice and analysis; Revision sessions

Week 10: Presentation (50% of module marks). Site analysis, SWOT appraisal and preferred strategy

Spring Semester

Weeks 1-11: Three 2-hour lectures; Four revision sessions.

Week 9: Final Assignment (50% of module marks)

Housing/mixed use site layout (on presentation boards) (LOs 3, 4, and 5)

Bentley, I. et al (1985) Responsive Environments: A manual for designers, Oxford, Butterworth Architecture (711.4R main and short loan)

Biddulph, M. J. (2006) Introduction to Residential Layout, Oxford: Architectural Press (711.58 B)

Billingham, J. and Cole, R. (2002) The Good Place Guide: Urban design in Britain and Ireland, London, Batsford, (Architecture 914.2B)

Carmona, M. (2001) Housing Design Quality: Through policy, guidance and review, London, Spon Press (711.58094Cmain and short loan)

CABE / DTLR 2000, By Design: Urban design in the planning system, London, Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment  (CABE), Tonbridge, Thomas Telford(711.4B, main and short loan)

Cowan, R. (ed) (2002)Urban Design Guidance: Urban design frameworks, development briefs and master plans, London, Thomas Telford, (711.4U)

Cullen, G. (1961) Concise Townscape, New York, Van Nostrand Reinhold Company (Architecture 711.4C)

DfT, DCLG, CABE (2007) Manual for Streets, www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/manforstreets/

DfT, DCLG, CIHT (2007) Manual for Streets 2: Wider Application of the Principles, (711.74 MAN)

Essex Planning Officers’ Association (2005) Essex Design Guide Chelmsford, Essex County Council and Essex Planning Officers Association (711.58094E)

Llewelyn-Davies (2000), The Urban Design Compendium,London, English Partnerships/Housing Corporation (711.4L)

Lynch, K. (1960) Image of the City, Cambridge, MA, MIT Press (Architecture 711.4 L)

Punter, J.V. and Carmona, M.C. (1997) The Design Dimension of Planning: Theory, content and best practice for design policies, London, E and FN Spon (711.10942P short loan)

Southworth M. and Ben-Joseph E. (2003) Streets and the Shaping of Towns and Cities(711. 74S)

 Urban Task Force (1999) Towards an Urban Renaissance:Final report of the Urban Task Force, London, Spon Press (307.1216U)