PLAN10030 Urban Design

Academic Year 2022/2023

Design of the physical setting for life in cities, towns and villages is a central concern in contemporary spatial planning. This is the principal focus of urban design, a multidisciplinary activity that seeks to formulate innovative and appropriate solutions to challenges associated with the development and evolution of buildings, urban spaces, the overall form and layout of towns and cities, their distinctive character, the quality of life of their inhabitants, and their sustainability. This module introduces urban design, its relationship with spatial planning, and its role in place-making, drawing on a range of Irish and international examples. More specifically, the module presents core concepts in urban design theory and practice, including different forms of urbanism, townscape character, built heritage, the relationship between people and place, and urban design process. The module then moves on to introduce key approaches to understanding the form and character of urban places, and basic techniques for illustrating and communicating this. Finally, the roles of different actors in the urban design process are introduced, as well as the roles of the planning system and associated principles and processes relevant in managing urban design.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Over the course of the semester, students will:
1. Understand the scope of urban design, and the contrasting perspectives that can frame it;
2. Learn about the analysis of townscape, its role in understanding the character of urban places, and basic techniques for graphic communication;
3. Develop an awareness of the roles of the planning system, related processes, and different actors in the urban design process;
4. Gain an understanding of the relationship between character, built heritage and urban conservation;
5. Become familiar with the core principles of urban design.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Tutorial

2
Autonomous Student Learning

78
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lecture
Critical reading
Task-based learning
Case-based learning
Reflective learning
Peer learning 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Form & Space: T & C (PEP10040)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: End of trimester assignment Week 12 n/a Graded No

100

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students attend a tutorial session that builds upon lecture and reading material, to support students in completing the module assignment. Students present their individual work to a small tutorial group to receive formative feedback on tasks completed in advance of the tutorials.