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PLAN10030

Academic Year 2024/2025

Urban Design (PLAN10030)

Subject:
Planning
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Architecture, Plan & Env Pol
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Arthur Parkinson
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Design of public and private spaces and the buildings that surround them in cities, towns and villages is a central concern in contemporary urban 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 urban 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, and the relationship between people and place. The module then moves on to introduce key approaches to understanding the form, layout, and overall character and legibility 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.

About this Module

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 and legibility 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.

Indicative Module Content:

Urban morphology; townscape; graphic communication; heritage conservation; urban design principles; contemporary urbanisms; urban design actors; rural siting and 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

Generative AI note: Students are not allowed to use generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI), or other machine learning technology, in this module, in formative tasks, interim submissions and presentations, or the final (graded) summative assignment, unless explicitly stated otherwise in an assignment brief.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


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


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Students complete an analysis of a selected townscape Week 14 Graded No
100
 No

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.

Name Role
Mr Colin King Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 11:00 - 12:50
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