The readings and PowerPoints of
Reflection 5 discuss a very wide variety of the different types of factors that
play into the urban design we know today. There are both physical aspects and
theoretical aspects that take a role in the final product that we see within
our cities, and this can effect projects of all scales, from cities with
millions of people to towns of mere thousands.
There are a variety of different
things that designers and planners take into consideration when beginning
design for a space. One of the largest things that plays into these roles is
the physical zoning and building codes that effect an area and its built
environment. These codes put rules and requirements behind almost all aspects
of construction and planning, with a few goals in mind. Building and zoning
codes are designed to create a sense of place, create predictable planning, and
provide a high quality of design, among other things. While these may make
design more difficult, they are crucial to successful design. Not only they
benefit individual project design, they help bring an entire city together in a
variety of different ways, which has many benefits on the public.
There is arguably an infinite list
of ways to approach urban design, but over the years, there have been a select
few that have proven to be more beneficial than others, each of which have an
ultimate goal in mind. Some of these we relate to in our everyday lives. One
large influence is the design of either Neighborhoods as a unit, or the
traditional neighborhood that many of us have experienced in our childhood.
While these both strive to create a more functioning urban space, they approach
it in two very different ways. A neighborhood unit acts as one self-contained
spaces which acts on its own and acts as a very desirable neighborhood. This
could be looked at in a business standpoint, wanting to create a picture
perfect space. Opposite of this, the traditional neighborhood layout takes a
much more relaxed approach, with a well connected road system, as well as a
variety of public spaces and amenities. This is a much more comfortable
approach, creating a space which attracts people looking for a very ‘homey’
feeling home. Growing up, I lived in a traditional style neighborhood, with
winding roads, public parks in multiple directions, and even a grocery store
less than a five minute walk away. While I see how both of these can benefit a
city, I personally find the traditional approach much more effective. This
creates a space that can build its own personality or culture, where as a
neighborhood unit is designed specifically to house as many people as possible,
similar to dormitory living.
Urban design isn’t limited to only
these approaches. This approach is something that caters to the users of the
space, which is only a fraction of the considerations taken into account in the
design world. Many large towns and cities look at design in the eyes of the
planners and business men that play large roles in the development of a city.
Many wealthy designers approach urban design from a mainly business standpoint,
where they strive to create a space that acts mainly as an income for
themselves or the city as a whole. This as well can be done in a variety of
approaches, including designing an entire town as a whole, or simply adding
piece by piece to a city to help tweak and improve certain aspects. While this
is the case for many urban designers, I think while necessary in some cities
which need a heavier income, in the grand scheme of things, this is a very poor
way to design a city. Even as a successful income provider, it takes away some
of the key elements that we aim for in design. Instead of focusing on the user,
it’s focused on money, which could lose the interest of many of the users.
