University of Technology Sydney

16002 Introduction to Urban Design

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: School of the Built Environment
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject uses the examples of Priority Precincts to explain the principles and practice of urban design. The subject provides an introduction to the theory and history of urban design. It reviews key urban design movements and ideas and looks at the use of development control plans and other mechanisms to achieve a sustainable urban design. It emphasises the actual process of urban design using case studies, practical workshops, and design projects.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Articulate knowledge on the historical and current urban design and planning processes to achieve sustainable urban design
2. Develop skills to use a variety of resources and evidence base to conduct an evaluation of urban design problems and prospects in cities
3. Apply environmental, economic and social sustainability and urban design principles to critique plans and develop real-world urban design proposals
4. Conduct 2D presentation and 3D visualisation tasks to explain context, analyse impacts and develop suitable urban design proposals
5. Integrate creativity and innovation in urban design solutions
6. Comprehend the urban designer’s role and develop a reflective understanding of one’s own perspective
7. Develop effective teamwork skills and communication strategies in multidisciplinary environments

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

  • Enable reflective practice on one's personal views and values and interpret how they might affect one's professional judgement (A.1)
  • Work effectively in teams of people with diverse professional and personal backgrounds (C.1)
  • Communicate with people with a wide variety of cultural, social, economic, and political perspectives using verbal, written, and visual media (C.2)
  • Develop creative solutions to complex problems based on research and evaluation (I.1)
  • Apply a wide array of analytic tools (which may include spreadsheets, geographic information software, three-dimensional simulations, or negotiation tools) to determine constraints and opportunities (P.3)
  • Develop and apply the principles of urban design to analyse places (P.5)
  • Explore the principles of environmental, economic and social sustainability and apply them to analysing and developing plans (P.7)
  • Interpret spatial relationships and evaluate the spatial and physical impacts of proposals (R.3)
  • Develop coherent and logically structured arguments that use evidence appropriately (R.5)

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject is delivered in two full-day blocks and one tutorial day. Each full-day block consists of two full days of lectures and workshops and the tutorial day includes an individual consultation opportunity for each student for Assessment Three. Full day blocks include lectures on urban design principles, historical and current urban design processes, key aspects and codes for precinct developments and national and international case studies; workshops on codes and assessments and presentations by student groups. Students apply knowledge from lectures, workshops, case studies and required readings to develop practical urban design solutions. Subject resources, lectures, and assessments are available on Canvas. Each student completes a multiple choice questionnaire and required readings available on Canvas before attending the first class. The students are required to read relevant resources available on Canvas before coming to the classes. Students actively participate in lectures and workshops; go to field trips for group projects; work in collaborative group projects and individual projects and make group presentations on practical case studies in class. Also, students are required to prepare individual reports and video presentations for assessment tasks. The three assessment tasks consist of one group assessment and two individual assessments. Marks and detailed feedback on assessments are given to the students through ReView. Also, feedback on the assessments is provided through emails, individual meetings and in the workshops.

Content (topics)

  • History and key theories of urban design;
  • Urban design principles and links to sustainability;
  • Critical analysis and evaluation of urban environments using the example of urban activation precincts;
  • Applying urban design principles to a specific site that have potential to transform into future urban activation precincts;
  • Processes for implementing urban design and recommending design guidelines for the potential urban activation sites;
  • Techniques for urban design presentations

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Team Project: Evaluation of urban design

Intent:

Students in groups evaluate local examples of urban design in Priority Precincts case studies.
Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 3 and 7

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

C.1, C.2, P.3, P.5, R.3 and R.5

Type: Presentation
Groupwork: Group, group assessed
Weight: 20%
Length:

The final presentations must be no longer than 10 minutes, which means no more than 10 slides should be prepared. Further details on are available on Canvas.
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Clarity of explanation of urban design principles and processes for Priority Precincts 25 1 P.5
Constructive criticism of the site 25 2 P.3
Use of evidence/examples to support explanations and criticisms 15 3 R.5
Extent to which recommendations build on the criticisms raised 10 3 R.5
Breadth of considerations addressed in recommended changes 10 3 R.3
Ability to work efficiently in a team environment 5 7 C.1
Clarity and quality of team presentation 10 7 C.2
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Urban Design Report

Intent:

Students analyse an urban design strategy or a Development Control Plan (DCP) on a Priority Precinct in individual assignments.
Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 3, 6 and 7

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

A.1, C.2, P.3, P.5 and R.5

Type: Report
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%
Length:

The report should be a maximum of 2000 words supported by tables and diagrams with sources as required. References will not be counted within the word limit.

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Concise explanation of design strategy components 25 1 P.5
Appropriate use of relevant urban design and Priority Precincts resources 25 2 P.3
Coherence and clarity of evaluation 30 3 R.5
Appropriateness of recommendations 10 6 A.1
Clarity and quality of writing and report presentation 10 7 C.2
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Urban Design Strategy

Intent:

Students formulate an urban design strategy for a project site and develop introductory skills in 3D presentation.
Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

A.1, C.2, I.1, P.7, R.3 and R.5

Type: Report
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 50%
Length:

The report for the Urban Design Strategy should be a maximum of 2500 words supported by tables and diagrams with sources as required. References will not be counted within the word limit.

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Extent to which design objectives reflect careful assessment of site analysis 20 3 P.7
Success of collective applications of urban design and sustainability principles 20 2 R.5
Effective relationships between objectives, principles and design response 20 4 R.3
Creativity and appropriateness of design solutions and guidelines proposed 15 5 I.1
Reflections of in-depth understanding of urban designer’s role 5 6 A.1
Clarity and quality of report presentation 20 7 C.2
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

Students must attend at least 80% of all the timetabled hours. Students must obtain a total mark of 50% or more to pass the subject.