PAD3330 Final

Urban Design

The field focusing on the spatial organization and physical form of cities, connecting planning and architecture.

Urban Design Process

The four phases of urban design: Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation, and Implementation.

Analysis (Urban Design)

Studying physical, social, economic, and circulation patterns in an area.

Synthesis (Urban Design)

Creating design concepts or alternatives based on analyzed information.

Evaluation (Urban Design)

Comparing design alternatives using criteria like unity, safety, climate protection, and compatibility.

Implementation (Urban Design)

Applying a design through regulations, construction, and review.

Good Urban Design Principles

Unity, coherence, minimal pedestrian–vehicle conflict, orientation ease, climate/noise protection, compatible uses, public gathering spaces, safety.

William Whyte

Emphasized the importance of public spaces, sitting areas, and street-level activity.

Jane Jacobs

Advocated community-driven planning, mixed uses, and “eyes on the street.”

Clarence Perry

Created the neighborhood unit concept.

Andrés Duany

Founder of New Urbanism and traditional neighborhood development.

Peter Calthorpe

Promoted Transit-Oriented Development (TOD).

Battery Park City

NYC project noted for sustainable design, green space, and long-term planning.

World Trade Center Redevelopment

Post-9/11 mixed-use redevelopment focused on memorialization and economic revitalization.

Hudson Yards

28-acre NYC mixed-use megaproject with 14 acres of open space and extensive development.

Urban Renewal

1949–1973 federal program aimed at eliminating slums, improving housing, and revitalizing cities.

Housing Act of 1949

Established the Urban Renewal program and funding for redevelopment.

Local Public Agency (LPA)

Local entity given eminent domain power for urban renewal projects.

Berman v. Parker (1954)

Supreme Court case allowing eminent domain for private-to-private transfers within a redevelopment plan.

Impact of Urban Renewal

Encouraged economic development but caused displacement, rising costs, and prioritization of commercial interests.

Community Development

Program replacing urban renewal, emphasizing rehabilitation, citizen input, and block grants.

Housing and Community Development Act of 1974

Created CDBG funds and required Housing Assistance Plans.

CDBG (Community Development Block Grant)

Federal flexible funding for local development based on poverty, population, and housing age.

Housing Assistance Plan (HAP)

Required plan identifying housing needs and strategies for improvement.

Urban Homesteading

Program transferring vacant homes to residents who rehabilitate them.

Difference: Urban Renewal vs Community Development

Urban Renewal used demolition and redevelopment; Community Development emphasizes rehabilitation and participation.

Four-Step Transportation Planning Process

Trip Generation, Trip Distribution, Modal Split, Trip Assignment.

Trip Generation

Estimating how many trips originate in each zone.

Trip Distribution

Determining where trips go using models like the gravity model.

Modal Split

Predicting which travel modes people choose.

Trip Assignment

Allocating trips to specific routes in the transportation network.

Gravity Model (Transportation)

Trip distribution model where attraction increases with size and decreases with distance.

Induced Demand

Increased road capacity leads to more driving and recurring congestion.

Public Transportation Funding

Public transit is heavily subsidized; private transport funded mainly by fuel taxes.

Headways

Time interval between transit vehicles; 10 minutes ideal for frequent service.

Protected Intersection

Intersection designed to prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety.

Brightline

Florida rail service representing improved U.S. intercity rail efforts.

Amtrak

U.S. passenger rail system, heavily subsidized with limited high-speed infrastructure.

Economic Development Planning

Planning process focused on growth, job creation, and investment.

Steps in Economic Development Planning

Research, Forecasting, Goal Setting, Strategy Development, Impact Analysis, Plan Selection.

Impact Analysis

Evaluation of costs, benefits, and community impacts of development strategies.

Enterprise Zone

Area offering tax incentives to attract business and investment.

Brownfield Redevelopment

Reuse of contaminated or abandoned industrial sites to encourage infill.

Urban Growth Boundary (UGB)

Policy restricting outward expansion to preserve land and encourage density.

Sustainable Development

Development meeting present needs without harming future generations.

Three Pillars of Sustainability

Environmental sustainability, social equity, economic development.

Equity

Fairness; resources distributed based on need.

Equality

Everyone receives the same resources regardless of need.

Environmental Planning

Managing environmental impacts of development; often complex and cross-boundary.

Planning for Natural Disasters

Principles: go green, be fair, be safe.

Smart Growth

Planning emphasizing compact development and efficient infrastructure.

Growth Management

Policies controlling timing, location, and type of development.

Council of Governments (CoG)

Regional body coordinating transportation, land use, and environmental planning.

Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

Regional agency required for federal transportation planning and funding.

Priority Funding Areas (Maryland)

Locations where the state directs infrastructure funds to encourage compact growth.

Environmental Land and Water Management Act (Florida)

State oversight of large, environmentally impactful developments.

Florida Growth Management Act

Requires infrastructure concurrency before development approval.

Rational Planning Model

Step-by-step, data-driven planning model.

Disjointed Incrementalism

Small-scale policy changes with low risk; “muddling through.”

Middle-Range Planning

Combined rational and incremental approach using scanning and detailed analysis.

Collaborative Rationality

Planning through diverse stakeholder participation and shared decision-making.

Advocacy Planning

Planning approach advocating for marginalized groups.

Differences: U.S. vs Western Europe Planning

U.S.: auto-dependent, decentralized; Europe: transit-focused, nationally coordinated.

Planning in Asia

Characterized by dense development and highly efficient high-speed rail.