URBAN DESIGN - LONDON

URBAN DESIGN
S H A P I N G L O N D O N
L O N D O N

INTRODUCTION
Urban Design | INDO GLOBAL COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE
About London
Location South-East of England
No. of Districts 32
Area 1572 sq. km
Elevation 35m
Population 14 million
Climate Oceanic
“Culture Capital of the world”

INTRODUCTION
About London
London is one of the oldest cities in the world, and it
was founded by the Romans in 40 A.D. and called
Londinium.
London has the river Thames, which runs through the
middle of city and it is 215miles long.
Monuments: Palace of Westminster, Westminster
Abbey and St. Margaret's Church, the Tower of London,
the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Attractions: Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Tower
Bridge, Trafalgar Square, The Tower of London, The
British Museum, National Gallery, The Albert Museum

DETERMINANTS OF URBAN FORM
Landform
Modern London stands on the
Thames, its primary geographical
feature, a navigable river which
crosses the city from the south-west
to the east.
The Thames Valley is a
floodplain surrounded by gently
rolling hills including Parliament Hill,
Addington Hills, and Primrose Hill.
Historically London grew up at the
lowest bridging point on the Thames.
Parliament Hill
Primrose Hill
Addington Hill

Since the Victorian era the Thames
has been extensively embanked, and
many of its London tributaries now
flow underground.
The Thames is a tidal river, and London is
vulnerable to flooding.
The threat has increased over time
because of a slow but continuous rise in
high water level by the slow 'tilting' of
Britain (up in the north and down in the
south) caused by post-glacial rebound.
Landform

London has a temperate oceanic
climate.
Temperature extremes in the London
area have ranged from 38.1 °C to
−16.1 °C.
Climate

Westminster Abbey
St. Mary’s Axe
London Bridge
London Eye
Symbolism
Big Ben
Tower Bridge
Squares
River Thames
London Streets
Double-Decker Bus
Olympics 2012
Buckingham Palace

The image of the city is most popular among one of the top four Fashion
Capitals of the World, third busiest Film Production Center and had the
biggest theatre audience in the world.
Urban Spaces like Leicester Square, where World Film Premiers are held.
Oxford Street is the busiest shopping street in the world.
The culture of listening and performing Operas in Royal Opera House and Royal Albert Hall.
Socio-Cultural Factors

Activity Pattern
Walking is the main activity pattern in London, also including Tube ways, River ways, Street ways, Cycle
Tracks, Bus Transit etc.
It is also a recreational activity. Areas that provide for walks include Wimbledon Common, Epping Forest,
Hampton Court Park, Hampstead Heath, the eight Royal Parks, canals and disused railway tracks.
Epping Forest is a popular venue for various outdoor activities, including mountain biking, walking,
horse riding, golf, angling, and orienteering.
Kenwood House, a popular location in the summer months when classical musical concerts are held by
the lake, attracting thousands of people every weekend to enjoy the music, scenery and fireworks
Tourist attraction of Madame Tussauds Museum.

Brick:
- Brick was the most common building material.
- It was preferred to other materials because it was cheap, easy to
produce anywhere and fire-resistant.
- Most of the brick walls were left naked, giving cities like London
their characteristic appearance.
- But in the public or more elegant private buildings the brick was
often ’rendered’ (coated with cement) to imitate stone.
- Later in the century, brick was often stuccoed, which gave the buildings the
kind of smooth texture required by Neo-Classical architects.
Materials & Techniques
Senate House
Buckingham Palace

Stone:
- Stone served as the main building material in only as it was
easily available locally, and therefore less expensive.
- It was used only in public buildings and the façades of the
more expensive private houses.
- It was often mostly reserved for columns, pediments,
door-cases, window-frames, cornices and mouldings, while
the walls were made of brick.
- Materials like flint and chalk, formerly much used in rural housing, were not
favored in urban building. Flint obviously did not lend itself to the smooth
finishing expected in classical architecture.
Abbey Wood
Stone used
as cornice

Cast Iron:
- The use of cast-iron as a building material in a structural capacity came even later, and was at first
reserved to engineering work and industrial buildings.
- Some late Georgian London markets included
elegant cast-iron elements, as in the Covent
Garden Market (1828) and the Hungerford
Market (1831).
- But the most bizarre structural as well as
decorative use of cast iron in the Georgian age
was Nash’s iron columns disguised as palm-trees in
the kitchens of the Prince Regent’s exotic Royal
Pavilion at Brighton.
Covent Garden Market

ELEMENTS OF CITY IMAGE
Paths
Paths can be in the form of streets, walkways, transit lines, canals, cycle lanes or railroads.
Roads:
- Responsibility for managing London's road network is shared between TfL, Highways England, and the
32 London boroughs, plus the City of London.
- Red routes
London's red routes form a network of major roads. They make up 5% of the city's roads, but carry up to
30% of traffic.
Key routes, such as the A40 or A406 (North Circular Road), are at the heart of London's road network.
They are generally marked with either single or double red lines and form the TLRN.

Paths
Roads:
Network of Major
Arterial Roads

Paths
Cycle Tracks:
- Cycle Superhighways are cycle routes running from outer London into and across central London.
They give a safer, faster and more direct journeys into the city and could be your best and quickest way
to get to work.
East-West Cycle Superhighway
The East-West Cycle Superhighway is now open to cyclists in both directions. The route runs through
central London – from Tower Hill to Lancaster Gate. Minor finishing works will continue until summer 2018
North-South Cycle Superhighway
When complete, the North-South Cycle Superhighway (CS6) will provide a safe and direct route for
cyclists through central London between Elephant and Castle and King's Cross. Works to extend the
route to King's Cross will continue until summer 2018.

Cycle Tracks:
Cycle Superhighway
Route I
From The City to
Tottenham
Paths

Cycle Tracks:
Cycle
Superhighway
Route 2 –
Stratford to
Aldegate
Paths

Cycle Tracks:
Cycle Superhighway Route 3 – Barking to Tower Gateway
Paths

Cycle Tracks:
Cycle Superhighway Route 7 – Merton to The City
Paths

Cycle Tracks:
Cycle Superhighway Route 8 – Wandsworth to Westminster
Paths

Walkways:
These seven routes form the Walk
London Network, one of the largest
walking networks of any city in the
world.
These routes are specifically designed to be
easily accessible by public transport
and you can walk as little or as far as
you want by walking them in sections.
Paths

Walkways:
Jubilee Walkway-
This route, created to celebrate the Queen's
Silver Jubilee, encompasses London's most
iconic landmarks, from St Paul's to
Buckingham Palace, and includes
Bloomsbury and the City on the way.
Paths

Walkways:
Green Chain Walkway-
A network of straight and circular walks
across South East London, the route takes in
dozens of woods and parks, as well as the
Thames Barrier and Crystal Palace.
Paths

Walkways:
Capital Ring Walkway-
A walk through London's greenest suburbs,
this 78-mile route is divided into 15 shorter
walks, including Richmond Park, Wimbledon
Common and Eltham Palace.
Paths

Walkways:
Thames Path Walkway-
A 40-mile stretch of easy, level walking on
both sides of the river, the path stretches
from Hampton Court Palace through the
heart of London to East India Dock.
Paths

Walkways:
Lea Valley Walkway-
A glimpse into Britain's industrial past, the path
follows the 18 miles along the Lee Navigation
towpath, from Waltham Abbey to the Thames
at Limehouse Basin.
Paths

Walkways:
Jubilee Greenway-
Celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee,
this path for walkers and cyclists links the
Olympic and Paralympic Games venues,
including the O2 Arena, Greenwich Park and
the Serpentine.
Paths

Walkways:
London Outer Orbital Path (LOOP)-
The London Outer Orbital Path, or LOOP,
almost completely encircles Greater London.
Nearly 150 miles are split into 24, bite-sized
walks.
Paths

Riverways:
Paths

Old Street Roundabout
Located on the boundary of the Hackney
and Islington.
It is an interchange system at the junction of
Old Street and City Road
With the increase in passenger numbers
using the station, TFL announced for a
pop-up retail space to increase its revenue
Hence, the shopping complex in the
underpass at the center of the roundabout
was constructed, named St. Agnes Well
Nodes

Nodes
Old Street Roundabout
Activity pattern

International
1. Big Ben:
• Completed in 1859 and situated in Westminster, London
• Cultural Significance – Most iconic film location
Focal point of New Year celebrations
2. London Bridge:
• Completed in 1973 and situated at River Thames between
the City of London and Southwark, in central London
• Significance: Transit
Landmarks

National
1. Buckingham Palace:
• Located in City of Westminster
• It is the London residence and administrative
headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom
• Cultural Significance: It is a focal point for the British
people at times of national rejoicing and mourning.
2. Madam Tussauds
• Located on Marylebone Road, London
• Cultural Significance: Major tourist attraction
Popular in celebrities, films,
literature, music, television
Landmarks

Local
1. BT Tower:
• Completed in 1960 and Located in Fitzrovia
• Very prominent landmark in that area
• Cultural Significance: Sometimes used for
corporate and other special events.
2. Kenwood House
• Located on Hampstead
• Cultural Significance: Famous for having Rich tenants,
Popular in serving as film locations
Landmarks

- Boundary of London
- Boundary of every district
- River Thames
The River Thames has plays several roles as an economic resource, a maritime route, a boundary, a fresh
water source, a source of food and more recently a leisure facilities.
Trade: A port is situated along the Thames and is used as an area for transportation.
Sport: There are several watersports prevalent on the Thames, with many clubs encouraging participation
and organizing racing and inter-club competitions.
Activities like rowing, sailing, skiffing, kayaking, canoeing etc happened during Olympics 2012.
Edges

River Thames as an Edge
Leisure Activities:
Music, activities and special events
Sightseeing
Cultural Landmarks along the river
Pubs and restaurants
Parks, Gardens and Greenlife
Edges

London's vast urban area is often divided into a set of districts, ie 32 Boroughs.
These are either informal designations, reflect the names of villages that have been absorbed by sprawl,
or are superseded administrative units.
Such names have remained in use through tradition, each referring to a local area with its own distinctive
Character.
The City of London is the main financial district.
The West End is London's main entertainment and shopping district, attracting tourists as it includes
expensive residential areas.
The East End is the area closest to the original Port of London, known for its high immigrant population,
as well as for being one of the poorest areas in London because of its early industrial development.
Districts

London’s Major districts
Central London
North London
East London
West London
South West London
South East London
Districts

1. City of London
2. Westminster
3. Kensington and Chelsea
4. Hammersmith and Fulham
5. Wandsworth
6. Lambeth
7. Southwalk
8. Tower Hamlets
9. Hackney
10. Islington
11. Camden
12. Brent
13. Ealing
14. Hounslow
Districts
15. Richmond upon Thames
16. Kingston upon Thames
17. Merton
18. Sutton
19. Croydon
20. Bromley
21. Lewisham
22. Greenwich
23. Bexley
24. Havering
25. Dagenham
26. Redbridge
27. Newham
28. Waltham Forest
29. Haringey
30. Enfield
31. Barnet
32. Harrow

ELEMENTS OF URBAN FORM
URBAN PATTERN
Organic Pattern

URBAN GRAIN
•The pattern of the arrangements and size of buildings and their plots and settlement.
•Apart from Central London , the urban grain of London is fine.
Coarse grain

URBAN TEXTURE
•Respect to the shape of the building and their spatial configuration and arrangement in space.

DENSITY
The metro population in
2018 is estimated to be
as much as 14 million
according to the UN's
World Urbanization
Prospects.

• A Development proposals that include large-scale commercial developments that are open to the
public, such as shops, leisure facilities and large areas of public realm, should provide and secure the
future management of free publicly-accessible toilets. These should be available during opening hours,
or 24 hours a day in areas of public realm, and should be suitable for a range of users including disabled
people and families with young children
• Larger developments where users are expected to spend long periods of time or where there is no other
local provision, should also provide ‘Changing Places’ toilets as identified in the British Standard BS8300.
• Taking into account the needs of all Londoners, a range of
toilet facilities should be provided. They should include unisex
disabled persons’ toilets, separate accessible baby change
toilets which can also be suitable for some older people or
people who require additional space.
• Public toilets which are open 24 hours can be of great benefit
to people accessing London’s night-time economy.
DESIGNING CITY
Utilities

DESIGNING CITY
Landscape features
Jubilee park

DESIGNING CITY
Landscape features
Street furniture

DESIGNING CITY
Landscape features
Diana memorial fountain

DESIGNING CITY
Visual Expression
London panoramas
• Alexandra Palace to Central London
• Parliament Hill to Central London
• Kenwood to Central London
• Primrose Hill to Central London
• Greenwich Park to Central London
• Black heath Point to Central London
Linear Views
• The Mall to Buckingham
Palace
River Prospects
• Tower Bridge
• London Bridge
• South wark Bridge
Buckingham Palace
Tower bridge

Population: 14 million (2018)
Area: 1,572 km²
Rivers :
• The River thane
It is 265 metres (870 feet) wide at London Bridge,
448 metres (1470 feet) at Woolwhich,732 metres
(2400 feet) at Gravesend.
length (364km)
• River Ingrebourne – (43km)
• River lea – (68km)
• River Roding – (50km)
• River Brent – (29km)
DESIGNING CITY
Size

DESIGNING CITY
Contrast
Tower of London and the shard
Tower of London and the shard

• The character areas have been defined using a series of detailed information layers, including historic
maps, historic and current land use, street structure, transport infrastructure, existing densities and
heritage designations.
• The current London Plan understanding of the city as having three broadly concentric types of
character: central, urban and suburban.
• The social, cultural, environmental and economic relationships between people and their communities
are reinforced by the physical character of a place.
• A positive relationship between the urban structure and natural landscape features, including the
underlying landform and topography of an area.
• Ensuring buildings create a positive relationship with street level activity and people feel comfortable
with their surroundings.
• Existing buildings and structures that make a positive contribution to the character of a place to
influence the future character of the area
• Classification of character : Urban, Civic and Institutional, Residential, Green space, Water space
DESIGNING CITY
Urban characters

SHAPE OF THE CITY
Geometry
• Organic geometry
• Irregular and slow growth
• Incremental change in city structure over long time
periods
• Residents decide by trial and error
• Organic patterns
• Formation of nodes
• Creates interesting Visiting places, plaza open
spaces

SHAPE OF THE CITY
A) – First road network built by romans over 2000 years
ago the knot of streets at the centre.
B) – In 9th centaury developed medieval villages within
the roman walls by a network of winding roads.

SHAPE OF THE CITY
C) – Between 17th-18th centaury London power increased
Its population grew from 630,000 to 2 million.
D) – Expanded by around 60% in the past of 100
years

URBAN SPACES
Concept of Urban Spaces
• There are many urban open spaces in London which includes streets and squares.
• Green space in central London consists of eight Royal Parks, supplemented by a number of small garden
squares and plazas scattered throughout the city centre.
• Open space in the rest of the region is dominated by the three Royal Parks and many other parks and open
spaces of a range of sizes, run mainly by the local London boroughs, although other owners include
the National Trust and the City of London Corporation.
London Squares London Streets
- Trafalgar Square - Balham High Street
- Kensington Square - Clink Street
- Golden Square - Hallam Street
- Soho Square - Chinatown Street
- St. James's Square - Orme Street

URBAN SPACES
Trafalgar Square
Location City of Westminster, London
Purpose Public square and landmark
Shape Square
Size 110x110m (Nelson’s column 52m)
Scale High Urban Scale (Monumental)
Enclosure North - Charing Cross Road
East - The Strand
South - Northumberland Avenue, Whitehall
West - The Mall
Degree of enclosure > 18 degree
Elements Nelson's Column guarded by four lion statues
commemorative statues and sculptures
Fountains
Uses community gatherings, political demonstra-
tions & well known for feral pigeons

URBAN SPACES
A) - Trafalgar Square in 1908
B) - Trafalgar Square in 2009

URBAN SPACES
A) - Spatial accessibility B) - Pedestrian movement traces and stationary activity

URBAN SPACES
Balham – High Street
Location Balham High Rd, London, UK
Purpose Shopping street
Shape Linear
Size 300m long. 25m wide
Scale High Urban Scale
Enclosure Enclosed by shops
Degree of enclosure > 45 degree
Elements 4 storied shops , brick façade, white
casement windows, pedestrian aisles
guarded by green
iron posts.
Uses shopping.

URBAN SPACES

SCALE AND ENCLOSURE
SCALE
INTIMATE SCALE – HOUNSLOW MARKET
>80’

SCALE AND ENCLOSURE
SCALE
GRAND URBAN SCALE - Piccadilly Circus
>450’

SCALE AND ENCLOSURE
SCALE
MONUMENTAL SCALE - SOUTH BANK THAMES
<4000’

DEVELOPMENT CONTROLS
POLICY (LONDON’S LIVING SPACES AND PLACES)
LIFETIME
NEIGHBOURHOODS
AN
INCLUSIVE
ENVIRONMENT
DESIGNING
OUT
CRIME
LOCAL
CHARACTER
PUBLIC
REALM
ARCHITECTURE
LOCATION
AND DESIGN OF
TALL AND
LARGE BUILDINGS
HERITAGE ASSETS
AND
ARCHAEOLOGY
HERITAGE-LED
REGENERATION
LONDON VIEW
MANAGEMENT
FRAMEWORK
IMPLEMENTING
THE LONDON VIEW
MANAGEMENT
FRAMEWORK
SAFETY, SECURITY
AND RESILIENCE TO
EMERGENCY

Submitted By:
Amit Jakhad (14010)
Kritika Sharma (14033)
Mansi Pushpakar(14034)
Prerna Chouhan (14044)
Sahil (14048)
“If you’re curious,
London’s an amazing place“

URBAN DESIGN - LONDON

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