PPT

1. 1. urban block & public realm
2. streets & markets
3. square, plazas & open spaces
4. urban form & landscape
5. DENSITY

2. Urban block
Public realm StreetsMarketsSquares and plazas Open
spaces DensityUrban form Landscape

3. URBAN SPACE
‘Urban Space’ –Public Spaces within cities, created through
arrangement of buildings and other built elements.
• Related to concept of ‘Public Realm --Public Spaces, available
for free use.
• Focus of ‘Urban Activity’
• Self contained Island
• Either related to neighboring spaces or may be interconnected.
• URBAN SPACE is actual physical enclosure or its strong articulation by urban forms. e.g.
In a plaza, we must be sufficiently enclosed on all sides so that our attention focuses on
the space as an entity

4. TYPES OF ‘URBAN SPACE’ : STREETS,SQUARES,PRECINCTS
• STREETS (Roads,Paths,Avenues,Lanes,Alleys) : Corridors of Space, Channels (Paths); A
public thoroughfare in the built environment, a public parcel of land adjoining buildings
in an urban context, on which people may freely assemble, interact, and move about.
• Streets: dynamic spaces with a sense of movement
• Squares: static spaces with less sense of movement
• ‘street’ denotes a delimited surface characterized by an extended area lined with
buildings on either side.

5. TYPES OF ‘URBAN SPACE’ : STREETS,SQUARES,PRECINCTS
• In urban design , urban space varies from small courtyards to grand urban plazas
depending upon their scale and activities.
• Squares / Piazza / Plaza / Place: Reservoirs of Space, Rooms (Nodes),
• Square--planned open area in a city, originally rectangular in shape; ‘hardscapes’
suitable for open markets, music concerts, community gatherings, political rallies, and
other events that require firm ground.
‘Three elements’ of URBAN SQUARE Surrounding structures, floor and the Imaginary
sphere of the sky above
Classification of Squares
1. Closed Square – Space self contained
2. Dominated Square – Space directed
3. Nuclear Square – Space formed around a centre
4. Grouped Squares – Space units combined
5. Amorphous Square – Space unlimited
6. Squares doesn't represent only one pure type, but very often bears the characteristics
of two of these types
• Plaza–a Spanish word describes an open urban public space. At times of crisis or
celebrations, it was the space where a large crowd might gather.
• Piazza--an open square in a city, found in Italy. The term is roughly equivalent to the
Spanish Plaza.
• Place–French equivalent of ‘plaza, piazza.

6. TYPES OF ‘URBAN SPACE’ : STREETS,SQUARES,PRECINCTS
• What is a ‘Precinct’ ?
• A well-defined large urban zone that includes several urban spaces but has certain
consistent visual or use characteristics
• General usage: Area around a place or a building, which is enclosed by a wall
• British usage: Area in a town/city, which is closed to traffic
• American usage: One of the districts into which a city is divided for election purposes

7. ‘OPEN SPACE’ VS. ‘URBAN SPACE’
• ‘Open Space’ – Areas of greenery in or near the city -- natural, park-like • ‘Urban Space’
– Public Spaces within cities, created through arrangement of buildings and other built
elements.

8. BUILDING
IDENTIFICATION:
• • Buildings are the most pronounced elements of urban design.
• • They shape and articulate space by forming the street walls of the city.
• • Well-designed buildings and groups of buildings work together to create a sense of
place.
CHARACTERISTICS:
• • Variation in building height, volume and the way in which buildings are grouped
together
• • Contour
• • Facade Design-main doors /openings, other fenestration, material, etc.
ROLE:
• • Height & Contour define sense of enclosure and visibility
• • Openings lead to spatial structuring
• • Facade Designs animate & personalize urban space
• • Building forms are guided by specific uses of buildings.
• • As they have an impact on the streetscape, it is important that their forms respond to
their surroundings.

9. PUBLIC SPACES
• IDENTIFICATION:
• Great public spaces are the living room of the city - the place where people come
together to enjoy the city and each other. • Public spaces make high quality life in the
city possible - they form the stage and backdrop to the drama of life. • Public spaces
range from grand central plazas and squares, to small, local neighborhood parks
• CHARACTERISTICS:
• • Promotes human contact and social activities. • Is safe, welcoming, and
accommodating for all users. • Has design and architectural features that are visually
interesting. • Promotes community involvement. • Reflects the local culture or history.
• Relates well to bordering uses. • Is well maintained. • Has a unique or special
character.
• ROLE:
• • Open spaces can be grand central plazas and squares, or small, lush pocket parks.
They can also be soothing sanctuaries amid the urban hurly-burly or packed with
people. • These spaces let you soak in the sun, enjoy the lush greenery and interact
with fellow city dwellers at these open spaces. • These open spaces also act as
landmarks and unique setting for events and celebrations.

10. STREETS
• IDENTIFICATION:
• • These are the connections between spaces and places, as well as being spaces
themselves. • Other pedestrian networks include pedestrian malls, promenades,
covered walkways and link-ways, through-block links and overhead linkages.
• CHARACTERISTICS:
• • They are defined by their physical dimension and character as well as the size, scale,
and character of the buildings that line them. • The pattern of the street network is
part of what defines a city and what makes each city unique.
• ROLE:
• Well-connected pedestrian networks to allow people to move easily and comfortably
within the city, and facilitate the use of public transportation. • It connects open
spaces, points of interest and parks, and can be at different levels, allowing you to
appreciate the city from different perspectives.

11. LANDSCAPE
• IDENTIFICATION:
• • It is the green part of the city that weaves throughout, in the form of urban parks,
street trees, plants, flowers, and water in many forms. • Green spaces in cities range
from grand parks to small intimate pocket parks. • The landscape helps define the
character and beauty of a city and creates soft, contrasting spaces and elements.
• CHARACTERISTICS:
• • Levels, Flat or Sloping • Pattern • Surface texture
• ROLE:
• • Level moulds scale, give directionality, focus, emphasis. • Texture suggests (supports /
prohibits) nature of activity – pedestrian, vehicular / slow, fast • Pattern moulds
movement paths, gives direction • Landscape plays an important role in our urban
design, and developments are encouraged to provide greenery (on the ground or
skyrise) in the city.
• Other than its environmental benefits— helping to clean the air and mitigating the
urban heat island effect—greenery can help shape the streetscape, reinforce the
character of a place, and make the public spaces more comfortable by providing shade