Course detail

Urban Design Composition

FA-URK-TEAcad. year: 2022/2023

The course provides the knowledge necessary for a comprehensive understanding of urban design composition in the contemporary context. The course deals with the composition of urban structure at different scales – from a detail to a complex in the landscape – as well as with the concept and design of urban space. The principles of spatial design in urban space and the application of these principles in contemporary towns and cities (settlements) are discussed. Part of the lectures deal with public space as a significant phenomenon and element in the composition of towns and cities. In the seminars, students deal with public space in its particular form (simple study including the design of space).
In the study programmes “Architecture and Urban Design” the course is part of the theoretical courses.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

1

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. arch. Maxmilian Wittmann, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Urban Design (UU)

Offered to foreign students

Of all faculties

Learning outcomes of the course unit

  • Students will familiarize themselves with the important principles of urban design composition.
  • Students will learn the specific importance of town and city composition (settlement) at the present time.
  • Students will be introduced to the significance of public spaces in contemporary towns and cities (settlement).
  • Students will reconsider the significance of creative thinking when designing/composing urban elements and complexes.
  • Students will be ready to do urban design studio.

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Presented topics represent the theoretical background necessary to have comprehensive understanding of urban design composition in the contemporary context. Seminars, the practical part of the course, are focused on the important phenomenon and element of urban structure of contemporary settlements, which is public space. The locality used for the design in the seminar work might be coordinated with the locality designed in the design studio or might be new. The seminars include working with greenery in public space which is consulted with the filed specialist. Works prepared in the seminars are discussed with the other students who develop their skills to present and defend their work. The course is conceived as a support for the design studio work.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

The overall evaluation consists of a written exam and evaluation of the seminar work. The final grade comprises 2/3 evaluation of written exam and 1/3 evaluation of seminar work. Seminar work consists of graphical and textual parts, the extent and required features are specified in the written assignment which the students obtain at the beginning of the semester. The evaluation of seminars reflects students' regular work. Taking occasional tests at the lectures may increase the evaluation of written exam by up to 10 % (2 × 5).

Course curriculum

Course syllabus:
  1. Concept and design of urban environment
  2. Image of city, analytical methods of evaluation
  3. Principles of spatial design of towns and cities 1
  4. Principles of spatial design of towns and cities 2
  5. Urban design composition of selected towns and cities (examples I.)
  6. Urban design composition of selected towns and cities (examples II.), introduction to the seminars
  7. Public spaces – meaning, creation, evaluation (Europe)
  8. Important public spaces in USA (New York)
  9. Seminar – public space
  10. Seminar – public space
  11. Landscape, landscape and settlement composition, landscape specifics (Praha, Brno…)
  12. Seminar – public space
  13. Seminar – public space

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim of this course is to teach the students how to perceive the issue of urban design composition and to introduce them to the principles of designing urban space. Students are introduced to the principles of spatial design of towns and cities and their application in contemporary settlements. The aim of the course, which is conceived as a support for the design studio work, is also to teach the students how to work with the phenomenon of public space (including greenery). This topic is dealt with in the seminars. The aim of the course is also to enhance students' critical and creative thinking that is developed during the discussions in the seminars.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Attending lectures is not compulsory, attending seminars is compulsory, even if students do not present their seminar work. Consultation of seminar works is possible during seminars. Absences cannot be compensated; they can be only excused for serious reasons. The lectures may be complemented by interim tests.Upon the agreement with the teacher, the absences in the classroom can be compensated via online participation.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

GEHL, Jan. Cities for People. Island Press, 2010. ISBN: 9781597265737. (EN)
GEHL, Jan, GEMZØE, Lars. New City Spaces. Danish Architecture Press, 2003. ISBN: 9788774072935. (EN)
GEHL, Jan. Life Between Buildings. Island Press, 2011. ISBN: 9781597268271. (EN)
CHILDS, Mark C. Urban composition: developing community through design. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2013. ISBN: 9781616892036. (EN)
JACOBS, Jane. The Death and Life of Great American Cities. Vintage Books, 1992. ISBN: 9780679741954. (EN)
KASPRISIN, Ron. Urban Design: composition of complexity. New York, Routledge, 2019. ISBN: 9781138085633 (EN)
KRIER, Leon. Architecture Choice or Fate. Papadakis, 2007. ISBN: 9781901092752. (EN)
LYNCH, Kevin. The Image of The City. MIT Press, 1960. ISBN: 9780262620017. (EN)
MOUGHTIN, C. Urban design: street and square. Oxford, Architectural Press, 2003 (EN)
SITTE, Camillo. The Art of Building Cities: City Building According to Its Artistic Fundamentals. Martino Fine Books, 2013. ISBN: 9781614275244. (EN)
THOMPSON, Catharine Ward, TRAVLOU, Penny. Open Space: People Space. New York: Taylor and Francis, 2007. ISBN: 9780203961827. (EN)
URBAN DESING ALLIANCE. Urban Design Compendium. English Partnership/The Housing Corporation, 2007. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BX_A+U Bachelor's

    branch ARCH , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective

  • Programme NE_A+U Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Seminar

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. arch. Maxmilian Wittmann, Ph.D.