Course detail

Urban Design Composition

FA-URK-TEAcad. year: 2023/2024

The course provides the knowledge necessary for a comprehensive understanding of urban design composition in the contemporary context. The course presents the composition of urban structure at different scales – from a detail to a complex in the landscape – and the conception 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 seminars focus on public space as a significant phenomenon and element in the composition of towns and cities. Students deal with the design of public space in their seminar work.
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

Entry knowledge

Not applicable.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The overall evaluation consists of evaluation of quality of the seminar work and its presentation in front of the fellow students. Seminar work consists of a graphical and a textual part, 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.
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.
In the case of a student's apology and with approval of the subject guarantor, personal attendance may be substituted with online attendance in the classes.

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.
  • Students will acquire the important principles of urban design composition.
  • Students will learn to understand the specific importance of town and city (settlement) composition at the present time.
  • Students will be introduced to the significance of public spaces in contemporary towns and cities (settlements).
  • Students will recognise the significance of creative thinking when designing/composing urban elements and complexes.
  • Students will be able to complete the urban design studio.

Study aids

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.

Elearning

eLearning: currently opened course

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme B_A+U Bachelor's 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

  • 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

  • Programme NE_A+U Master's

    specialization --- (till 2022) , 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Seminar

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

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

Syllabus

  1. Conception and design of urban environment, assignment of seminar work
  2. Image of city, analytical methods of its evaluation
  3. Urban design compositions, principles of spatial design of towns and cities
  4. Seminar - selection of locality for designing public space
  5. Urban design composition of selected towns and cities (students´ references)
  6. Urban design composition of selected towns and cities (students´ references)
  7. Public spaces – meaning, creation, evaluation
  8. Seminar - analysing localities for public space 
  9. Seminar – analysing localities for public space
  10. Seminar – designing public space
  11. Seminar – designing public space
  12. Seminar – designing public space
  13. Seminar – designing public space

Elearning

eLearning: currently opened course