Course detail
Urban Design Composition
FA-URK-TEAcad. year: 2025/2026
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
Number of ECTS credits
Mode of study
Department
Offered to foreign students
Entry knowledge
Rules for evaluation and completion of the course
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
- 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
Prerequisites and corequisites
Basic literature
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
Classification of course in study plans
- Programme NE_A+U Master's
specialization --- (2023) , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
specialization --- (2023) , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective - Programme BX_A+U Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
- Programme NE_A+U Master's 1 year of study, winter semester, elective