18 Urban Design Principles John Spacey, updated on
Urban design principles are guidelines that a city adopts to direct its long term strategy. Urban designers, architectural firms and neighborhoods may also adopt principles to guide their contributions to urban design. The following are common examples.
Beautiful CitiesCreating a beautiful city is a primary goal.Blue Green CitiesBlue and green spaces such as waterfront areas and parks are a priority.CompactnessReduce the distances between things by choosing compact designs. For example, wide highways and parking lots are generally less compact than light rail for equivalent passenger capacity.Complete NeighborhoodsThe principle that people can live, work and receive basic services all within their neighborhood. Associated with village-like neighborhoods and mixed zoning.ConvivialityNeighborhoods are social and lively with spaces for personal solace, companionship, family and community.Ease Of MovementCities are easy to transverse by walking and transportation is accessible and efficient.EfficiencyCities are energy and resource efficient.Health & SafetyHealth and safety is a priority. For example, air quality is a fundamental goal.Heritage ConservationA city's history and historic architecture of great value is preserved.Human ScaleCities are built at human scale.Laissez Faire ArchitectureBuilding codes that place unreasonable restrictions on architecture are detrimental to a city as they prevent creative expression.Neighborhood CharacterNeighborhoods have a unique character that has value.People FirstCities are built for people. Machines such as cars and industrial sites tend to detract from a city. Where they are required, they are designed to take the background. For example, an underground parking lot as opposed to a parking lot on prime waterfront land.Public SpaceNatural areas, beaches, parks, public squares and streets that are open to the public have a profound value to a city.Quality Of LifeQuality of life as measured by people's self reported happiness is a primary goal of urban design. A high quality of life tends to be a virtuous cycle that attracts greater economic activity and investment leading to improved quality of life.Regional IntegrationNeighborhoods are integrated with cities and cities are integrated with regions. For example, transportation has little value without regional links.Sustainable DesignUrban design is a type of sustainable design that uses techniques such as green technology.Transition DesignCities tend to change slowly and can't be transformed overnight. Urban design is a practical discipline that takes transitional steps towards goals.CitiesThis is the complete list of articles we have written about cities.If you enjoyed this page, please consider bookmarking Simplicable.
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