LNAK10084U Theories of Urban Design

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Landscape Architecture
Content
The course focuses on selected theories and discourses about urban design. Urban design is here understood in a broad sense, encompassing visions and plans for the morphology of cities and the interplay with liveability and ecology. In other words, visions and ideas about the ideal city and good urban life through the last century are in the centre of this course. This is however a broad issue, and thus the course will concentrate on three main themes, which have over time been essential to urban development:

- From pre-modern to post modern design – the balance between tradition and modernity
- Place making and the role of public space
- Sustainable urban development and urban landscapes

Central design paradigms, different approaches and view-points about how cities should be designed and transformed will be discussed. The contemporary city will be our case to throw light on how urban design concepts and models have been operationalised and have influenced practice. Academic reading and writing skills will be trained during the course.
Learning Outcome
After completing the course, the students will know central paradigms, discourses, standpoints and approaches to urban design and development, they will be able to use this knowledge in a critical-reflective way in analysing contemporary cities and in their own design work.

Knowledge:
Students will obtain an understanding of central paradigms, approaches, theories and discourses about urban design in the 20th century and till today, understand central points of discussion between standpoint, their background and context, and their effect on contemporary cities.

Skills:
At the end of the course the students will be trained in basic academic reading and writing skills. They will be able to use urban design theories in a critical-reflective way, and to develop positions of their own.
They will be able to show this ability in oral, written and graphic form.

Competencies:
At the end of the course the students shall be able to use theoretical points of reference when relating to issues of contemporary urban design.
Literature
The main book will be:

Larice, Michael and Elizabeth Macdonald (ed): The Urban Design Reader. The Routledge Urban Reader Series, Routledge. 2. edition forthcoming nov 2012.

Additional literature available during course.
Bachelor degree in landscape architecture, architecture, planning, geography or similar.
Colloquiums including students’ presentations of the day’s reading will be the backbone of the course structure. Focus will be on discussion points between texts, to enhance the understanding of different views and approaches to urban development. This will be supplemented with lectures giving overviews or illustrating how different approaches have been implemented in urban development, and how different approaches affect contemporary cities. Visits to sites in Copenhagen combined with an exercise and an individual assignment will illustrate consequences of design approaches in the contemporary city. It is essential that students complete the assigned readings before each class; each participant is responsible for contributing to the colloquiums.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 46
  • Exam
  • 15
  • Excursions
  • 10
  • Lectures
  • 35
  • Project work
  • 100
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 15 minutes
Oral examination based on assignment and course literature. Discussion of the assignment and other questions count equally.
Exam registration requirements
Student presentation, exercise and assignment conducted succesfully.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examinator
Criteria for exam assesment
See 'Learning Outcome'.