Urban Design Principles

  1. The Elements of Urban Form
    1. The Public Realm
      1. The Space Between Buildings
        1. Streets
          1. Vehicular Corridors
            1. Pedestrian Spaces
              1. Utility Corridors
              2. Plazas
                1. Civic Squares
                  1. Commercial Plazas
                    1. Residential Courtyards
                    2. Parks
                      1. Neighborhood Parks
                        1. Linear Parks
                          1. Pocket Parks
                        2. Importance of Public Life
                          1. Social Interaction
                            1. Community Gathering
                              1. Cultural Events
                                1. Daily Encounters
                                2. Civic Engagement
                                  1. Public Meetings
                                    1. Demonstrations
                                      1. Civic Ceremonies
                                      2. Economic Activity
                                        1. Street Vendors
                                          1. Outdoor Dining
                                            1. Markets
                                        2. Streets as Public Spaces
                                          1. Street Hierarchy and Classification
                                            1. Arterials
                                              1. High-Speed Traffic
                                                1. Regional Connections
                                                  1. Limited Access
                                                  2. Collectors
                                                    1. Moderate Traffic Volumes
                                                      1. Local Distribution
                                                        1. Mixed Functions
                                                        2. Local Streets
                                                          1. Low Traffic Volumes
                                                            1. Residential Access
                                                              1. Pedestrian Priority
                                                            2. The Complete Streets Concept
                                                              1. Multimodal Design
                                                                1. Pedestrian Facilities
                                                                  1. Bicycle Infrastructure
                                                                    1. Public Transit
                                                                      1. Vehicle Lanes
                                                                      2. Accessibility for All Users
                                                                        1. Universal Design
                                                                          1. Age-Friendly Features
                                                                            1. Disability Accommodation
                                                                          2. Streetscape Design Elements
                                                                            1. Sidewalks and Paving
                                                                              1. Material Selection
                                                                                1. Pattern and Texture
                                                                                  1. Maintenance Considerations
                                                                                  2. Street Furniture
                                                                                    1. Benches
                                                                                      1. Placement Strategies
                                                                                        1. Design Standards
                                                                                          1. Maintenance Requirements
                                                                                          2. Trash Receptacles
                                                                                            1. Capacity Planning
                                                                                              1. Aesthetic Integration
                                                                                                1. Collection Access
                                                                                                2. Bike Racks
                                                                                                  1. Security Features
                                                                                                    1. Capacity Planning
                                                                                                      1. Weather Protection
                                                                                                      2. Bus Shelters
                                                                                                        1. Weather Protection
                                                                                                          1. Information Display
                                                                                                            1. Accessibility Features
                                                                                                          2. Lighting
                                                                                                            1. Pedestrian Lighting
                                                                                                              1. Human Scale
                                                                                                                1. Safety Requirements
                                                                                                                  1. Energy Efficiency
                                                                                                                  2. Vehicular Lighting
                                                                                                                    1. Visibility Standards
                                                                                                                      1. Glare Control
                                                                                                                        1. Intersection Lighting
                                                                                                                        2. Decorative Lighting
                                                                                                                          1. Character Enhancement
                                                                                                                            1. Special Events
                                                                                                                              1. Seasonal Displays
                                                                                                                            2. Signage
                                                                                                                              1. Wayfinding
                                                                                                                                1. Directional Signs
                                                                                                                                  1. Distance Information
                                                                                                                                    1. Map Displays
                                                                                                                                    2. Regulatory Signs
                                                                                                                                      1. Traffic Control
                                                                                                                                        1. Parking Regulations
                                                                                                                                          1. Speed Limits
                                                                                                                                          2. Information Signs
                                                                                                                                            1. Historical Markers
                                                                                                                                              1. Cultural Information
                                                                                                                                                1. Business Directories
                                                                                                                                              2. Street Trees and Landscaping
                                                                                                                                                1. Shade and Microclimate
                                                                                                                                                  1. Temperature Reduction
                                                                                                                                                    1. Wind Protection
                                                                                                                                                      1. Air Quality Improvement
                                                                                                                                                      2. Biodiversity
                                                                                                                                                        1. Native Species
                                                                                                                                                          1. Wildlife Habitat
                                                                                                                                                            1. Ecological Corridors
                                                                                                                                                            2. Stormwater Management
                                                                                                                                                              1. Tree Pits
                                                                                                                                                                1. Bioswales
                                                                                                                                                                  1. Permeable Surfaces
                                                                                                                                                            3. Public Squares, Plazas, and Parks
                                                                                                                                                              1. Typologies of Public Space
                                                                                                                                                                1. Civic Squares
                                                                                                                                                                  1. Government Buildings
                                                                                                                                                                    1. Ceremonial Functions
                                                                                                                                                                      1. Public Gatherings
                                                                                                                                                                      2. Commercial Plazas
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Shopping Centers
                                                                                                                                                                          1. Business Districts
                                                                                                                                                                            1. Market Squares
                                                                                                                                                                            2. Neighborhood Parks
                                                                                                                                                                              1. Recreation Facilities
                                                                                                                                                                                1. Playground Equipment
                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Community Gardens
                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Pocket Parks
                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Small-Scale Spaces
                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Residential Areas
                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Infill Development
                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Design for Social Interaction
                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Seating Arrangements
                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Fixed Seating
                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Moveable Furniture
                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Informal Seating
                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Flexible Spaces
                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Multi-Purpose Areas
                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Event Accommodation
                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Seasonal Adaptability
                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Activity Zones
                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Active Recreation
                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Passive Recreation
                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Performance Areas
                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Programming and Activation
                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Events and Markets
                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Farmers Markets
                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Cultural Festivals
                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Seasonal Events
                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Temporary Installations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Art Exhibitions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Pop-Up Activities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Experimental Programs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Permanent Amenities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Play Equipment
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Exercise Facilities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Water Features
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Comfort and Amenities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Shade and Shelter
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Tree Canopy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Built Structures
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Temporary Shade
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Restrooms and Water Fountains
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Public Facilities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Accessibility Standards
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Maintenance Considerations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Food and Beverage
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Cafes and Restaurants
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Food Trucks
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Vending Machines
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Buildings and the Urban Fabric
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Building Typologies and Massing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Rowhouses
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Attached Housing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Street-Facing Entrances
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Private Rear Yards
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Apartment Blocks
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Multi-Story Housing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Shared Entrances
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Courtyard Configurations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Towers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. High-Rise Buildings
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Point Towers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Slab Buildings
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Mixed-Use Buildings
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Ground Floor Commercial
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Upper Floor Residential
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Integrated Parking
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Façade Design and Articulation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Materiality
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Local Materials
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Durability Considerations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Maintenance Requirements
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Rhythm and Repetition
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Window Patterns
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Structural Bays
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Decorative Elements
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Scale and Proportion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Human Scale Elements
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Building Proportions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Detail Resolution
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Building Frontages and Entrances
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Transparency
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Window-to-Wall Ratio
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Visual Connection
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Display Windows
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Accessibility
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Universal Design
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Entrance Design
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Barrier-Free Access
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Active Frontages
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Ground Floor Uses
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Frequent Entrances
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Street Engagement
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Relationship of Buildings to the Street
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Setbacks
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Building Placement
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Front Yard Spaces
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Sidewalk Widening
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Active Edges
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Street-Level Activity
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Building Orientation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Entrance Frequency
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Building Heights
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Street Wall Height
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Transition Zones
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. View Corridors
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Skyline and Roofscape
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Visual Impact
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Landmark Buildings
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Height Transitions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Silhouette Quality
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Roof Gardens and Terraces
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Green Roofs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Accessible Rooftops
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Urban Agriculture
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Landscape and Natural Systems
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Integration of Nature in the City
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Urban Parks
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Central Parks
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Neighborhood Parks
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Linear Parks
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Green Corridors
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Wildlife Corridors
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Pedestrian Greenways
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Bicycle Paths
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Street Trees
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Urban Forest
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Species Selection
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Maintenance Programs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Green Infrastructure
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Green Roofs and Walls
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Extensive Green Roofs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Intensive Green Roofs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Living Walls
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Bioswales and Rain Gardens
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Stormwater Management
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Native Plant Communities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Maintenance Requirements
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Urban Tree Canopy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Canopy Coverage Goals
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Species Diversity
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Climate Benefits
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Permeable Surfaces
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Porous Pavement
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Permeable Pavers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Grass Pavers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Waterfronts and Blue Spaces
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Riverfronts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Waterfront Access
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Flood Management
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Ecological Restoration
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Lakes and Ponds
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Water Quality
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Recreation Opportunities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Wildlife Habitat
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Urban Beaches
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Swimming Areas
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Sand Beaches
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Waterfront Promenades
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Preserving Natural Topography
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Working with Slopes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Terraced Development
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Retaining Walls
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Erosion Control
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Minimizing Earthworks
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Cut and Fill Balance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Natural Drainage
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Soil Conservation

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Go to top

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          5. The Urban Design Process