Urban Design Principles

  1. Designing for Specific Outcomes
    1. Safety and Security
      1. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
        1. Natural Surveillance
          1. Eyes on the Street
            1. Clear Sightlines
              1. Lighting Design
              2. Natural Access Control
                1. Controlled Entry Points
                  1. Territorial Definition
                    1. Barrier Design
                    2. Territorial Reinforcement
                      1. Ownership Expression
                        1. Boundary Definition
                          1. Community Pride
                          2. Maintenance and Management
                            1. Regular Upkeep
                              1. Rapid Repair
                                1. Community Stewardship
                              2. Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Calming
                                1. Speed Reduction Measures
                                  1. Speed Bumps
                                    1. Chicanes
                                      1. Narrowed Roadways
                                      2. Safe Crossings
                                        1. Marked Crosswalks
                                          1. Traffic Signals
                                            1. Pedestrian Islands
                                            2. Intersection Design
                                              1. Visibility Improvements
                                                1. Turning Radii
                                                  1. Signal Timing
                                                2. Emergency Access and Evacuation
                                                  1. Emergency Vehicle Access
                                                    1. Adequate Road Widths
                                                      1. Clear Routes
                                                        1. Turning Requirements
                                                        2. Evacuation Planning
                                                          1. Emergency Routes
                                                            1. Assembly Points
                                                              1. Wayfinding Systems
                                                          2. Sustainability and Resilience
                                                            1. Environmentally Responsive Design
                                                              1. Solar Orientation
                                                                1. Building Placement
                                                                  1. Street Orientation
                                                                    1. Shading Strategies
                                                                    2. Passive Ventilation
                                                                      1. Wind Patterns
                                                                        1. Natural Cooling
                                                                          1. Air Quality
                                                                          2. Energy Efficiency
                                                                            1. Building Performance
                                                                              1. District Energy Systems
                                                                                1. Renewable Energy
                                                                              2. Designing for Climate Change Adaptation
                                                                                1. Flood Resilience
                                                                                  1. Flood-Resistant Design
                                                                                    1. Drainage Systems
                                                                                      1. Emergency Planning
                                                                                      2. Heat Island Mitigation
                                                                                        1. Cool Surfaces
                                                                                          1. Vegetation
                                                                                            1. Shade Structures
                                                                                            2. Extreme Weather Preparedness
                                                                                              1. Storm Resistance
                                                                                                1. Backup Systems
                                                                                                  1. Community Shelters
                                                                                                2. Promoting Sustainable Transportation
                                                                                                  1. Public Transit Integration
                                                                                                    1. Transit-Oriented Development
                                                                                                      1. Station Design
                                                                                                        1. Feeder Systems
                                                                                                        2. Non-Motorized Transport
                                                                                                          1. Walking Infrastructure
                                                                                                            1. Cycling Networks
                                                                                                              1. Micro-Mobility
                                                                                                              2. Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
                                                                                                                1. Charging Stations
                                                                                                                  1. Grid Integration
                                                                                                                    1. Parking Design
                                                                                                                  2. Water-Sensitive Urban Design
                                                                                                                    1. Stormwater Management
                                                                                                                      1. Green Infrastructure
                                                                                                                        1. Retention Systems
                                                                                                                          1. Treatment Facilities
                                                                                                                          2. Water Conservation
                                                                                                                            1. Rainwater Harvesting
                                                                                                                              1. Greywater Systems
                                                                                                                                1. Efficient Irrigation
                                                                                                                                2. Water Quality Protection
                                                                                                                                  1. Source Protection
                                                                                                                                    1. Treatment Systems
                                                                                                                                      1. Monitoring Programs
                                                                                                                                    2. Waste Management Integration
                                                                                                                                      1. Collection Systems
                                                                                                                                        1. Efficient Routes
                                                                                                                                          1. Storage Facilities
                                                                                                                                            1. Separation Requirements
                                                                                                                                            2. Recycling Infrastructure
                                                                                                                                              1. Collection Points
                                                                                                                                                1. Processing Facilities
                                                                                                                                                  1. Community Programs
                                                                                                                                                  2. Circular Economy Principles
                                                                                                                                                    1. Waste Reduction
                                                                                                                                                      1. Reuse Strategies
                                                                                                                                                        1. Local Processing
                                                                                                                                                    2. Health and Well-being
                                                                                                                                                      1. Active Design Principles
                                                                                                                                                        1. Encouraging Walking and Cycling
                                                                                                                                                          1. Safe Routes
                                                                                                                                                            1. Attractive Pathways
                                                                                                                                                              1. Destination Connectivity
                                                                                                                                                              2. Stairs and Physical Activity
                                                                                                                                                                1. Stair Visibility
                                                                                                                                                                  1. Attractive Stairways
                                                                                                                                                                    1. Exercise Equipment
                                                                                                                                                                    2. Recreation Facilities
                                                                                                                                                                      1. Sports Fields
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Fitness Equipment
                                                                                                                                                                          1. Activity Programs
                                                                                                                                                                        2. Access to Green Space and Recreation
                                                                                                                                                                          1. Proximity to Parks
                                                                                                                                                                            1. Walking Distance Standards
                                                                                                                                                                              1. Park Distribution
                                                                                                                                                                                1. Size Requirements
                                                                                                                                                                                2. Recreational Facilities
                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Playgrounds
                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Sports Courts
                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Community Centers
                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Nature Access
                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Urban Forests
                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Water Features
                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Wildlife Viewing
                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Reducing Environmental Stressors
                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Air Pollution
                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Traffic Reduction
                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Green Buffers
                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Emission Controls
                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Noise Pollution
                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Sound Barriers
                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Quiet Zones
                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Building Design
                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Light Pollution
                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Appropriate Lighting
                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Dark Sky Principles
                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Circadian Health
                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Promoting Mental Health through Design
                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Biophilic Design
                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Natural Elements
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Natural Light
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Natural Materials
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Spaces for Reflection and Relaxation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Quiet Spaces
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Meditation Gardens
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Contemplative Design
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Social Connection Opportunities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Community Spaces
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Gathering Places
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Interaction Design
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Equity and Social Inclusion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Universal Design and Accessibility
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Barrier-Free Environments
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Ramp Access
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Wide Pathways
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Tactile Surfaces
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Inclusive Playgrounds
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Accessible Equipment
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Sensory Play
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Multi-Age Design
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Wayfinding for All
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Clear Signage
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Audio Signals
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Braille Information
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Designing for All Ages and Abilities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Child-Friendly Design
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Safe Play Areas
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Traffic Calming
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Educational Opportunities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Age-Friendly Cities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Senior-Friendly Features
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Rest Areas
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Healthcare Access
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Disability Accommodation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Mobility Assistance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Sensory Considerations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Cognitive Accessibility
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Creating Inclusive Public Spaces
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Multicultural Spaces
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Cultural Expression
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Diverse Programming
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Community Representation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Gender-Inclusive Design
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Safety Considerations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Facility Design
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Programming Diversity
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Economic Inclusion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Affordable Activities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Free Public Spaces
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Economic Opportunities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Addressing Gentrification and Displacement
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Affordable Housing Strategies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Inclusionary Zoning
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Housing Trust Funds
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Rent Stabilization
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Community Land Trusts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Permanent Affordability
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Community Control
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Wealth Building
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Anti-Displacement Policies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Tenant Protections
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Small Business Support
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Cultural Preservation

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  5. The Urban Design Process

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  7. Contemporary Issues and Future Directions