Urban Design for Planners

This course introduces physical planners to the approaches, techniques and tools of urban design necessary to structure the spatial and dimensional relationships of the built environment. Through an individual, Boston-based project, students will give spatial definition and form to an urban district through the elaboration of streets, blocks, building morphologies, open space networks and/or design guidelines. This course complements the first year Core Urban Planning Studios at the GSD by concentrating on the design of urban spaces – informed by, but independent of – the demands of quantitative analysis, decision-making frameworks, economic forecasting or the specifics of implementation.

Students will learn urban design strategies for integrating form and program into a framework for research, collaboration, and communication. Students will gain familiarity with the technical tools and representational techniques essential for planners to effectively portray urban redevelopment scenarios.

 

This course will be taught online through Friday, February 4th.