Syllabus 2008/2009 ASBF01

Syllabus academic year 2008/2009
(Created 2008-07-17.)

URBAN DESIGN

ASBF01

Higher education credits: 9. Grading scale: UG. Level: G2 (First level). Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish. ASBF01 overlap following cours/es: ASB191. Alternative for: A3. Optional for: L4su, V4tp. Course coordinator: Assistant professor Per Björkeroth, Per.Bjorkeroth@arkitektur.lth.se, Inst för arkitektur och byggd miljö. The course might be cancelled if the numer of applicants is less than 10. Assessment: Approved assignment tasks, approved examination project and at least 80% attendance at seminars, lectures and group presentations. The qualities of the project assignment and presentation are evaluated and discussed by an examination team comprised of the course examiner, lecturers and external critics after which the examiner decides if the project is considered to fulfil the requirements for a pass. In the case of a non-pass the student has the right to a new examination opportunity after any necessary amendments or re-formulation of the project. The examiner informs the student as to what is required in order to achieve a pass.

Aim
The aim of the course is to support the students learning about urban design in theory and practice, and practice the ability to design a new urban structure in an urban context.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

be able to characterize the basic elements of urban structure (streets, places, sites, blocks of streets and green structures);
be able to relate the physical environment to urban patterns of life.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

be able to demonstrate the ability to develop a strategy for a functioning urban structure;
be able to demonstrate the ability to analyse and describe an existing urban structure;
be able to demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge about the basic elements of urban structure in a design assignment;
be able to demonstrate the ability to design a proposal for a new district in a transformation area;
be able to demonstrate the ability to communicate ones project, both orally and visually.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

be able to evaluate urban structure from physical and social aspects;
be able to demonstrate the ability to take into account the relevant scientific, social, aesthetic and ethical aspects from a comprehensive perspective;
be able to take into account the interplay between people and the physical environment;
be able to demonstrate the prerequisites to base ones work on the demands for long-term and functional solutions of high quality and good design.

Contents
The focus of this course is on urban design from artistic and humanistic points of departure. The main part of the course is a design task for a limited urban space, where the student works with the detail design of streets, squares, buildings and blocks of streets. The tuition takes up fundamental aspects of urban planning, such as urban context and movement patterns, the form of boundaries between private and public space, the design of public places, prerequisites for attractive housing, the mixing of functions and attractive architectural character. A study tour is arranged in order to expand the students frames of reference and develop their ability to discuss and analyse urban space. Tuition is carried out in the form of lectures, group work, presentations, literature study and seminars.

Literature
Course compendium and supplementary literature, the contents of which vary from year to year.