How do you control costs and risks in urban design projects?

1 Budgeting and estimating

One of the first steps in any urban design project is to establish a realistic and detailed budget and estimate. This will help you define the scope, schedule, and resources of the project, as well as identify potential sources of funding and revenue. You can use various methods and software to create and update your budget and estimate, such as cost-benefit analysis, life-cycle costing, value engineering, and parametric estimating. You should also review and revise your budget and estimate regularly, especially when there are changes in the project scope, design, or market conditions.

2 Risk assessment and mitigation

Another key step in any urban design project is to identify and evaluate the potential risks that could affect the project's objectives, quality, and performance. These risks could include technical, environmental, social, legal, financial, or political factors. You can use tools such as risk matrices, checklists, SWOT analysis, and scenario planning to assess the likelihood and impact of each risk, and to develop appropriate mitigation strategies. You should also monitor and communicate the risks throughout the project, and be prepared to respond to any issues or crises that may arise.

3 Contracting and procurement

A third important step in any urban design project is to select and manage the contractors and suppliers that will provide the materials, equipment, and services for the project. You need to ensure that the contracting and procurement process is fair, transparent, and competitive, and that it aligns with the project's goals, budget, and schedule. You can use tools such as tender documents, contracts, specifications, and quality assurance plans to define the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of each party, and to protect your interests and rights. You should also supervise and evaluate the performance of the contractors and suppliers, and resolve any disputes or claims that may occur.

5 Design review and evaluation

A fifth crucial step in any urban design project is to review and evaluate the design quality and performance of the project, both during and after the implementation. You need to ensure that the design meets the project's objectives, standards, and criteria, and that it responds to the site context, functions, and aesthetics. You can use tools such as design guidelines, peer reviews, audits, and post-occupancy evaluations to assess and improve the design quality and performance, and to identify the strengths, weaknesses, and lessons learned from the project. You should also share and disseminate the design results and impacts with the stakeholders and the public.

6 Innovation and sustainability

A sixth and final step in any urban design project is to explore and apply the opportunities and challenges for innovation and sustainability in the project. You need to seek and adopt the best practices, technologies, and solutions that can enhance the project's creativity, efficiency, and resilience, and that can address the current and future needs and issues of the urban environment and society. You can use tools such as research, benchmarking, testing, and monitoring to investigate and implement the innovation and sustainability aspects of the project, and to measure and demonstrate their benefits and values.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?