Urban Design Demystified: Separating Fact from Myth

The Big Picture: More than the Sum of Its Parts. More than just Architecture.

Contrary to common belief, urban design is a discipline different to architecture, and whilst the two overlap considerably, urban design and architecture are not the same. Here is how.

Urban design is not architecture, and architecture is not urban design. The two overlap considerably, but they are not the same.

One of the key differences between urban design and architecture is the scale at which they operate. While architecture often focuses on individual buildings or structures, urban design considers the broader context: neighbourhoods, cities, and even entire regions. While both architects and urban designers aim to create functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces, their end goals can be quite different.?

Architects are often tasked with designing structures that meet specific needs and ‘programme’, be it a family home or a corporate office. Their primary concern is the form, function, and sustainability of that particular structure. They prevailingly view the surrounding context from the perspective of that building or structure.

Urban designers, on the other hand, are concerned with how the overall design of an area impacts the community at large. The primary goal is to create cohesive, functional, sustainable and aesthetically pleasing environments. Urban design examines how buildings interact with each other and with public spaces, how streets and pathways connect, and how all these elements interact with human behaviour and come together to shape the experience of inhabitants and visitors. Urban design considers how spaces encourage or hinder social interaction, promote safety, whether a place is sustainable, accessible, inclusive, and so on. They view the building from the perspective of the surrounding context.

Another subtle but crucial distinction lies in the temporal dimension. Architectural projects have a relatively short and well-defined life cycle – from conceptualisation to construction to eventual demolition or reuse. Urban design, on the other hand, is a much longer ongoing process, constantly evolving with the needs and desires of the community. It has to adapt to changing demographics, technological advancements, and shifts in socio-economic and cultural priorities.?

To give you a taster for the temporal dimension of urban design, it is a general rule that:

The Blue (rivers, lakes, canals) and Green networks (parks, forests, open spaces) largely persist for thousands of years and are most difficult and timely to change (think of the resource required to change a riverside or the time needed for a tree to grow to maturity). The Connectivity network (streets, public squares), Urban Blocks (The larger divisions between major streets) and Plots (Individual property divisions within blocks) typically exist somewhere between hundreds to a thousand or two thousand years (think Roman roads which still largely provide the structure of cities like London and wider routes across the country; think also how difficult it is to change the direction or the arrangement of an existing street with various land owners along it not necessarily matching in the time of their development or redevelopment). Buildings, on the other hand, typically last 50-100 years for most modern buildings, with historic or well-constructed buildings enduring for several centuries, and temporary or low-quality structures lasting only a few months, years or a decade. Lastly, Details (Street furniture, signage, lighting, facades, etc.) are the most ephemeral, often changing every 1-10 years.

Consider this: Even if we were to make all buildings in our cities fully sustainable (which accounts for still a very large 17.5% portion of all annual CO2 emissions worldwide), our cities would still not be fully sustainable given the road transport alone accounts for an additional 11.9% (nearly 5.9 billion tons annually). Especially so if we continue processes of urban sprawl, building at low densities and far apart, necessitating and instantiating the car as the primary mode of transportation.

Even if we were to make all buildings in our cities fully sustainable our cities would still not be fully sustainable.

On the other hand, from a health perspective, WHO has concluded in a recent 2022 report that:

“Noncommunicable diseases are a major cause of death and disability around the world. The design of our urban environments limits people’s ability to be active in daily life and limits access to and the availability of healthy food options. Outlets selling alcohol and tobacco products are exacerbating the epidemic in many cities. Research has shown that design can impact today’s greatest challenges to the physical, mental and social well-being of communities around the world.”

"Design can impact today’s greatest challenges to the physical, mental and social well-being of communities around the world."

Enter urban design. Alike architecture where the building’s value is not the sum of its parts, so is urban design’s value amplified from the synergy of its morphological layers when they blend and operate seamlessly together. So, whilst architecture plays a critical role in shaping our buildings, urban design delves deeper into the interconnectedness of these larger layers, our settlements at large and rhythms of urban life.

The value of urban design lies in the synergy of its morphological layers - it is amplified when they blend and operate seamlessly together.

Beyond the Skin-Deep. Beauty beyond Cosmetics.

Contrary to common belief, urban design is not mere window dressing, a surface-level arrangement of streets, buildings, and public spaces. It is not an eleventh hour touch-up or an afterthought. It extends far beyond and those who view it through such a narrow lens fail to grasp its true value and reap the profound benefits it offers.

Urban design is not an eleventh hour touch-up or an afterthought. It is not mere window dressing, or a surface-level arrangement of streets, buildings, and public spaces.

At its very core, urban design is inherently rooted in principles of health and well-being. It should come as no surprise given our democratic society that, through a political lens, health and well-being are the essential litmus test that survives scrutiny more than any other premise to act as first principles for all other subsequent concepts. Even concepts like prosperity, growth, adaptation, resilience and sustainability, if they are to be pursued, are all ultimately justified and trace their rationale back to the core principles of health and well-being.

When done wrongly, urban design can have detrimental consequences. It can lead to disjointed, lifeless environments that fail to meet the needs of their inhabitants. Ill-conceived designs may result in congestion, isolation, and environmental degradation, all of which can erode the very essence of a thriving community. In these instances, the potential for health and well-being to flourish is stifled, and the promise of a better future for our settlements remains unfulfilled.

However, when urban design hits the mark, it becomes the stage where our health and well-being take centrestage. It creates urban spaces that go beyond mere veneer appearance, crafting urban spaces that are not just visually appealing, but memorable, valuable, meaningful, and profoundly beautiful. These well-designed places give rise to a vibrant public realm and enduring sustainable communities that embody the true meaning of beauty beyond cosmetics.

Size Doesn't Matter. Sustainable Development for All Settlements.

Contrary to common belief, urban design isn't exclusive to big cities, nor “urbanity”. Nor is sustainability by the way.

Urban design isn't exclusive to big cities, nor “urbanity”.

So, why do we label it 'urban' design? The reason is historic. Originating in the mid-20th century, forward-thinkers like Jane Jacobs recognised the shortcomings of modernist planning and architecture in shaping liveable environments fit for purpose for their residents and communities. This historic period led to the term 'urban design' being coined as it was specifically to address the unique complexities and issues faced by the newly rapidly expanding cities.

However, as time has passed, our understanding of how settlements more broadly evolve (or decline) has advanced significantly, albeit not necessarily uniformly and consistently distributed across the industry, geography, and demography. From these valuable lessons, we've come to understand that urban design isn't solely about making our largest cities sustainable, and instead it's about ensuring that growth in all settlements follows enduringly sustainable development patterns.

Urban design isn't solely about making our largest cities sustainable. It is about ensuring that growth in all settlements follows enduringly sustainable development patterns.

Urban design is about recognizing that every settlement changes, grows, and adapts over time. Ensuring that this evolution happens in the most sustainable and long-term adaptable way is central to what urban design aims to achieve. This concept transcends city limits and finds its utility with communities of all sizes, from megacities to small towns and even rural areas. It's about empowering communities to take control of their sustainable futures. By embracing good urban design, communities can enhance their well-being and quality of life, protect their most valued environments and unique assets, and contribute to a global effort of sustainability and combating climate change.?

Regardless of its scale, every settlement must play a crucial role in creating a safer, more prosperous, greener, and environmentally friendly and conscious world. And urban design is here to help us achieve just that.

Adaptive Thinking: Strategy and Tactics - Crafting a Vision and Seeing it into Reality

Contrary to common belief, urban design is not limited to quick tweaks and low-hanging fruit, an idea which spurred the patronising term "tactical urbanism." This notion short-sells the expansive scope and depth of urban design as a discipline. At its best, urban design is adaptive, creating strategic visions and employing tactical actions to realise them into reality.

At its core, urban design is a strategic endeavour. It's the art of crafting a vision and then methodically bringing it to life. This vision should not merely scratch the surface but be aspirational, resonate the genuine needs and desires of a community while keeping an unwavering eye on long-term sustainability and resilience.

Strategies are the big-picture roadmaps which play a pivotal role in this process. They serve as the compass, setting clear goals, allocating resources, and ensuring that every decision is well-informed by the big picture. Good urban design helps establish the scale, type and complexity of change, charting the course for a settlement or an area in focus. It's about painting a vivid picture that resonates with the community's heartbeat. Building consensus and garnering support are pivotal to the success of the strategy. Success hinges on rallying everyone - from local voices to big investors. In a world of limited resources, urban design is the art of turning abstract concepts into tangible sustainable places, prioritising and favouring projects that align most closely with the overarching vision.

However, a vision without action remains an unfulfilled dream. Tactics transform these lofty strategies into tangible realities. From street layouts to architectural details, good urban design ensures all elements contribute to realising the overarching vision for the area, rather than resulting in each component being isolated incongruously on their own.

Urban projects typically roll out in phases - optimising resources and minimising disruptions. Think of it as a step-by-step incremental progress towards the ultimate vision. As these steps unfold, it’s vital that they align with the strategy and respond to changing circumstances.

Shatter the myth that urban design is rigid. It's fluid and flexible, a blend of art and science, a marriage of creativity and utility. It thrives on adaptive thinking, seamlessly shifting between big-picture strategy and on-the-ground tactics, letting urban designers pivot as challenges arise yet never losing sight of the end goal. Urban design is both - strategic and tactical at the same time.

Urban design thrives on adaptive thinking, seamlessly shifting between big-picture strategy and on-the-ground tactics. It is both - strategic and tactical at the same time.

Cities are like living beings, constantly evolving and adapting. Given that by 2050 more than two-thirds of the world population will live in urban areas, the skill of changing gears between grand strategy and agile tactics isn't just vital, it is imperative.

Reclaiming Streetscapes: From No Place to Every Place

Contrary to common belief, every space is a 'place'. When we say a location isn't a 'place', we're often implying it's uninviting, poorly designed, and that we wouldn’t like to spend time there or dwell. Yet, it still remains a place. Just not a very nice one.

When we say a location isn't a 'place', we're often implying it's uninviting, poorly designed, and that we wouldn’t like to spend time there or dwell. Yet, it still remains a place. Just not a very nice one.

Our view of 'place' today is distorted by car-centric designs. A staggering 99% of public spaces are dedicated to vehicles, sidelining pedestrians, cyclists, children, and public transport users. The emphasis is largely on the driver and on the driving, failing to include and neglecting the rich tapestry of urban life.

This vehicular bias isn’t functional or useful, even from a purely utilitarian perspective it actually hampers efficiency. As highlighted in the Global Street Design Guide, a multimodal street can move three times more people than that geared towards cars. For cities seeking inclusivity and efficacy, this is a good place to start and focus their efforts on.

As highlighted in the Global Street Design Guide, a multimodal street can move three times more people than that geared towards cars.

To revitalise our streets, we must pivot from seeing them merely as links for transit or places for commerce only. While these functions are crucial, they shouldn't overshadow the human need for social connection, enjoyment, and recreation. Streets should be about more than just getting from A to B; they should also offer destinations in their own right. And those destinations shouldn’t just be about pushing products and services onto people, but instead meeting their most profound needs. Take, for instance, Champs-élysées in Paris, which has undergone periodic transformations to prioritise pedestrians and public events over just vehicular traffic. Or the transformation of New York City's High Line. Once an abandoned railway, it's now a flourishing park and a testament to the power of innovative urban design.

To revitalise our streets, we must pivot from seeing them merely as links for transit or places for commerce only.

It's essential for planners, architects, and community leaders to recognise this potential and act upon it. By dispelling the myth that some places are destined to remain unwelcoming or underutilised non-places, we open the door to a world of possibilities. Reclaiming our streets isn't just about beautification; it's about redefining the very essence of what a 'place' is, ensuring that every public space is a place for everyone, and making best use of the finite land we have. It is also about creating a more inclusive, fair and equal settlement for all of its residents, with places and activities available to them at their doorstep.

By dispelling the myth that some places are destined to remain unwelcoming or underutilised non-places, we open the door to a world of possibilities.

Unpacking Density: High Hopes and Soaring Expectations

Contrary to common belief, urban design and health and well-being aren’t measured in number of storeys or headcount.

Density is a buzzword flung around urban design planning conversations. But what does it really tell us? Surprisingly little. The same density might evoke images of tightly packed city streets, conversely, skyscrapers standing lonely among vast open spaces, or anywhere in between.

The metrics we use to quantify density often twist our perceptions, leaving us with a term that's misleading at best.

Don't let numbers fool you. When we talk about the sense of a place, we need to discuss form, appearance, character, and the spaces between buildings.

It’s less about quantity, more about quality.

For thriving communities, density needs to strike a balance. High enough to keep our favourite local café and crèche bustling, sustain vibrant cultural hotspots, yet low enough to breathe, roam, and relish in the open public spaces.

But here’s the catch: as we go higher, our expectations should too.

Taller structures must offer more than just a view from the top. They should promise a richer quality of life, challenge our design norms, and create enviable living standards and places. It’s a tall order (pun intended), but absolutely necessary.

There’s a lingering stereotype: ‘urban’, ‘tall’ or ‘dense’ equals diminished living. It’s a myth that seeps into planning discussions, setting a low bar before any design conversations even begin. The result? Below the average quality of design and resistance from locals who brace for congestion, overcrowding and the burden on their already existing beloved local places and infrastructure.

It’s time to change the narrative. Cities should captivate, not just accommodate. The real question isn't "How many?" but "How well?" We need designs that allure, not repel, that promise higher quality of life, not just more of the same or worse. After all, the true measure of a place isn't headcount but heartbeat.

While density and height typically dominate conversations in planning, the essence of the conversation is about local economics and visual impact. It's about whether the social, cultural, and other infrastructure of an area can be sustainably supported to sustainably support. It’s about what impact height has on the place's character, legibility, memorability, visual and spatial hierarchy, aesthetic appeal, and the unique story it narrates through its streets, landmarks, and public spaces. True urban design listens and responds.

Light at the End of the Tunnel: More than Patrols and Posts

While many associate bright streetlights with increased security, the reality is more intricate. Streetlights, though commonly linked to safety, offer only a fraction of the solution. Genuine urban safety emerges from active, lively streets rather than mere illumination or enforcement.

The notion of a police presence at every juncture, although often desirable, is unaffordable. A more pragmatic and effective approach leans on the inherent surveillance of bustling streets - where community interactions naturally deter potential misdeeds.

CCTV? Their utility predominantly lies in recording but not necessarily preventing.

The epitome of urban safety, deterring ad hoc crime and anti-social behaviour, rests not in lighting and 24/7 policing, but in streets teeming with life, where each individual, perhaps unknowingly, contributes to collective vigilance and security. A meld of cultural richness, active streets, beyond mere ambiance, offer collective vigilance and long-term cost-effective security.

Cost or Investment: Designing for Prosperity, Not Expenditure

Contrary to common belief, urban design isn't just about high quality expensive materials and aesthetics. It's about smart spending and creating spaces that welcome everyone, regardless of the size of their wallet or background.

There's a myth that high-quality urban design is a luxury only the wealthy can afford. But dig a little deeper and you'll find that well-thought-out design is actually a ladder to a better quality of life for those who need it most. It's about cutting down long-term maintenance costs, fostering health, and building communities, not expensive beautiful buildings.

Sure, the well-off have the means to explore other options, but smart urban design isn't just about saving a few bucks. It's about making cities sustainable, habitable places that continue to thrive long after the planners have moved on.

Good urban design strikes a balance between cost and well-being. It's not about high-priced materials or shining facades, but about crafting places that are attractive, affordable, robust, and easy to maintain. It’s about creating a canvas for prosperity, where everyone gets to paint a part of the bigger picture.

Community is at the heart of this conversation. When locals have a say in the design process, magic happens. Spaces evolve to meet the needs of the people who live, work, and play there. Urban design isn’t just about building; it’s about engaging in a dialogue with communities and potential future residents, working together to invest in a brighter, inclusive future.

Urban design isn’t just a spending spree; it’s an investment in the future. It’s about making choices that benefit everyone, from the bustling city centre to the quiet residential street. It’s about crafting a narrative of investment that leads to a prosperous, inclusive city where everyone feels at home.

The True North of Sustainable Development

Contrary to common belief, sustainable development doesn’t happen without (good) urban design. Just as “good design is inclusive design”, sustainable development is (good) urban design. Dive deeper and you’ll see the foundations of sustainability are anchored in robust urban design principles. So, why is it that urban designers, armed with the in-depth nuanced understanding of these principles, often find themselves sidelined in the broader planning system?

Sustainable development is good urban design. It doesn't happen without (good) urban design.

In a world teeming with complex challenges, the core tenets of sustainable development - resilience, adaptability, high-quality accommodation, and a keen sense of place - are more critical than ever. Yet, the planning balance often falters. It shies away from offering us sustainable vistas and, instead, offers hastily made decisions influenced by politics or the demand du jour. The NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) might wax eloquent about the imperatives of quality urban design - “The creation of high quality, beautiful and sustainable buildings and places is fundamental to what the planning and development process should achieve” - yet it doesn’t seem to go far enough in instantiating it as an absolute necessity and the reality presents a different picture. Why the disconnect between vision and execution? The guiding principles remain non-binding, their implementation is left to chance, and the voices of urban designers - the true custodians of these principles - are marginalised.

The discord is palpable. On one hand, we have a system that recognizes the significance of urban design but, on the other, it entrusts its realisation to those who might lack the expertise, experience, or even the vision to bring it to life. Political interjections further muddy the waters. Lofty sustainable objectives are sometimes sacrificed at the altar of short-term gains, whether it’s appeasing demands for more affordable housing, navigating local concerns about parking, or adjusting building heights to placate a vocal few.

These last-minute course corrections may satiate immediate concerns, but they undermine the larger goal - settlements designed in a sustainable way.

Determining sustainable development in planning without overarching good urban design is akin to telling a story with characters and scenes but no plot to connect them. It results in a design that’s fragmented, inconsistent, potentially biassed, and devoid of clarity and fairness. The repercussions? We end up with cities that might tick boxes on paper but miss the mark in reality.

Those who misunderstand or downplay the importance of urban design are not merely missing the bigger picture; they're jeopardising the very essence of what makes cities livable, sustainable, and genuinely “beautiful”. It’s about crafting environments that not only stand the test of time but also enhance the quality of life for all inhabitants, irrespective of socio-economic backgrounds or personal challenges. As our settlements grow and evolve, we must rise above short-term views and political appeasements.

Every political compromise, every sidelined expert, every diluted principle takes us one step away from sustainable development.

The path to sustainable development is clear, and it's paved with the principles of good urban design. Let's not lose our way.