Soffeh
Year:2003 | Volume:13 | Issue:36|Papers Count:10

A review of urban design literature reveals different concepts and definitions, both as a discipline and as a profession. It seems as if the lack of consensus on concepts arises to a considerable extent, from neglect of the dynamic nature of urban design. The article tries to examine the evolution of urban design in an attempt to define its main stages of development and explore the prevailing paradigms of each period, thus formulating a conceptual model to explain the evolutionary process of urban design as a whole. This article consists of three major sections. First the theoretical debate on the definition of urban design is reviewed using Ludwig Wittgenstein's notion of 'Family Resemblance' to explain the case. Next the evolution of urban design process is presented and finally the results of the study are discussed. It is indicated that urban design as a field of knowledge has experienced a tremendous amount of theoretical development and methodological sophistication since its birth to its maturity. The stages of evolution are marked by five distinct paradigms: (i) Pre- urban design; (ii) Cosmetic urban design; (iii) Functional urban design; (iv) Perceptual urban design; and (v) Sustainable urban design. It is argued that the disagreement on the nature of urban design is partly due to some sort of 'anachronic' fallacy. Urban design conceptual development has proved to be two-fold encompassing both 'substantive' and 'procedural' aspects. From the former point of view several new components have been identified for the quality concept. In other words, while in the embryonic stages of urban design, the quality concept was merely conceived as a visual phenomenon, it is now widely recognized as a complex multi- faceted phenomenon comprising of four components: objective aesthetic, cognito perceptual aesthetic, functional, and environmental. From the latter point of view the traditional product- oriented approach has shifted towards a more process oriented one. Consequently the notion of Comprehensive Urban Design Control and Guidance Systems has been underlined and urban design tool box now includes new instruments such as the urban design brief, framework/strategy, guide, policy and plan.

The development of microelectronic technology in the last decade is now changing the socio-economic, political and cultural structure of the world-- a process commonly referred to as globalization. Drawing on information and global economic powers, globalization targets the city as its focal point to transform large historical cities into global cities with particular functions. Globalization is the result of information revolution, however, and like its predecessor, the industrial revolution, it has both advantages and disadvantages for different nations-- especially the developing countries. The major concern in terms of urban design is the impacts of telecommunications, global economy, and clash of diverse cultures which can result in neutral urban spaces with no particular national or local identity. By the same token, urban design is introduced as an effective instrument for preservation of the cultural identity in global cities.

Urban spaces in the past were the places where people used to meet, gather and communicate according to their traditions (celebrations, feasts, religious ceremonies, etc.). The urban environment was the place for satisfying social demands, while the family satisfied the natural requirements. In other words, the urban environment was the cultural and the family was the natural territory of man. Contemporary urban open spaces are mainly designed for cars, however. They are not only incapable of meeting the social demands, but also ignore cultural traditions and interrupt social relationships. Thus the outward appearance of urban open spaces have the major role for transportation and the role of people who are supposed to use urban open space as socio- cultural environments has been thoroughly ignored. Furthermore the buildings exterior which plays the key role in the legibility of the urban space is often designed with no relation to this space. To solve the problems caused by this approach, planners try to create open urban spaces with different functions. They try to create legible spaces through design of building exteriors on the basis of cognition, association, and recognition processes. Inspired by traditional fabrics which correspond to cultural requirements, they therefore recommend design of building exteriors in accordance with current living conditions. Thus cultural factors particular to a certain society will make a combination of open and closed spaces which will inevitably correspond to the physical, environmental and psychological requirements of that society. Instead of inappropriate copying of forms, this approach combines the physical attributes of spaces with the cultural needs of society, which will lead to a unique character, a particular identity, and a uniform coherent whole that conforms to its natural environment.

There are several interrelated problems in landscape developments in unstable slopes. These should be classified according to severity and considered before any construction. It is also necessary to monitor and control some stability problems after the construction. Evidently landscape developments, in turn, affect the stability of slopes. Unstable slopes are basically those slopes where distinguishable signs of structural movement can be seen either on the surface area or in the subterranean part. Doubtlessly, it is practically impossible to distinguish between various movements in unstable slopes as all of these movements occur simultaneously or with little precedence in the same slope. There are a number of direct or indirect symptoms which are generally observed during the construction or use of landscape developments, namely: cracking, creeping, shrinking, bulging, and tilting of retaining walls as well as appearance of buried elements such as water pipes and roots.

The article first attempts to explain the current housing situation in the city of Yazd on the basis of quantitative as well as qualitative indices, while comparing it with the whole country. It is indicated that for the period 1963- 1984, there is a progress in housing as compared to other urban areas. The need for housing is then projected for the next 20 years, taking into consideration the population growth and the need for replacing dilapidated housing stock. This shows that the city has to double its housing stock to meet the demand of the next 20 years. It is finally argued that this could only be achieved through a more efficient land management process.

The negative impacts of Modem architecture and planning is experienced both in developed and developing countries. According to morphology scholars, the most appropriate way to avoid the historical discontinuity is to draw on the experience and values inherent in physical structures of the pre- modern city. An effort should thus be made to develop urban spaces with human scale, impressive environments and a sense of place. Drawing on the principles of spatial formation, the modern architecture and urban design in Iran tries to improve edges, skyline, corners, and other attributes in the image of the city- the principles which have been neglected for long. As an implementation policy, reconstruction of Modern architectural values is the key to establishing morphological values, spatial order and identity in the Iranian city. This also concerns functional aspects and promotes concepts such as public territory and appropriate urban activities.

To improve architectural theory and translate it into architectural design is an aim followed in all architecture schools. To this end it is assumed that the student will learn 'basic concepts, verifications and conclusions' on a particular aspect of architecture in each of several architectural studios in the curriculum. These are gradually integrated to form a sound basis for developing aesthetic and functional values in practice. Although there is a complex mental activity during the design process due to the interaction of concepts, verifications and conclusions, but the initial concepts play a decisive role in the process. On this basis this research proposes a method for determining the existence of an initial concept in the mind of the student. It is also anticipated that the use of this method in diverse architectural studios of a certain elementary or advanced curriculum will lead to a clear picture of the evolution in that curriculum.

This article presents some acoustical problems which might arise in different spaces of a building, so as to clarify the fundamental issues which justify the solutions to these problems. Written in a language free of technical jargon, the article is in fact a primer for the layman who has. to make decisions in this area.Avoiding technical details and concentrating on fundamental issues, two major aspects are treated: how to determine the spaces in a certain building which need acoustical treatment, and basic justifications for main design solutions.