Urban Planning Process and Spatial Dynamics

This course provides the students with a comprehensive understanding of spatial and physical dynamics of urban environments and the different approaches to regulating these dynamics. It includes two foci; one focuses on transformation and change over time in the existing urban fabric, its use, and its meaning to different users, covering theories of building adaptability, production and reproduction of public space, stakeholder analysis and engagement, and approaches to adaptive re-use and sustainability. This is a foundation to designing more appropriate, adaptable environments with higher use value to diverse users with higher resilience to change, sensitive to human changing needs, where people are recognized as agents of change to the built form. The other introduces the fundamentals of urban planning process, the role of architects and urban designers as shapers of the city and part of a new urban planning approach that is integrated, inclusive and participatory. It includes learning about approaches to achieve global policies, different planning approaches, processes, tools and methods, scenario making, simulation / assessment tools, design more appropriate, adaptable environments.