2.1 pl 4002_framework of ud theory 09
DESCRIPTION
Urban design theoryTRANSCRIPT
Week #4
PL 4002 Introduction to Urban Design / Module 2.1 1
Module 2.1
FRAMEWORK OFURBAN DESIGN THEORY
Denny Zulkaidi
PL 4002 INTRODUCTION TO URBAN DESIGN
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OBJECTIVE & CONTENT
OBJECTIVE: To understand the framework of urban design theory To recognize a number of normative and substantive theories in
urban design
CONTENT:1. Definition and scope of theory
2. Classification of urban design theory
3. The framework of urban design theory
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1. DEFINITION AND SCOPE OF THEORY
Definition:
“A system of ideas or statements -a mental schema- that is believed
to describe and explain a phenomenon or a group of phenomena”
(Lang 1987: 13).
“A system of ideas that is held as an explanation for a phenomenon
or a group of facts” (Rowe 1989: 165)
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The Functions of Theory
To describe the world and explain the accumulation of facts about the world
To formulate structure of concept to arrange and explain observation
“A theory cannot be proved.
It stands until its disapproved” (Lang 1987: 14)
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Association of Theory(Lang 1987: 13)
Model: “A way of perceiving reality that imposes a structure on that
reality” (e.g. environmental design model) Hypothesis:
“A prediction that a certain outcome will be achieved by a certain action”
“an imaginative preconception of what the truth may be” (Medawar 1983, in Lang 1987)
Normative Theory: “a prescription for action” (e.g. Design principles, standards,
manifestoes) “Based on an ideological position on what the world, good
architecture, landscapes, and urban design should be”
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Types of Models(Rowe 1989: 166-7)
Descriptive models “..explanation of phenomena in the domain of interest”
Predictive models “..to give a forecast of the temporal disposition of the phenomenon under
study” Extrapolative: temporal change process are represented by a continuation of
past trends Conditional: mechanism of cause and effect governing the change process is
specified in the general form (if x.., then y..) Explorative models
“..to allow the discovery, by systematic speculation, of realities other than the one at hand that may be logically possible”
Planning models “..developed for simulating the effects of different decisions about an
environment and behavior setting, and evaluating those decisions or strategies against a specified goal structure..”
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Substance of Theory
Description (Descriptive Theory) Explanation (Explanatory Theory):
consistent and confirms other descriptions Creation (Design Theory):
concept of structure to arrange and explain observations
Strengths/utilities:Concept of structure is used to : Describe/explain what is going on Predict what will happen
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Value and Power of Theory(Lang 1985: 14)
Depends on its power to explain and predict
Successful theory : simple but powerful generalization about the world and how it
operates enable us to predict accurately future operation.
“Design may work in theory, but not [necessarily] in practice”
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Theory Building
To understand and recognize the complexity and chaos of environment as a consequence of variety of life
Able to deal with various issues related to design Able to make prediction that may occur as an impact of an urban
design product
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2. CLASSIFICATION OF THEORY
Positive Theory Normative Theory Substantive Theory
Descriptive Explanatory
Procedural Theory
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Positive Theory
Positive statements, assertions about reality. …untested act of faith, or ideally, one that has been tested using scientific methods (Lang 1987 13)
Based on the occurrence of elements of the world (invariant; highly degree of regularity; or random), to predict how these patterns will occur
Accumulation of facts about the world
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Positive Theory (Lang 1987: 14)
“intrinsically tentative and subject to revision in the face of the first deviant case that does not conform to its explanation and prediction” (Roberts 1969, in Lang 1987)
The functions of positive theory : “..to enable people to derive a large number of descriptive
statements from a single explanatory statements” “..to raise to consciousness behaviors in the built environment
that are important to people that therefore should have an impact on design decisions.”
“..to be value-free, avoid bias, to look for alternative explanations, and to apply rules of scientific method to observation and explanation”
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Normative Theory(Lang 1987)
Build on positive theory; based on: how the world works, and perception of good and bad; right and wrong; desirable and
undesirable; working well or working badly Articulate and interpret behavior, value and environment (Lynch) Ambiguous:
“what has been consensually agreed upon, the norms for a given time”
“what ought to be - what a good world is” Value-laden statements of philosophers, politician, architect, etc on
what ought to be Useful for action-oriented professions: guidelines and principles
simplify the process of making decisions.
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Substantive Theory
Concerned with the nature of the phenomena with which architects and planners have to deal in their work (quality, function, afford, aesthetic, etc.)
“Natural-environmental theory”: describe and explain nature of materials, geometry, structures,
and interplay between natural forces and the artificial environment
“Person-environmental theory”: describe and explain 3D layout of environment that can afford
different organisms for their habitats
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Procedural Theory
nature of praxis in environmental design
Description and process of how built environment (interior, buildings, landscape, etc) is self-consciously designed
Concerned with design methodology
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3. THE FRAMEWORK OF URBAN DESIGN THEORY
Subject Matterof Theory
Orientation of Theory
Positive Normative
ProceduralPositive
Procedural Theory
Professed
Practiced
SubstantivePositive
SubstantiveTheory
Professed
Practiced
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SUBSTANTIVE PROCEDURAL
POSITIVE
the nature of the phenomena with which architects and planners have to deal in their work (quality, function, afford, aesthetic, etc.)
Consists of:- “Natural-environmental theory”- “Person-environmental theory”
• Nature of praxis in environmental design
• Description and process of how built environment (interior, buildings, landscape, etc) is self-consciously designed
• Concerned with design methodology
• Weak in urban design
NORMATIVE
Articulate and interpret behavior, value and environment (Lynch)
Based on consensus agreed and the norms for a given time”
“What ought to be - what a good world is”
Value-laden statements on what ought to be
For action-oriented professions
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SUBSTANTIVE PROCEDURAL
POSITIVE
Figure Ground Theory (Trancik)
Linkage Theory (Trancik)Place Theory (Trancik)Theories of Perception Image of the City (Lynch)
Internalized Method (Shirvani)
Incremental Method (Shirvani)
Fragmental Method (Shirvani)
Radical Method (Shirvani)
NORMATIVE
Cosmic Theory (Lynch)Mechanic Theory (Lynch)Organic Theory (Lynch)Garden City (Howard)Beautiful City (Olmsted) Linkage Theory (Trancik)Place Theory (Trancik)Functionalist theory (Attoe)Broadacre City (Wright)Radiant City (Le Corbusier)Good City (Lynch)
Rational Method (Shirvani) Synoptic Method (Shirvani) Scientific Design Process
(Moughtin)
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POSITIVE
Fig. Pattern of solids and voids
Figure Ground Theory
Fig. Diagram of Urban Design Theory
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POSITIVELinkage Theory
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POSITIVEPlace Theory
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NORMATIVECosmic Theory
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NORMATIVEMechanic Theory
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NORMATIVEOrganic Theory
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Example of Substantive Theory(Attoe & Logan 1989)
STANCESAPPLICATION INTO
URBAN DESIGN VISION
FUNCTIONALISMTowers in a ParkSuperblock
HUMANISM
TownscapeParticipationHeterogeneity
SYSTEMICExpress TrafficEfficient Transit
FORMALISMCivic AxisPublic Realm
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NORMATIVEFunctionalist theory
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Towers in a Park
FUNCTIONALISM
Superblock
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HUMANISM
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SYSTEMIC
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FORMALISM
Fig. Civic Axis
Fig. Public Realm
Fig. Civic Axis
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References:
Attoe, Wayne; Donn Logan (1989). American Urban Architecture. Berkeley: Univ. of California Press
Lang, Jon (1987). Creating Architectural Theory. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold
_______ (1994). Urban Design: the American Experience. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold
Lynch, Kevin (1988) The Image of The City. 9th ed. Cambridge, MA. The MIT Press
_______ (1990). Good City Form. 7th ed. Cambridge, MA. The MIT Press Moudon, Anne Vernez (May 1992). ”A Catholic Approach to Organizing What
Urban Designers Should Know.” Journal of Planning Literature, Vol. 6, No. 4.hl. 331-349
Rowe, Peter (1992). Design Thinking. Cambridge: The MIT Press Shirvani, Hamid (1985). The Urban Design Process. New York: Van Nostrand
Reinhold Trancik, Roger (1986). Finding Lost Space. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Wilson, William H (1984). The City Beautiful Movement. Baltimore: The Johns
Hopkins Univ. Press