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Fall 2002 Course IV Subject Listings

 
     
 
 

4.240/11.328J

 

Urban Design Skills: Observing, Interpreting & Representing the City

Instructor: Eran Ben-Joseph
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Units: 3-0-9
Level: G
URL: http://web.mit.edu/11.328j/www/

   
     
 

An introduction to the methods of recording, evaluating, and communicating about the urban environment, and building the skills needed for urban design interventions. Through visual observation, field analysis, measuring, reading plans and drawing, students will learn to rely on their senses and develop the ability to deduce, question, and test conclusions about how the built environment is designed, used and valued. Field trips and short exercises are used as a mechanism for studying about the form, spatial pattern and function of the cityís districts, blocks, and streets as both a physical and cultural phenomenon. Through the use of various presentation tools students will communicate what they observe as well as their impressions and ideas - building the basic skills needed for further work in urban design.

An introduction to methods of analyzing, evaluating and recording the urban environment first hand. The aim is to supplement existing courses which cover theory and history of city design and planning, and to better prepare students without prior design background for the studio sequence.

The course will be set in a workshop/field trip environment through which a series of discussions and case studies are carried out. Each student will engage in an environment that they will observe, record, analyze and evaluate. The case study will emphasize one's own ability to draw on her or his senses, as much as on the ability to record, deduct, conclude, question, and verify.

The following topics will be studied through the cases:

Site and natural systems

Public spaces and place making.

Infrastructure transportation and circulation.

Built-up typologies - single and mixeduse - infill

Participants will be required to keep a sketch/note book which will be handed in periodically during the semester.


 
     
 
 
 

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