705-317 Culture & History of Urban Planning

THIS SUBJECT IS NOT OFFERED IN 2007.

Students enrol in 702-474 Investigation Program A or 702-476 Investigation Program C. Students should liaise with a course advisor in the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning.

Any level-two history subject offered in the Faculty

A cultural and historical study of cities and urban planning and design from early city cultures to 19th century urbanisation. The subject examines some significant periods in urban history - first city cultures, classical antiquity, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-classicism - in terms of the cultural and natural forces which shaped the structure and form of their great cities. Critical analyses of representative examples of urban form and style are presented. The subject considers the historical determinants of the spatial structure of cities and the physical design and form of streetscapes, public and residential buildings, gardens, squares and monuments; the evolution of urban design principles and practice in Western cultural tradition; the effects of changing attitutdes on the design of cities in history.

On completion of the subject students should be able to:

• Evaluate the urban environment as the cumulative result of an historic process reflecting cultural, economic, socio-political and physical determinants and interrelationships.

• Assess and analyse pre-industrial cities in terms of the major ideas, concepts, individuals, cultural trends and styles and prototypes that have influenced modern urban planning and design.

• Recognize the historical determinants of the spatial structure of cities and the physical form of its elements; buildings, gardens, precincts, squares and streetscapes..

• Identify urban design principles and practices fundamental to (western) cultural tradition.

• Appreciate the effects of changing (western) attitudes on the design of urban form in history and on the designers themselves.

On completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills and capabilities:

• Understanding of the cumulative processes in the urban environment.

• Analysis of preindustrial cities in relation to modern urban planning and design.

• Recognition of urban design principles and practices in the western cultural tradition.

Written and drawn assignments equivalent to 3000 words, comprising case studies (20%), a class paper (20%), questions on weekly reading (20%) plus a two hour examination (40%).