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What is urban design?
Urban design is concerned with the arrangement, appearance and function of towns and cities, and in particular the shaping and use of public space. It involves the design of buildings, groups of buildings, spaces and landscapes, and the establishment of frameworks and processes that facilitate successful development. Successful, high quality urban design is especially important therefore in areas that are subject to significant regeneration and physical and social change.
The core principles are defined in the CABE publication ‘By Design - Urban Design in the Planning System: Towards Better Practice’, which accompanies Planning Policy Statement 1 – Delivering Sustainable Development.
These are:
- CHARACTER - A place with its own identity
- CONTINUITY AND ENCLOSURE - A place where public and private spaces are clearly distinguished
- QUALITY OF THE PUBLIC REALM – a place with attractive and successful outdoor areas
- EASE OF MOVEMENT - A place that is easy to get to and move through
- LEGIBILITY – A place that has a clear image and is easy to understand
- ADAPTABILITY – A place that can change easily
- DIVERSITY – A place with variety and choice
The Urban Design Compendium expands upon and further explains and illustrates these urban design principles and the process of designing places. The Urban Design Compendium 2 reinforces the guidance in the Compendium using case studies of successfully designed places.
Sustainable Urban Design
Sustainability encompasses economic, environmental and social issues. Achieving a healthy balance between them is vital in creating a city that is responsive both locally and globally. The creation of sustainable places and development is fundamental to successful urban design.
The Planning Policy and Design team actively promotes sustainability within its work and works closely with others concerned with sustainability in relation to projects and the development of policy to help deliver these objectives.
Please use the links on the left for further information or contact Urban Design officers within the Planning Policy and Design team.
Contact Details:
Planning Policy and Design
City Renewal
PO Box 630
Civic Centre
Glebe Street
Stoke-on-Trent
ST4 1HH
Tel: 01782 236680
Fax: 01782 232171
Email: heritage@stoke.gov.uk
Office Opening Hours:
8.45am - 5pm Monday - Thursday
8.45am - 4.30pm Friday
Saturday: Closed
Sunday:
Closed
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