School of
Architecture and Planning
University of the
Witwatersrand
ARPL3012 Contemporary approaches to Urban Design
2nd
semester 2016
Lecturer: Solam
Mkhabela
Lecture | Seminar:
Old Seminar Room
+27 (11) 717
7756
or Nonhlanhla Nene
+27 (11) 717
7623
Consultation: Thursdays on appointment
INTRODUCTION
Subject:
The contemporary
approaches to Urban design course will discuss and conceptualise different
means of looking, reading, seeing, unpacking, representing and dealing with an
activity street in an urban city context.
In its undertaking, the course will introduce and expose students to the
fundamental facets of street analysis and articulation from a critical
viewpoint and perspective.
The South African
urban environment has been primarily shaped by approaches informed by certain
theoretical paradigms. These approaches
have led to urban interventions with have produced a certain representational articulation
of the city, its streetscape, network and movement
system. These have given a particular
texture and feel to city, influencing its daily rhythms, patterns and language
– and most importantly, the manner of the city’s representation. The course will focus the connection between
theories, concepts of analysis, which lead to planning and urban design
intervention approaches. The form,
content and structure of the course will demonstrate the necessity of
inclusionary approaches, and how audiovisual methods [film] may be used an
instrument for communication and representation – highlighting the need for appropriate
representation and meaning in urban spaces and places.
Contemporary
approaches to urban design will look at and use international literature around
activity streets, and contrast Johannesburg with other international cities, in
a comparative manner using dynamic voicing mechanisms. This will lead to an exploration in
appropriate urban case studies in seeking key examples of active streets and,
where applicable, how they are perceived and used by their local communities.
COURSE SUMMARY
Aims + objectives
Six selected local
and international readings will guide and inform the course on key
characteristics of active streets and methods of representation. This literature will form the base of
personal class positions on active street articulation and representation. The class will be encouraged to reflect
critically on conditional factors, which influence, shape, form and inform the
street. Careful planning has been
undertaken to facilitate the urban design course. It will gradually increase in
complexity and depth of understanding during the semester.
This course
addresses the following:
- Training for planning and designing
within contemporary urban (South African) contexts;
- Theoretical understanding
of economic, social and political factors that influence planning and design
on different scales;
- Representational techniques
to illustrate planning and urban design developments;
- Reading and mapping of
issues like inner-city regeneration, public safety, designing with
informality and cultural diversity, participatory design, principles of
layout, open space networks, sub/urban landscapes;
- Research on comparative
urban design concepts from different contexts with relevance to South
Africa.
The course will
focus on project-based learning and aim at enabling the participants on how to
construct and represent a planning and urban design argument in spatial
translation. As per method, the course
will start from research and documentation and move to design and representation.
The starting point for the project is a precinct inhabited by different South
African realities, which are relevant within a broader urban context and
discourse. The key point of focus and
intervention will be the street and the research will unpack the
appropriateness of the language and if meaning has been spatially articulated.
LEARNING
OUTCOMES
A student
completing the course will be expected to have reached the following knowledge
and ability:
- To research, record and
critically analyse spatial phenomena
- Integrating research and
design
- To develop a critical
appreciation of different philosophical lenses through which to understand
resulting spatial dimensions
- To critically engage with a
range of inter/ national case studies.
- To understand, communicate
and work in the various scales that planning and urban design share.
- To derive & formulate,
structure, substantiate and represent urban design proposals graphically.
- To understand the
interrelationship between the built environment and social, economical and
political forces
- To apply different methods
of urban analysis and design to the given context
- To present their work in
graphic, written and verbal format using acceptable scholarly conventions.
- To work as an individual as
well as a team and to contribute to class discussions
To excel in this
course, students will be required to:
- Provide creative
interpretations of the subject matter
- Employ theoretical concepts
imaginatively in the planning urban design process
- Demonstrate critical
awareness and sensitivity to diverse urban contexts
COURSE STRUCTURE
The course is
structured in 2 components: 1 – lecture, 2 – studio crits. Lectures will also be inclusive of workshops
+ studio guests
SCHEDULE
TUE 10:15 – 13:00 Lecture, Studio/
Crit, Workshops, Media/ Guest
14:15
– 17:15 Studio/ Crit, Workshops, Media/
Guest
THU 12:30 – 13:15 Consultation, every 2nd week
Note that classes
begin at those specified times, not that the times given are class arrival
times.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
IN THE COURSE
The course is structured into 2 sections, which each taking place in each
block [3 +4]. Four readings will inform
the first section, with two structuring the final section. These reading are a requirement and
prescribed to give insight, which should be brought as input into the class
discussions.
- STUDIO: Planning and Urban
Design projects will apply the knowledge gained in the research/ seminar.
They will be presented in studio time for comment (called a crit session)
and are then further developed and reworked.
- LECTURES: A series of
lectures are presented to introduce the learner to a broad range of
theoretical ideas and practical concerns that are pertinent to
contemporary approaches to urban design. The lectures inform the creative
process of design. They will include briefing sessions of all projects and
reviews of students work as general class crit as well as presentations of
students of research work. The attendance of all sessions is compulsory.
- SEMINARS: A series of seminars,
which provide a platform for deep and critical reviews of different
philosophical positions in urban design discourses. These seminars form
the basis of a (mainly) graphic essay that provides an explanation of the
different philosophical lenses and how these manifest physically
- MEDIA/ GUEST: Invited guest
speakers and media projections will introduce students to multiple
perspectives of urban design practice to create the basis for an open
discussion around the profession and related issues.
- RESEARCH: Student research
related to specific themes to serve as toolbox for urban design projects.
It will be presented to the class during the weekly seminar time and
handed in within a given format
- PEERS: Discussion and
interaction between students informally in discussion groups and during
independent studio time is an important source of learning.
- LIBRARY: Students are
required to read all material that is handed out during the course of the
year. Reading material will be handed out as per project. All reading hand-outs
are examinable. Students are also encouraged to make extensive use of the
library to extend their knowledge and understanding of the subject at
hand.
- FIELD WORK: Fieldwork on
dedicated sites is a necessary pre-requisite for the contextual urban
design approach pursuit in this course. Different ways of recording and
mapping will be applied in the process.
- COMMUNICATION: All briefs,
schedule, best of projects and other information will be posted on this
blog. Students are responsible to update themselves on a regular basis. http://arpl3012.blogspot.com/
Structure for
electronic submissions:
APRL3012_2016_Task_Digit
_Initial_ LastName
ARPL3012_2016_Task_1_A_Mbabane
SUMMARY OF
APPROACH
In summary there
are three aspects to this course:
There is [1] a
project component, [2] a seminar and theory component and [3] a semester’s
assessment /oral examination component to the course.
PROJECT COMPONENT:
There are five
projects.
The major project
is the formulation of an Urban Design Framework _Visual Narrative
ASSESSMENT:
Although Assessment is on going, a percentage of the semester including the
semester’s mark is subject to external examination and moderation.
In terms of the
structure of the course, both quarters are meant to complement each other in
terms of subject matter and context. Urban design is understood as the practice
of urban works, which include (among others) policies, frameworks, design
layouts as well as mapping and recording of data, on and off site. These may be
informed by theoretical and practical considerations.
These different
layers will be addressed and applied through project work. Specific focus of
all projects is on the development of the urban patch as a design tool.
Software Patches
are pieces of software which in themselves are small or even very small, whose
purpose is to improve the operation of a larger programme. It delivers to the
programme missing key information (such as the registration number) in order to
perform properly. Urban patches are limited interventions, which are copied
into the software in order to enable it to reach its performative optimum. In
the analogy, the urban designer does not redesign the entire system at a single
point in time, but rather intervenes at specific points in the urban framework,
which however can subvert the performance as a whole.*
* From: Urban
Patches, Urban Migration in Cities, Institute of Advanced Architecture
Metapolis, Barcelona.
The key quest and
exploration will deal with the various interrelations of regards to urban form
and social life and ask the question: how to include social narratives in the
making of urban form?
MATERIALS
Students are
expected to provide suitable materials for all projects, seminars and
workshops. A scale rule, a calculator, drafting paper, pencils or pens, eraser,
notepad are considered the minimum materials for attendance during the course.
A digital photo camera is desirable + a visual diary recommendable.
ASSESSMENT
GUIDELINES
General
Assessment Criteria:
- Understanding of relevant
urban contexts and the visualisation thereof.
- Range and quality of source
material used.
- Ability to think
critically.
- Ability to apply knowledge
and imagination to specific topics.
- Application of ideas to
case studies or real life examples.
- Coherence of arguments –
clear logical structure of concept and ideas, ability to develop and
present an argument, formulation of a conclusion, in text and drawing
format.
- Knowledge of subject area
- Developing a philosophical
lens (theoretical position)
- Originality
- Style of graphic
representation (drawing, layout)
- Writing style (grammar,
spelling, clarity)
- Thorough and comprehensive
use of referencing.
- Ability to systematically
work through a complex issue.
Specific
assessment criteria are outlined on each individual project hand-out. General
criteria will be discussed in detail in studio and in formal lectures. Work may
be reworked, and resubmitted for remarking at the year-end reviews (i.e. oral
exam). The general assessment will be based on the criteria listed in learning
outcomes.
The marking of
single submissions is generally broken down as follows:
Content 40%
Idea and concept
Scales and layers
covered, understanding of subject matter
Originality, innovation
and relevance of idea
Techniques 40%
Research, method,
process and presentation
Design, method,
process and presentation
Presentation 20%
Clarity and
quality of the presentation
Aesthetics and
quality of visuals
Language
Completeness
URBAN DESIGN
PROJECTS
The following
projects will be elaborated on in individual project handouts.
Each hand-out will
specify dates, brief, expected outcome and references.
Task_1: - A
Local Narrative 05%
Task_2: - The
City in Film 05%
Task_3: .1 –
Base Map 25%
.2
– Street Narratives 10%
.3
– Open Space Narratives 10%
Task_4: - Place Perceptions 15%
Task_5: - Visual Narrative 20%
Oral Exam: - Conclusion 10%
GENERAL
CHECKLIST FOR SUBMISSIONS
The following
items have to be considered for successful submissions.
Marks will be
deducted if submissions are non-compliant.
-
Correct
spelling
-
Correct
and consistent referencing of text and visual sources
-
Complete
documents as per requirements
-
Correct
acknowledgements if applicable
-
Correct
formatting of visuals (no blurry or distorted images!)
-
Consistent
font
GUIDES ON
PREPARING DIGITAL MATERIAL FOR PRINTING, ARCHIVING AND POSTPRODUCTION
Resolution
For postproduction
purposes of image material a resolution of min 150 dpi on a a4 size is
required, otherwise the material is of no use.
Font
Preferable text
font: Arial or Helvetica. Consistent size of different text categories
throughout the document, suggestion: running text 10pt, captions 8 pt, headings
12pt.
Layout
Documents should
be laid out in a programme like InDesign. It has to be consistent, clear and
comprehensive. Documents should be saved as pdf, including the cover.
Presentations
Preferably
presentations are created in PowerPoint, keynote or similar. Presentations have
to be clear and comprehensive.
Text
Text has to be
presented in well-phrased English and be grammatically correct. Correct
spelling is mandatory. It is advised to find an independent proofreader before
handing in the final version.
Bibliography
and referencing
Use SoAP
guidelines
SUBMISSION
RULES
All projects are
to be handed in on the specified dates. Submissions
not handed in on the specified date and time will not be marked.
Non-submissions will be marked as 0%.
EXEMPTION
Exemption from
hand in dates may be granted on the following grounds:
1) Prior
notification with a serious reason e.g. bereavement, presented to the course
lecturer.
2) A doctor’s
certificate in the case of illness, presented to the course lecturer, subject
to scrutiny.
3) Should the
situation arise, burden of proof will be placed upon the student to prove that
their work was handed in on time.
A submission
which, subject to the course lecturer’s discretion, is justified in terms of
the above, may be marked out of 100%.
RELIGIOUS
HOLIDAYS
Please note that
religious holidays will not be regarded as grounds for exemptions. It is the
duty of the student to have the project ready by the deadline and students can
arrange for the lecturer to receive the project before the due date if they
will not be able to attend the hand-in.
ROLE OF
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS
During the end of
year oral exam the ‘provisional year mark’ is subjected to a moderation
procedure. External examiners and the
course staff conduct the moderation procedure, in order to preserve
professional and academic standards.
Moderation can affect the final mark within a 5% margin, up or
down. The ‘moderated mark’ counts as the
final and definitive year mark in design.
This means that ‘year provisional marks’ in the region of 46% to 54%
represent potential failures in design. In exceptional cases, where an external
examiner feels strongly that a learner has not met the requirements of the
course, but whose year mark does not reflect this, he/she will be able to, with
the approval of the Head of School, to moderate the learner’s mark down by more
than 5%. The purpose of the final oral is to assess whether, during the course
of the year, the student has acquired the necessary skills to receive her/ his
degree and/or proceed to the next year. At the beginning of the year one is
evaluating isolated skills; by the end of the year it is necessary to integrate
them.
ATTENDANCE AND
PARTICIPATION
- Student attendance at
studio design sessions, crits, seminars and tests/ workshops is at all
times compulsory. A register will be
taken at crit sessions and ‘one day design studio’s’ by tutors. This register will be used to monitor
student attendance.
RULES OF
EXCLUSION
- Attendance and
participation is monitored in terms of the attendance registers and
submission of work. Students whose attendance records are below 75% and
submission below 100% may be excluded from final examination. Please note that University policy
requires that the attendance and submission assessment be issued at least
30 days before the end of year examination. Exclusion means the student will
not be granted an end of year oral exam, which results in failure of the
course!!!
The Course Guide should be read in conjunction with the School and
University Policy on assessment that contains more general information.
SAKAI
Yahoo/ Gmail or any other non-Wits accounts will not be accepted. It
is your responsibility to access SAKAI through your WITS student account. There will be no excuses that you did not
receive the information through SAKAI. If you do not understand SAKAI or have
difficulty accessing the SAKAI website, do not understand Turnitin or how to
access your Wits student account you are urgently required to visit http://www.wits.ac.za/students/webct/3897/home.html
Marking and academic
staff turn-around time for feedback:
As this course is intensive in relation to graphics/ writing/
research students can expect a 2-week turn-around marking time.
Plagiarism
Students are expected to familiarise themselves with all plagiarism
issues. We will provide you with inputs on plagiarism during Orientation week -
HOWEVER, if you miss Orientation Week you are responsible for investigating all
aspects related to Plagiarism. Please refer to the E learning website that
explains the software Turnitin – which will assist you in your submissions and
will help to avoid the problems related to plagiarism.
“Turnitin
is a proprietary internet-based plagiarism detection system developed by
iParadigms, LLC. Turnitin provides a faster way of electronically checking
documents and encourages correct citation of other people’s material. Turnitin
is mainly designed to make comparisons between texts contained within a
document against standard paper repositories. Turnitin standalone can be
accessed at https://elearn.wits.ac.za/turnitin/
Late submission
All work is to be submitted on the day stipulated in the brief or
course outline. While the School of Architecture and Planning understands the
demands on students, we will assist students as far as possible and within the
educational requirements of the course to plan their time based on personal,
professional and non-academic demands. Our policy attempts to get the student
to take control over their own lives. In terms of this we have the following
guidelines in place:
◦ Should
you need an extension you must consult with your lecturer and mutually agree on
a future date for submission, based on a valid reason for the extension, PRIOR
TO THE DUE DATE.
◦ Should
your class request an extension your class representative must consult
with your lecturer and decide on a future date for submission, based on a valid
reason for the extension, PRIOR TO THE DUE DATE. Submission dates must be published within the first week of term and
can only be changed with permission from the Dean and where every students
signs agreement- according to the rules
◦ Should
you have a crisis on the day of the submission – car broke down, printer
problems and so on – you are required to bring in evidence of your problems (if
possible) and/or notify the School at hand-in time.
◦
If your hand-in is late on the day of
submission, you will lose 10% on the day, 50% max if it is the next day and
thereafter 0%. The late submission will need to be submitted to Nhlanhla Nene
with an explanatory note. Students need to bring the explanatory note (no,
proof: medical certificate, tow-in receipt, police case number, death
certificate, etc.) to prove the late submission with Ms Nene. Automatic
extension: One day ill, one day extension. If you submit the following
day without following any of the above comments you will receive a mark of 0%
Assessment for project based courses
For a project
based course you will be assessed on an integrative assessment, that is all of
your work – and this can be from 10% of the year mark to 15%. Please note that if
your mark is between 45% and 55% you are at risk of failing.
Take note that marks between 45% to 55% are subject to scrutiny. Do not feel or
think that any mark in this range may pass as the internal and external
examiners will decide if this is a pass or fail.
IT IS THE
STUDENTS RESPONSIBILITY THAT ALL WORK PRODUCED AND MARKED OVER THE SEMESTER HAS
TO BE KEPT IN GOOD CONDITION AND BE PRESENTED AT THE END OF YEAR EXAMINATION.
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