Urban Design Compedium

The Urban Compendium covers key aspects of urban design, the documents is divided into sections which cover variety of important matters in more depth. It is important that the planner recognizes the need for a development that will deliver all three aspect; social, environmental and economical at a good balance, as well as investigating the existing context. The following sections of the document outline variety of data.

Place for people focuses on the social aspect of the development in greater depth. It recognizes the need of a environment that is easily accessible and usable. Upton provides its residents with a well thought of design, the pathways are wide and easily recognizable, roads include speed bumps but more efficiently a variety of different terrain which impact drivers behaviour and make him more cautious of the surroundings. Circulation strategies allow the public to operate and coordinate easily within the area.

Promote the existing context through efficient research, the existing and proposed should blend in together, yet the users should be able to distinguish the two and there should be a clear purpose of connectivity to further areas, for example Northampton church symbolising the town centre. The users should feel integrated with other existing urban areas, urban identity should be evident yet not copied entirely.

The development should be efficient at making connections in form of public and private transport, transport on foot or cycling. Quite often developers try to fill in as much space with housing that they forget vital part of living in 21st century and that's transport. circulation of developments is crucial for its residents. Being able to produce a layout of roads which allows a comfortable and safe travelling for all users of the road. Efficient use of cycle lanes, roundabouts, traffic lights and overpasses will minimise the chances of an accident. New development will result in new facilities including schools and playgrounds, therefore paying a particular attention to safety is crucial, wise use of layout and strategies will have a big role on the efficiency of circulation.

While appreciating the context around the development it's also important to recognize the use of landscape, integrating the environment with urban development can be difficult but it can also provide opportunities. More frequently the developers consider better use of materials and structures to minimise the carbon footprint and direct impact on the surrounding environment.

The development should promote a diverse use of spaces for all kinds of demographics, the facilities should promote social aspects of the community as well as be functional. It's a broad subject which links to the other as diverse use of spaces can consider the circulations, facilities and outdoor spaces.

To ensure the balance is kept the development should provide economical opportunities, being a new development there will be needs for new facilities such as schools, public services, recreational facilities. all which should bring revenue to the development in the long term.

To design a development which will sustain its land value. Often we see developments take turns in different directions, some successful but others not. To sustain the land value it's important that all the previous subjects are met at a high standard. The opportunities in facilities the development provide could lead to increase in value. The developers should focus on designing for change, how exactly is this development different from other development across the town or county?

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