SPD110 - Urban Design Applied

Outline info
Semester
School
Last revision date 2025-01-27 01:31:12.355
Last review date 2025-03-17 00:15:25.707


Subject Title
Urban Design Applied

Subject Description
This course provides students with an introduction to the core principles of urban design. Course content will include a study of various methods for retrofitting existing neighbourhoods and creating new integrated neighbourhoods on greenfield sites. Other factors are considered, including strategic planning, socioeconomic viability, and design. Through a series of hands-on interactive exercises in a studio workshop setting, students learn about the challenges and opportunities facing urban revitalization projects in both small and large communities. 

Credit Status
One credit toward the Sustainable Planning and Development Certificate program.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

  1. Evaluate different urban settlement scales, with a focus on the ways in which urban matters are considered and addressed at each scale (e.g. nodes, centres, corridors, edges).
     
  2. Analyze various urban design typologies, from roads and open space hierarchies to building types.
     
  3. Develop best practice rooted in foundational urban design principles.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.

Prerequisite(s)
None

Topic Outline

 1.  Shaping the build environment
 
What is Urban Design? An introduction to Scales: the region and the town
What is Planning?
Sustainable Design
 
 2.
 
Urban Design Principles and Best Practices
 
 3. Planning: Regulation
 
• Understanding legal and political structures and procedures
• Interpreting the Planning Act
 
  A brief history of design
 
 4. Site: Context, Procedures
 
• Describing Neighbourhoods, Districts
• Understanding Site Plan Approval processes
 
  Planning: Introduction
 
• Discussing the history of urban development
• Planning: Zoning, Municipal Regulations
• Interpreting and comparing By-laws and procedures (Committee of Adjustment, Site Plan Approval, Rezoning)
 
 5. Site: Selection and Programming
 
• Understanding factors in the site selection process
• Reading a site plan and legal survey
 
  Planning: Understanding Principles of Site Design
Planning: Participating in stakeholder and community consultations
Introduce Sites for major project
 
 6. Site: Physical Characteristics and Microclimate
 
• Identifying topography, solar, wind, vegetation, groundwater, and stormwater conditions of a site.
 
 7. Feasibility analysis:
 
• Zoning by laws studies
• Heritage and Urban Design guidelines
• Design options
 
 8.

 
Students will present their Site Analysis, Feasibility and Zoning By-laws studies and massing options
 
 9.
 
Learning to see: Kevin Lynch- The image of the city
 
10. 

 
Case study/ workshop - Design Parameters and built form/ public realm typologies
Students will learn from existing re-zoning and zoning by-law amendments
 
11.

 
Students will present orally their improved design proposals, including: site plan, accesses, parking requirement, municipal road and zoning by-law and site statistics
 
12.


 
Planning: Understanding Principles of Site Design
Planning: Participating in stakeholder and community consultations
Students will work on their design Options
 
13.
 
Class time: Students will work on the major project
 
14.

 
Oral presentation of major project
Submission of report  
Site plan and design plans, elevations

Mode of Instruction
Lectures, group work, in-class exercises, assignments, and presentations

Prescribed Texts
Lynch, Kevin. 1960. The Image of the City. Cambridge: MIT Press. ISBN: 978-0262620017

To find out the cost of books and learning material go here.

Any courses not listed on the bookstore webpage do not require any resources for purchase. All resources will be provided by your instructor.

Reference Material
Reference material will be provided by the instructor during the weekly sessions. 

Required Supplies
None

Student Progression and Promotion Policy

http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/student-progression-and-promotion-policy.html

Grading Policyhttp://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/grading-policy.html

A+ 90%  to  100%
A 80%  to  89%
B+ 75%  to  79%
B 70%  to  74%
C+ 65%  to  69%
C 60%  to  64%
D+ 55%  to  59%
D 50%  to  54%
F 0%    to  49% (Not a Pass)
OR
EXC Excellent
SAT Satisfactory
UNSAT Unsatisfactory

For further information, see a copy of the Academic Policy, available online (http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academics-and-student-services.html) or at Seneca's Registrar's Offices. (https://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/registrar.html).


Modes of Evaluation
Assignments

  • Assignments are due at the beginning of the class on which they are due.
  • A late penalty of 10% per day is assessed for late assignments, including those not handed in at the beginning of class when due.
  • Material will not be accepted after one week following the due date and/or when the marked material is returned to students, whichever comes first.
  • Assignments are to be prepared by computer.

English Proficiency
  • All written work should demonstrate the following characteristics for clarity and conciseness:
    • writing is consistent with the rules of English grammar
    • spelling and punctuation are correct
    • sentences are structured correctly
    • main ideas are supported with specific, relevant examples and reasons
    • work flows logically through supporting statements/paragraphs
    • work is arranged in correct format (e.g., as a report, essay)
    • up to 10% of the final grade may be deducted on all work if the above English competencies are not met.

Format for Assignments
Students must use the standard, APA style for quoting sources.   Help is available at:  http://library.senecapolytechnic.ca

Grading is based on the following marking scheme:
In-class Exercises 30%
Assignments 20%
Major Project 50%


PLEASE RETAIN THIS SUBJECT OUTLINE FOR POSSIBLE FUTURE USE IN SUPPORT OF CREDIT APPLICATIONS AT OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Approved by: Martin Tame