Course guide of Urban Design 1 (2091134)

There are no prerequisites.

Urban Design 1 constitutes the first compulsory course within the Urban and Spatial Planning pathway of the Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture.

The course provides architecture students with an introduction to urbanism. It is intended to develop their understanding, critical observation and ability to design the architecture of human settlements and fragments of the city, territory and landscape.

The urban project is understood as a process of transformation that responds carefully to existing conditions, including urban fabrics, territorial structures and landscapes. It also requires an understanding of the relationships between society, the economy, culture and the environment. Students are therefore encouraged to reflect, both individually and collectively, on the factors underlying the logic of urban configurations.

Learning in this course is based on the following general areas of content:

• Urban culture and the contemporary city. Knowledge of the social, economic, environmental and cultural contexts within which cities and territories are shaped and transformed.
• Design culture. Knowledge of relevant reference projects understood as “living” chapters of history, with particular emphasis on projects developed over the last thirty years.
• Place and project. Training students to observe, interpret and represent reality through drawing as a means of understanding the environment and the place in which they will intervene. The project is approached as a future-oriented reflection on the past and present conditions of a place, using drawing and other graphic representation techniques.
• The role of the architect and urban planner. Understanding the architect–urban planner as a mediating agent between citizens and political institutions, between the economy and society, and between the past and the future.

• To analyse urban morphology and evolution: To understand the growth of the contemporary city as a continuous historical process, recognising and diagnosing the functionality of its models, urban fabrics, components and infrastructure systems across different scales.
• To master representation and diagnosis: To apply graphic and analytical representation techniques with methodological rigour in order to describe, interpret, explore and design complex urban realities.
• To provide a foundation for planning practice: To acquire the theoretical and practical foundations of urban and spatial planning required for professional practice, enabling students to design habitable environments by adapting general principles to specific interventions.
• To integrate society and sustainability: To incorporate the study of social needs, habitability and citizens’ quality of life transversally into the urban project, in accordance with fundamental principles of ecology and environmental sustainability.
• To assume the role of the architect–urban planner: To understand the professional dimension of urban planning as a field in which the architect acts as a mediating agent between the economy, society and government within the framework of contemporary urban culture.

The course provides an introductory theoretical framework for urbanism, which students will subsequently expand through the more specialised content taught in the remaining Urbanism courses of the Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural Studies.

The course content is organised into the following thematic areas:

• Ways of Seeing. This section develops students’ ability to observe, draw and understand the city in a synthetic and integrated manner. It introduces the concepts of site, situation, the founding of cities, framing, scale, orientation, cartography, and graphic representation techniques, including drawing and modelling.
• Urban Design. This section addresses the transformation of the city. It examines a range of reference projects and approaches, including urban projects, urban strategies, landscape design, spatial planning, experimental projects, and utopian or radical models.
• Urban Form. This section focuses on the morphological study of the city. It introduces the concepts of the street, the square, urban patterns, urban fabric, the grid, the urban block, urban forms, urban growth and the persistence of inherited structures.
• Codification. This section examines the quantitative and qualitative variables used by urban planners in planning practice. It introduces the parameters and indicators that influence urban structure, architectural typologies and ways of living. The concepts addressed include land, floor area ratio and development capacity, plot structure, individual and collective housing typologies, density, land use, function, public facilities, and urban planning best-practice guidelines.

These contents may be expanded, modified or organised differently according to the requirements of the course and the academic year, as well as the specific teaching criteria established by the course lecturers.

The practical and design-based component of the course is intended to help students apply and internalise the theoretical knowledge outlined above. At the beginning of the academic year, the teaching staff will provide a detailed definition of the exercises, which will be of the following types:

• Theoretical and practical exercises. The teaching staff will determine the degree to which these exercises are divided into separate activities or integrated into a comprehensive assignment.
• Urban design exercises. Students will design an urban intervention for one or more specific sites through three successive phases or exercises: analysis of the place, definition of the urban design strategy, and development of the architecture of the urban project.

The exercises will be directly linked to the concepts addressed in the theoretical component of the course and will therefore require a thorough understanding of the relationships between architecture, urbanism, culture and place.

Students will use graphic resources, drawing materials and physical models, primarily produced manually. Digital tools will also be used where appropriate, together with any other sources and resources required to complete the exercises.

• PANERAI, P. (2002). Proyectar la ciudad. Madrid: Celeste.
• PARCERISA, J. y RUBERT, M. (2000). La ciudad no es una hoja en blanco. Hechos del urbanismo. Santiago de Chile: Ediciones ARQ.

• GUIHEUX, A. y DETHIER, J. (1994) Visions urbanes, Europa 1870-193. Barcelona: Centre de Cultura Contemporánea.
• ALEXANDER, C. (1980), Un lenguaje de patrones. Ciudades, edificios, construcciones. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili, (Edición original en inglés: 1977); -(2002) The nature of order, California: The center for environmental structure.
• AMENDOLA, G. (2000): La ciudad postmoderna. Madrid: Celeste ediciones.
• ASCHER, F. (2004), Los nuevos principios del urbanismo: el fin de las ciudades no está a la orden del día. Versión española de María Hernández Díaz. Madrid: Alianza.
• AYMONINO, C. (1976). La vivienda racional: ponencias de los congresos CIAM 1929-1930. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili. (1983) El significado de las ciudades. Madrid: Hermann Blume.
• BACON, E. N. (1978), Design of cities, Londres: Thames and Hudson.
• BENÉVOLO, L. (1978). “La proyectación de la ciudad moderna”. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili.
• PANERAI P. (1986). Formas urbanas: de la manzana al bloque. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili.
• COLLINS, G.R. (1980). Camillo Sitte y el nacimiento del urbanismo moderno. La proyectación de la ciudad según principios artísticos. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili.
• De SOLÁ-MORALES, M. (2008) De cosas urbanas. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili.
• GEHL, J. (2009). La humanización del espacio público. Barcelona: Reverté.
• HEGEMANN, W. y PEETS, E. (1988) The American Vitruvius: an architects' handbook of civic art Princeton N.J.: Princeton Architectural Press (ed. Española El Vitrubio americano: manual de arte civil para el arquitecto Barcelona: Fundación Caja de Arquitectos, 1992) (1ª ed. inglesa, 1901).
• HILBERSAIMER, L. (1979). La arquitectura de la gran ciudad. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili.
• JEREZ MIR, C. (2011). ¿Qué es el urbanismo? Granada: Ed. Universidad de Granada.
• LE CORBUSIER (1962). La ciudad del futuro, Buenos Aires: Infinito.
• LYNCH, K. (1985), La imagen de la ciudad. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili. (Edición original en inglés: 1960). –City Sense and city design (1995).
• POËTE, M. (2011). “Introducción al urbanismo”. Barcelona: Fundación Caja de Arquitectos.
• RASMUSSEN, S. E. “Londres: Ciudad única”. Barcelona: Fundación caja de Arquitectos.
• ROSSI, A. (1970). La arquitectura de la ciudad. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili.
• SMITHSON A. y SMITHSON P. (1967). Urban structuring. Londres: Studio Vista.
• UNWIN, R. (1984). La práctica del urbanismo. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili.
• VENTURI, R. y BROWN, D. S. (1978). Aprendiendo de las Vegas: el simbolismo olvidado de la forma arquitectónica, Barcelona: Gustavo Gili. (1972) Complejidad y Contradicción en la arquitectura, Barcelona: Gustavo Gili.
• ZARDINI, M. (ed.). (2005). Sense of the city. An alternative approach to urbanism. Quebec: Canadian Centre for Architecture.

History of Urban Design and Spatial Planning

• BENEVOLO, L. (1982) Colección El diseño de la ciudad, 5 vols. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili.
• CAPEL, H. (2002). La morfología de las ciudades. Barcelona: Serbal.
• CHOAY, F. (1983). El urbanismo. Utopías y realidades. Barcelona: Lumen.
• CHUECA GOITIA, F. (2011). Breve historia del urbanismo. Madrid: Alianza Editorial.
• DELFANTE, C. (2006). Gran Historia de la Ciudad. De Mesopotamia a Estados Unidos. Madrid: Abada.
• GRAVAGNOLO, B. (1998). Historia del urbanismo en Europa. 1750-1960. Madrid: Akal.
• GUARDIA, M., MONCLÚS, F.J. y OYÓN, J.L. (1996) Atlas historic de ciudades europeas. Barcelona: CCCB.
• KOSTOF, S. (1992). The City Shaped. Urban Patterns and Meanings Through History. Londres: Thames and Hudson.
• MORRIS, A. E.J. (1984). Historia de la forma urbana. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili.
• MUMFORD, L. (1945) La cultura de las ciudades. Buenos Aires: Emecé, CAP. X. exópolis-necrópolis. (1979) La ciudad en la historia: sus orígenes, transformaciones y perspectivas, Buenos Aires: Infinito. CAP. X.
• RYKWERT, J. (2002), La idea de ciudad: antropología de la forma urbana en Roma, Italia y el mundo antiguo. Salamanca: Sígueme.

Articles and others

• BARBA CASANOVA, R. “Los ejes en el Proyecto de la Ciudad”.
• De SOLÁ-MORALES, M. “la piel de las ciudades”, “la urbanidad de la arquitectura”, “el proyecto Imposible del espacio público”.
• GEDDES, P. “La sección del valle”.
• KOOLHAAS, R. “¿Qué fue del Urbanismo?”.
• PEREC, G. “Especies de espacios”.

http://www.doyoucity.com/

http://www.europan-esp.es

• MD01. Lección magistral/expositiva 
• MD02. Sesiones de discusión y debate 
• MD03. Resolución de problemas y estudio de casos prácticos 
• MD07. Seminarios 
• MD08. Ejercicios de simulación 
• MD09. Análisis de fuentes y documentos 
• MD10. Realización de trabajos en grupo 
• MD11. Realización de trabajos individuales 

The ordinary assessment of students will be conducted according to the following criteria:

• EV-C1: Demonstration of a sound command of the theoretical and practical content, together with the ability to critically interpret and elaborate upon it.
• EV-C2: Assessment of theoretical and practical assignments completed individually or as part of a team, taking into account their presentation, written expression and clarity of ideas, graphic quality, structure and academic standard, creativity, justification of the arguments presented, the depth and quality of the critical analysis, and the currency and relevance of the bibliography consulted.
• EV-C3: Degree of student engagement and attitude, as demonstrated through participation in consultations, presentations and debates; the preparation of individual and group assignments; and participation in collective discussion and review sessions.
• EV-C4: Degree of attendance and participation in studio classes, seminars, lectures, tutorials and group sessions.

The following assessment instruments will be used:

• EV-I1: Written examinations, including essay questions, short-answer questions and objective tests.
• EV-I2: Oral assessments, including individual or group presentations, interviews and debates.
• EV-I3: Graphic, visual or creative assessments, including drawings, videos, photographic essays and physical models. These may consist of either short exercises or more extensive assignments requiring descriptive, analytical and/or design-based responses.
• EV-I4: Other assignments, reports, studies and project documentation.

The ordinary assessment follows a continuous assessment process organised into two components:

• Part 1 — Theoretical and Practical Component: 40% of the final grade.
• Part 2 — Design Component: 60% of the final grade.

To participate in the continuous assessment process, students must meet the following requirements:

• Attend at least 80% of the scheduled classes.
• Maintain an active and participatory attitude throughout the course.
• Submit all assignments corresponding to both Part 1, the Theoretical and Practical Component, and Part 2, the Design Component.

Regarding the ordinary examination session:

• Students who have fulfilled the continuous assessment requirements concerning attendance, participation and submission of assignments may sit the ordinary examination.
• The examination will consist of a single assessment session during which students must submit any assignments from Parts 1 and 2 that they have not passed or that they wish to resubmit in order to improve the grade obtained during the continuous assessment process.
• The assessment will take place on the date and at the venue established by the School.
• Details of the assessment will be published prior to the examination date, following the formats and procedures established by the School.
• Following publication of the final grades, a period will be established during which students may request a review of their ordinary assessment grade.

To pass the course through the ordinary assessment process, students must comply with the following principles:

• Failure to fulfil any of the continuous assessment requirements will result in a final classification of Not Assessed (No presentado).
• Students must submit and pass the assignments corresponding to each component—Part 1, the Theoretical and Practical Component, and Part 2, the Design Component—with a minimum grade of 5 out of 10 in each component.
• Where a student fails either component, the maximum overall grade that may be awarded in the ordinary examination session will be 4 out of 10.

The extraordinary assessment process is subject to the following requirement:

• Students must be officially enrolled in the course.

Regarding the extraordinary examination session:

• Students who meet the extraordinary assessment requirement specified above may sit the extraordinary examination.
• The extraordinary assessment consists of two assessment tests:
  • Test A — Coursework Submission (60% of the final grade): Students must submit the course assignments established by the teaching staff for the completion of Part 1, the Theoretical and Practical Component, and Part 2, the Design Component.
  • Test B — Theoretical and Practical Examination (40% of the final grade): Students must complete an in-person theoretical and practical examination on the date officially established by the School.
• The assessment will take place on the date and at the venue established by the School.
• Details of the assessment will be published prior to the examination date, following the formats and procedures established by the School.
• Following publication of the final grades, a period will be established during which students may request a review of their extraordinary assessment grade.

To pass the course through the extraordinary assessment process, students must comply with the following principles:

• Each assessment test must be passed with a minimum grade of 5 out of 10.
• Both components of Test A—Part 1, the Theoretical and Practical Component, and Part 2, the Design Component—must be passed before Test B can be taken into account in the calculation of the final grade.
• Where a student fails either assessment test, the maximum overall grade that may be awarded in the extraordinary examination session will be 4 out of 10.

Students may apply for the Single Final Assessment provided that they meet the requirements established in the University of Granada’s Regulations on Student Assessment and Grading and follow the procedure published by the School of Architecture.

Regarding the Single Final Assessment:

• Only students who have formally applied for and been officially granted this assessment option may take part in it.
• The Single Final Assessment consists of two assessment tests:
  • Test A — Coursework Submission (60% of the final grade): Students must submit the course assignments established by the teaching staff for the completion of Part 1, the Theoretical and Practical Component, and Part 2, the Design Component.
  • Test B — Theoretical and Practical Examination (40% of the final grade): Students must complete an in-person theoretical and practical examination on the date officially established by the School.
• The assessment will take place on the date and at the venue established by the School.
• Details of the assessment will be published prior to the examination date, following the formats and procedures established by the School.
• Following publication of the final grades, a period will be established during which students may request a review of their Single Final Assessment grade.

To pass the course through the Single Final Assessment, students must comply with the following principles:

• Each assessment test must be passed with a minimum grade of 5 out of 10.
• Both components of Test A—Part 1, the Theoretical and Practical Component, and Part 2, the Design Component—must be passed before Test B can be taken into account in the calculation of the final grade.
• Where a student fails either assessment test, the maximum overall grade that may be awarded in the examination session will be 4 out of 10.

Evaluation of Teaching

The teaching experience will be evaluated by the students who have followed the course. This evaluation will include a critical assessment of the main aspects requiring improvement, including the organisation and integration of theoretical and practical components, course content, activities, tools and methodological approaches. Students will also be invited to propose ideas and suggestions for renewing and improving the learning experience in subsequent academic years.

This evaluation will be carried out once at the end of the course and, where considered necessary, also at the midpoint of the semester. It may be conducted and discussed openly in class or completed anonymously in written form.

Acquisition of Competences

In accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) and the University of Granada’s Secretariat for Inclusion and Diversity, the systems for the acquisition and assessment of competences set out in this course guide will be implemented according to the principle of design for all.

These systems will facilitate learning and the demonstration of acquired knowledge, taking into account students’ individual needs and functional diversity.

Digital Tools

The course is supported by two specific digital tools.

The University of Granada’s PRADO platform is the institutional tool that will be used primarily to support teaching, organise course content, manage the academic calendar and facilitate communication with students.

The course platform doyoucity, specifically developed by the Department of Urban and Spatial Planning of the University of Granada for teaching purposes, supports the graphic visualisation of content produced by both teaching staff and students. It also enables valuable interaction among participants and serves as a tool for enhancing the teaching and learning process.

Students with Specific Educational Needs

Information of interest to students with disabilities and/or Specific Educational Support Needs is published under the title “Social Intervention Programme for Students with Specific Educational Support Needs” at the following link:

https://ve.ugr.es/servicios/atencion-social/estudiantes-con-discapacidad

Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools

Students are responsible for the appropriate use of Artificial Intelligence tools. In all cases, they must take into account the provisions established by the University of Granada in the document “Recommendations for the Use of AI at the UGR”, as well as any specific instructions issued by the teaching staff of the course.

Información de interés para estudiantado con discapacidad y/o Necesidades Específicas de Apoyo Educativo (NEAE): Gestión de servicios y apoyos (https://ve.ugr.es/servicios/atencion-social/estudiantes-con-discapacidad).

The course will encourage the use of free and open-source software.