Module 2 Response

The material for this module was focused on the prevailing theories and philosophies of Urban Design. There is not one right way to design effective urban space as mentioned in my previous blog. This being said, there is great value in studying and understanding the theories surrounding urban design.

Societal Theory maintains that the city is an expression of society. Social re-organization must accompany special re-organization in this theory. Formal Theory suggests that the form of an urban space is what defines the society that inhabits it. The attention is given to form rather than function since the built environment will likely exist to experience a variety of uses. Environmental Theory presents that idea that urban space is a living environment that must suit its inhabitants. This theory places great value in the human scale rather than focusing on the city scale.

Societal theory includes Le Corbusier’s Contemporary City. Corbusier suggested that the city exists as a machine. Different parts of the city serve different functions all of which come together to create a functioning city, a functioning society. It is beneficial to pay attention to the city scale when designing as Corbusier did. Understanding how the city functions from the perspective of a machine lends valuable insight and should be considered in design. His ideas, and the ideas of societal theory, neglect the importance of the human scale and creating a sense of place and belonging.

In contrast, environmental theories are focused on the human scale. It is important to consider the individual living environment created in a city. Comparing the city to a machine removes the human aspect. The city must feel like home to create successful community. Focusing on issues like livable streets rather than highways improve the quality of life. Worrying only about the human scale neglects many of the large scale, big picture connections that create successful cities. Both need the other. To exist and function the city needs humans who enjoy and belong to the space they inhabit. To live in the city humans must contribute to the overall society that is made possible by the “machine” aspects of the city.

The built environment drastically influences its habitants. The form of the city from each individual building to the overall infrastructure has great effect on the society as a whole. Formal theories believe in the cohesive aesthetic of a city. The city is considered as deteriorated from a more complete historical state. The city is a total architecture rather than individual buildings. This is valuable in that it creates a desire to remain connected to whatever makes the city unique and special. To create a sense of place and identity it is important to have an overarching aesthetic. This form of thought and design can lead to homogeneity. A city that is comprised of entirely similar buildings loses its ability to fulfill the unique and individual needs of each area and use.

In all, there are many useful processes for addressing the design problem at hand. The theories mentioned within the discipline of Urban Design are not good answers on their own. The ideals of each become much more effective when combined and used in accordance with given design problem.