Urban design has become increasingly important in cities and in the field of city planning. It is important for students of city planning to be aware of urban design literature, current discussions in the field of urban design and the major policies, strategies and guidelines of urban design. This course carries out this task by introducing students the nature, concepts, concerns and dimensions of urban design and by making them familiarized with the literature of urban design. It aims to help students to gain a rapid overview of the large span of urban design issues and to offer them a guide to urban design that is comprehensive, accessible and practical. The objectives of the course are therefore:

a) to introduce the origins, challenges and purposes of urban design and bring the more detailed discussions which urban design contains into the class;

b) to introduce basic notions and dimensions of urban design, such as morphological, perceptual, social, visual and functional dimensions;

c) to provide students with an introduction to the basic themes and topics that are fundamental to an understanding of the urban design process.