Design Guidelines

Submitted by thecobra2 on Wed, 11/26/2008 - 19:49.

I am currently in a Masters of Planning program and I am working on my Masters Degree Project. For the project I am creating design guidelines for a small town of 13,000 people. The design guidelines will cover all future commercial, retail and industrial buildings in the town. I have found lots of information on Urban Design theory but I am in need of some other information. I am looking for criticism on design guidelines and how it creates a stale environment. In addition, I am looking for information on the process to create design guidelines......

Any help would be appreciated

-Rod

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Design Guidelines

Submitted by LArch Planner on Mon, 12/01/2008 - 09:09.

Urban Design Associates (I think out of Pittsburgh, PA) does wonderful work with TNDs and especially design guidelines and pattern books. They published a fabulous book focusing on the techniques (a how to book) titled:
The Urban Design Handbook: Techniques & Working Methods

It's well done and helpful.

I think the approach to combat the potential sterileness resulting from using design guidlines is to use Form based codes/zoning (FBC) instead. I know this might not help you in this effort, but FBC are a viable alternative. Personally I think if the design guilelines/pattern books are done well they don't necessarily produce a stale environment. I've seen communities built from design guidleines and they look good, but FBC are an alternative which might result in more organic results.

You should also research the Norfolk City Planning Dept website. They did an excellent job with thier design guidelines (UDA actually did them) and you can see them online and download them or order a copy for free. Also, post Katrina rebuilding charrettes produced some very good design guidlines, showing how previous historic architecture, city forms, etc are used in creating design guidelines/pattern books that respond to a city's history and past architecture.

Good Luck - this isn't an area of strength for me...but hope this helps you.

Looks good....I will have a

Submitted by thecobra2 on Tue, 12/02/2008 - 21:40.

Looks good....I will have a look at the information you provided. I have heard about form based code so I will run it by some of the planners and get their feedback. I also heard about the Urban Design Handbook but I haven't got a copy yet. Are there any other Urban Design books I should seek out? Or good websites?

Urban Design Associates does

Submitted by LArch Planner on Wed, 12/03/2008 - 08:24.

Urban Design Associates does great work - check out thier web site
http://www.urbandesignassociates.com/index.html
They also offer another good book titled: The Architectural Pattern Book - on the store tab of the website.

Another indispensable book for all things related to New Urbanism, TNDs and town planning is:
New Urbanism:Comprehensive Report & Best Practices Guide (Published by New Urban News). This book is like a standards or reference book - Excellent info, and more than just theory....much usable data and design standards, i.e. how wide is a street, alley, blvd.). They have chapters on housing, scales of planning, retail, design process/charrettes, codes, legal issues, market and finances, and more.

You should also check out DPZ's website ( http://www.dpz.com/index.htm ). As you might know this firm is at the forefront...and I guess founder of the New Urbanist movement and the website is loaded with resources on many topics.

If you need more info on Form Based Codes and Zoning (again this is diferent than Design Standards, but a viable approach to encouraging good Urban Form) check out Peter Katz of the Form Based Codes Institute ( http://planningwiki.cyburbia.org/Form_based_code )

If you have't yet - The Norfolk Planning Dept is a great resource, check that out.

I hope others will chip in some advice on this.....this isn't my area of specialty.