blog.
7th March 2022
A Landscape-Led Approach
Sustainable placemaking is a hot topic and rightly so, but what does this really mean in regards to implementation? It is predicted that 2.5 billion people will be living in our cities by 2050, a statistic that will not only place great strain on the environment but the economy and wider society too. So, what can be done?
A well-considered landscape led approach can bring a multitude of benefits directly to a community and Thammasat University’s newest campus building is an exemplar of such theory in action. On the
peripheries of the densely populated, low income, climate vulnerable capital of Bangkok is Asia’s largest urban rooftop farm spanning 1.7 acres atop a state of the art learning complex. The cascading roof structure has been designed to mimic the region’s rice paddies whilst acting as a natural irrigation system to support the 20,000 tonnes of certified organic food produced annually (equivalent to 80,000 meals). During Thailand’s monsoon season, four large retention ponds help protect the neighbourhood from flash flooding whilst in times of low rainfall the 500,000 watts of electricity provided by a network of integrated PV panels pump excess water back into the irrigation system. Local residents are encouraged to explore this slice of nature via a myriad of accessible pathways and seating and further benefit from a number of paid employment opportunities generated by this extensive and productive roof garden.
I hope Thammasat University has sparked your imagination as it has mine and acts as a reminder that the design of future buildings should not be based solely on aesthetics and economics but rather the needs of the communities in which they occupy.
Becky Wakelin
Second Year UDP
14th February 2022
Collage Workshop
Last Tuesday, UrbOx hosted their first in-person workshop titled 'The Post-Pandemic Learning Space'. The aim of the workshop was to gain an insight into student views on how the post-pandemic learning space should look. Students from all levels and a variety of courses, including Urban Design, Computer Science and Film, were split into groups. The initial exercise consisted of a quick brainstorm about the key features of the learning space they had a photo of, followed by a quick pizza break and then we began the collage making process. For the collage, students used a variety of materials, such as magazines, fake grass, ribbons and more.
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The workshop was a huge success. The main things that we extracted were that learning spaces should become adaptable easily, using moveable dividers, per one group's suggestion, to help make the learning space useable for a variety of groups at the same time. Secondly, bringing some home comforts into our learning spaces, such as comfortable seating, lighting and more personalised spaces, to ensure maximum comfort especially after working from home for 18 months! Finally, making use of outdoor spaces was a key finding, to ensure, in the case of it being safer to meet in groups outdoors as COVID-19 has shown us, there can be a smoother transition into using outdoor spaces. In addition, spending time outdoors can positively affect our mental health, including helping to create a clearer mind.
Nadine Alnajjab
Third Year UDP
7th February 2022
Diversity in Planning and other BE professions
Perez's (2020) book Invisible Women seeks to expose the data bias that exists in a world designed for men.
A thought-provoking example she highlights is the case of sexist snow-clearing in Karlskoga, Sweden. Snow-clearing began with the major traffic arteries, and ended with pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths. Initially, you may think nothing of this, but, as she rightly states, 'this was affecting men and women differently because men and women travel differently' (Perez, 2020, p.29). There are differences in the mode of travel used by both genders, as well as the routes in which they take. For example, women are more likely than men to walk and take public transport, and men are most likely to have a fairly simple travel pattern. The original snow-clearing schedule hadn't been deliberately designed to benefit men at the expense of women, but rather was a result of a gender data gap and a gap in perspective.
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In considering this, along with other examples discussed in the book, it is worthy to note the importance of diversity in decision-making positions, not just for women, in order to create more equitable and inclusive environments for all.
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I hope this makes you think about minority users in your urban design and planning work. I would really recommend reading Perez's book if you haven't already - it is very eye-opening.
Ingrid Mankelow
MA Urban Design
31st January 2022
From Architecture to Urban Design
I remember one evening working with my studio mates in the undergraduate studio (architecture). While working on our final project, we started to question the meaning of sustainability in the context of the built environment. Is designing a sustainable building enough when the entire project itself is unsustainable? We concluded that sustainability starts at the grass-root level. Both the construction and the master plan have to work concurrently to achieve a sustainable design. From what I see, Urban Design is an integration between architecture and planning, where the construction of the buildings is just as important as the master planning itself.
Another aspect that gained my interest in Urban Design is how it places a strong emphasis on open space and the public realm. The public realm tackles the issue of inclusivity and accessibility across all ages, gender, races and many more. I see Urban Design as one of the main solutions and tools to a better living environment for all.
Huda's portfolio can be found here.
Huda Hameed
MA Urban Design
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25th January 2022
Shared Streets
Based on the recent events, many local authorities, people, and organisations felt the need for greater public open space as the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak became apparent in March 2020. Families required safe places to exercise, interact, and move around their neighbourhoods. More people have started to realise how tough it is to change, not only how the society moves, works, and interacts, but also how challenging it is to change culturally accepted standards across the world. Moreover, alternative modes of transport including walking and cycling increased as many people have had to work from home, relying less on their car.
The creation of shared spaces became more evident as the feel of the streets changed, from busy and stressful central roads to spaces where pedestrians dominated. This increased the importance of shared spaces between transport and foot traffic which can be done in a variety of ways:
- The removal of curbs and many signage contributes to the creation of safer and more usable environments
- Creating transitional sections that impede the nature of the street (e.g. outdoor seating, extending restaurants and cafes onto the street)
These forms remove formal barriers between pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle zones creating a more inclusive environment, particularly when combined with streetscape activation.
Julia Szczesna
Third Year UDP
15th November 2021
The Great Outdoors
It is estimated that on average people spend 90% of their day inside and since hearing this fact, I can’t help but keep referring back to it in my mind. Not only does it bring about a sense of claustrophobia but I can’t help but worry about the impending health implications, both physical and mental. Humans weren’t created to be sedentary creatures. I am not saying this to pass blame but to simply make us realise that cities need to be built to respond to our most basic human needs, those of physical exercise, fresh air and interaction with others.
Even before the pandemic, there was a call to make cities more walkable, more liveable, and more hospitable to those who wanted to venture outside onto the pavements and into the parks without threat from cars, pollution and anti-social behaviour. So, as urban designers and planners, it is our duty to plan, create and protect these spaces so that people can have a choice as to how much time they spend in the great outdoors.
Becky Wakelin
Second Year UDP
8th November 2021
Planning for Who?
The relationship between people and place is one of an affective bond. For too long our planning system has facilitated a growing disconnect between the two.
Since the age of 12, I have been running the online platform Future Chatham and its associated social media to independently inform a readership of over 80,000 local people about the changes, development and regeneration of my hometown. It’s absolutely crucial that people are kept up-to-date to help them piece together well-informed opinions on local planning issues that matter to them. Among other roles, I sit on the committee of the Arches Chatham Neighbourhood Forum, through which we are producing one of a few urban neighbourhood plans in Kent and among the first neighbourhood developments orders in England together with social enterprise Create Streets. Currently chairing the resident-led organisation Arches Local, I have seen first-hand the positive impact of delivering change from the grassroots level, with our projects aiming to maximise the collective benefit to as many residents in our area as possible by namely involving local people themselves.
Never has the time been important as now to place communities in the driving seat to shape the future of their localities. Whatever direction potential reforms of the planning system take, as planners and urban designers we must always ask ourselves this: whose future are we planning for?
George Atzev
Second Year UDP
1st November 2021
COP26
Yesterday was the first day of COP26, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which is the most important summit on climate change in a generation. Similar to a previous blog post on Climate Conscious Places, we believe that it is important to highlight the significance of our disciplines in delivering a better world. 'Design can - and must - help us fundamentally redesign the way we live our lives, putting the planet, and the people that it gives a home, at the heart of what we do' (Design Council, 2021).
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COP26 runs until 12th November, and we would encourage you all to keep up-to-date with the topics and ambitions that will be discussed and consider how they might impact the places we live, work and experience, as well as how we can address them through urban design and planning.
The COP26 website can be found here.
UrbOx
Committee
25th October 2021
Adapting to Studying Part Time & Working in
Practice
When I began to consider an MA in Urban Design I hadn’t thought about studying part time, however it was pointed out to me by several people already working in practice how beneficial studying and working side by side would be. In July I was fortunate to begin my professional career with Place By Design, an urban design and architectural practice based in Bristol. As soon as I started, I experienced just how refreshing it is to utilise what I’ve learnt at uni towards real projects. I would encourage any student who wishes to continue into the MA Urban Design to consider studying part time and working in practice. As the two really go hand in hand, I’ve already seen an improvement in my uni work and am able to bring more to lectures due to what I learn in the working world! Notably through learning how to use design software in a more professional way, the higher detail that is required for documents such as design and access statements, and how interdisciplinary urban design really is.
As a part time student I work 3 days a week in practice, paired with 1 contact day a week for uni, giving me an extra day to get uni work done. So far I’ve found this arrangement very manageable, especially given that the vast majority of my work is all done from my flat in Oxford.
If you ever have any questions about this, feel free to message me on LinkedIn, here.
Nick Humphries
MA Urban Design PT
18th October 2021
The Effects of COVID-19 in Cities
Focusing on the High Street
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic can be seen throughout cities and towns, with shops closing and public spaces becoming busier as we begin to socialise outdoors due to the outdoors being a safer environment. The effect of the pandemic can be seen most in ‘urban poor’ areas, this is due to the high concentration of people living in proximity. The provision of good quality outdoor urban areas has become more vital than before, in order to provide residents with areas to meet, exercise and socialise safely. In addition to the provision of good public outdoor areas, the consideration of adding better amenities and public health infrastructure will aid in making high density areas much less vulnerable to the effects of the pandemic.
Recovery in cities will initially start with economic recovery, however full economic recovery will not be possible without social development, including urban development. The research into how best come back from the halt the pandemic bought to our lives is still on-going, we are not in the phase of being ‘post-pandemic’ yet. With the use of vaccines we are on the road to recovery, however new findings on how best to recover from the pandemic will be emerging in the coming months, due to the evolving nature of the pandemic.
Nadine Alnajjab
Third Year UDP
11th October 2021
Cities are Solutions
I'm Tim, an enthusiastic and creative postgraduate student with a BA in Urban Design, Planning and Development at OBU. I strive to become a high-class expert in dealing with complex urban challenges and designing people-centred places.
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Last year I created a blog on Instagram (@abidov_urbanist) about cities, the urban environment and urban living. There, I freely share my views on topics that interest me most. Throughout my education journey, I have realised how competitive the field of urban design is, and to start the right first job isn't just about graduating with good grades. By running the blog I intend to improve my communication and creativity, develop my confidence in speaking on camera, get general knowledge in social media marketing, and expand my horizons about urbanism and urban design. Importantly, I also use this blog as my design portfolio. Soon I will be starting my YouTube channel.
Please follow my socials to stay updated:
LinkedIn: Timirlans Abidov
Tim Abidovs
MA Urban Design
4th October 2021
The Wonderful World of Oxford
'That sweet city with her dreaming spires
She needs not June for beauty’s heightening’ - 1866
I wanted to start this piece with a quote from the poem ‘Thyrsis’ by Matthew Arnold as it embodies my views of Oxford and perhaps yours. Oxford is an ever-changing city; land is being opened for development, such as Oxpens Meadow. Urban rejuvenation has and still is taking place. For example, the new Westgate shopping centre and
car-dominated streetscapes have been handed back to people providing new pocket parks and space for social activities.
One of the things I love about Oxford is that there is always a new urban structure, feature, or art piece to spot. When you think you have seen it all, something suddenly appears and makes you go wow! To the right is a collection of urban artworks, features and structures that you can find within Oxford. Some of these places you may have visited, however, you may not have done. I am not giving away the location of where I took these photos, so if you would like to find out where they are, have a little exploration around the city.
Maybe we could do something with all the photos that we take? Happy exploring!
Cam Abbey
MA Urban Design
27th September 2021
All Things Urban
A New Platform for Urban Design Inspiration
Urban Designers, Architects and Landscape Designers all tend to view the world around us differently than to the general public, noticing buildings, parks or street features, for example, that spark interest. As a student at Oxford Brookes, my interest in Urban Design keeps growing, alongside my appreciation for the natural and built environments.
All Things Urban is a social media platform that aims to spread the views that these professionals have of their surroundings, to generate a greater sense of enjoyment of place.
By giving examples of good case studies, or humorously highlighting urban design issues, I hope to not only inspire good design but create a demand for it.
To be inspired, or to learn something new, make sure to follow All Things Urban at:
Instagram: @all.things.urb4n
TikTok: @all.things.urban
YouTube: All Things Urban
Joe Bonomo
Third Year UDP
20th September 2021
Carbon Conscious Places
In their report ‘Designing for a Changing Climate’, Architecture and Design Scotland discuss 8 principles that they believe are key to a carbon conscious place.
1 - a place-led approach
2 - a place of small distances
3 - a network of small distance places
4 - a place designed for and with local people
5 - a place that reuses, repurposes and considers whole life costs
6 - a place with whole and circular systems
7 - a place that supports sharing
8 - a place designed in time
Whilst the research was conducted in relation to Scotland’s response to the climate crisis, the fundamental theory provides a useful precedent for similar contexts within the UK and Europe. We, as urban design and planning students, have the opportunity to incorporate many of these in our university work now and in our professional careers in the future to help make a positive impact and encourage the much needed change within the built environment.
Have a look at the 'Designing for a Changing Climate' report in more detail here.
Ingrid Mankelow
MA Urban Design
