ARCT40680 Postgraduate Studio

Academic Year 2023/2024

The aim of this module is to introduce students to contemporary and emerging research and practice in the field of urban design, undertaken as an analysis and redesign of a specific urban setting. The urban site varies each year in reference to topical concerns and is shared with the Plan Making Studio of the Masters of Regional & Urban Planning to develop cross-disciplinary discussion on the roles and practices of urban designers and planners. The content of the module is structured on problem based learning supported by one-on-one and group tutorials during studio sessions. Using the given case study site, students will analyse the history, structure and factors that contributed to the shaping of the current form of the selected urban site; identify the salient issues that require redress; and develop strategies to improve the chosen urban site. Each stage of work will be reviewed as a presentation online or in-class, with shared reviews with the Plan Making Studio when appropriate. Students are encouraged to work across these disciplines to develop their understanding of these two distinct but allied professions.

Students will be encouraged to develop their own research and visual language, with clear individual contributions, while contributing to a series of group projects. The parameters of the projects will be set by the teaching staff to reflect contemporary and emerging issues in urban design both nationally and internationally that are pertinent to the site under study. The analysis work may involve historical, morphological, conservation, sustainability, urban design or landscape research. The strategy and design which follows the analysis phase will involve both graphic, verbal and written skills.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Demonstrate an understanding of current debates within the discipline of urban design, within the site analysis, the design phase and the final essay.

Demonstrate advanced theoretical and conceptual knowledge of urban design in relation to a specific urban landscape, within the site analysis, the design phase and the final essay.

Demonstrate an advanced ability to apply concepts and theoretical knowledge to current problems affecting the designed environment in relation to a specific urban landscape.

Demonstrate the ability to work in an interdisiplinary environment and to present a group project in a variety of formats.

Indicative Module Content:

Weeks 1-5: Introduction to urban site, including site visits, if possible, and meetings with local councils where appropriate, followed by research and analysis of the site. Key topics introduced through specialist lectures, readings or studio discussions include urban analysis methodologies (general arrangement analysis drawings; 3D modelling of historic, existing site and surrounding neighbourhood and character areas; public life audit; street/block survey; urban density analysis); critical theories on urban design; and introduction to national and regional planning and urban design policies and issues relevant to the chosen site.

Weeks 6-12: Strategy and design development for the chosen site, based on a theme identified by individual students. Key topics introduced through specialist lectures, readings or studio discussions include contemporary trends in urban design practice; critical theories on urban design; graphic analysis and design, presentation techniques.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

12
Studio

84
Field Trip/External Visits

24
Autonomous Student Learning

180
Total

300
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Key teaching and learning approaches in this module include;

* Lectures to introduce urban site, including site visits if possible and meetings with local councils where appropriate.

* Active/task-based learning (group) online or in studio during research and analysis of the site. This work will be undertaken in teams and supported by online or in-studio discussions, specialist lectures pertinent to the site under study, and case-studies.

* Student group presentations of research in week 5 in-class for discussion.

* Problem-based learning (individual or small teams) online or in studio during strategy and design phase to address the salient issues found during the analysis phase of the work. This will be supported by online or in-studio discussions and specialist lectures where pertinent to the site under study.

* A series of informal online or in-class student presentations may be held to facilitate the exchange of ideas and reflective learning across the class.

* Final student presentation in week 12 to the teaching staff and invited guests for discussion and reflective learning. An additional end of trimester presentation may be made to local council authorities if relevant.

* Critical reflection and writing (individual and group) of a final essay from each student, compiled into a collective report, for assessment following the end of the trimester. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Group Project: Report on analysis work undertaken by sub-group for the site assigned, organised with individual student contributions into a single coherent document. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

10
Group Project: Submission of collective sub-group presentation [slides] of urban analysis of the site assigned for study. Week 5 n/a Graded No

15
Presentation: Collective [group] presentation of urban design strategies for the site assigned for study. Week 12 n/a Graded No

10
Essay: Essay on individual urban design project, reflecting on analysis and urban design work undertaken across the semester. The Essay and urban design project form part of the collective [group] report. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

60
Presentation: Collective (group) presentation of urban analysis of the site assigned for study. Week 5 n/a Graded No

5

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will be provided continuous feedback on the development of the work, individually or as a group, during studio as their work progresses throughout the term. Following each of the two assessed presentations, a more focused session will be held to discuss the presentations with the class as a group. Individual interviews with students will be held with the module coordinator/instructors following submission of the final document, to discuss development and provide guidance on future development.

BOOKS

Kropf K. (2018) The handbook of urban morphology: John Wiley & Sons.

Murphy O. (2012) Town Origins, Morphology and Future, Dublin: WG Baird.

Tarbatt, J. (2012). The Plot: Designing Diversity in the Built Environment: A Manual for architects and urban designers. London, RIBA Publishing.

JOURNAL ARTICLES / BOOK CHAPTERS

Soja, E. W. (2009). ‘Designing the Postmetropolis’. Urban Design. A. Kreiger, Saunders, William S., Minneapolis, University of Minnesota Press: 255-269.

Soja E. (2015) ‘Accentuate the Regional’. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research 39: 372-381.

Hughes B. (2010) The Greater Dublin Area: Ireland's Potential City-State of the Early 21st Century. Construction, Real Estate and Construction Economics, Spatial Planning and Environmental Management. Dublin: Dublin Institute of Technology.

Gkartzios M and Shucksmith M. (2015) ‘'Spatial anarchy' versus 'spatial apartheid': rural housing ironies in Ireland and England’. The Town Planning Review 86: 53-72.

O’Connor, D. (2017) Where is Dublin ? , Online article, Dublin Inquirer, August 2017

Leyden KM. (2003) Social Capital and the Built Environment: The Importance of Walkable Neighborhoods. American Journal of Public Health 93: 1546-1551.

Hughes B. (2015) Recent demographic growth in Ireland Implications for future Spatial Planning and Housing Provision.

BEST PRACTICE MANUALS

Urban Design Manual, Part 1, Part 2 (2009)

Permeability Best Practice Guide, (NTA, 2015)

Design Manual for Urban Roads & Streets (DMURS), (2013) (incl. Quality Audit Pdf)


Name Role
Assoc Professor Elizabeth Shotton Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Studio Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Fri 09:00 - 16:50
Studio Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 14:00 - 16:50
Autumn