ARC 350R & ARC 386M
Urban Design Theory and Practice

Instructor: Sinclair Black, FAIA
Time and Place: Monday 7:00-10:00 pm Sutton 2.102
Phone: 474-1632 Black & Vernooy

The goal of this course is to understand and define the field of urban design as it exists or does not yet exist between architecture and planning. Insight into how cities, districts, streets and buildings are the way they are is the objective. This is achieved through Austin examples, issue discussions, and case studies of existing places in order to understand the historical, political, technical and physical forces that shaped them.

The class will involve lectures, videos, a walking tour of San Antonio, numerous walks in downtown Austin and two presentations by each member of the class. The first presentation will be issue/element oriented. The second and more important paper/presentation will be to gain insight in the form of a case study about an existing place.

Examples of the first, and smaller, paper might be The History of Urban Markets, Great Urban Parks, Facade Elements, Changing Form of Retail or State Capitals and their Architects. These papers will also be presented in a 20-minute slide lecture with ten-minute discussion. Examples of the final and even more important paper might be The Re-invention of Portland's Streets, The Urban Plan of Savannah, The Redevelopment of Inner Harbor, Baltimore, to be presented in a 40-minute slide or power point lecture to the class as well as a paper with the slides, which the University keeps as an archive. You propose the topic and we will all discuss it, define and focus it.

We will draw for sequence of presentation 1-15. If you are lucky you will get #1. The sequence will apply to the first paper and to the second paper. In other words, your work schedules for the semester may be early or late, not both, but it will be up to you to meet the deadlines.

There will be a reading packet and at least one formal discussion session in addition to the seminar discussions. Attendance is critical to this class since each class counts for three. Don't plan to miss even one.

Proposed Schedule for the Semester

August

Introduction / What Is Urban Design / Assignments / Reading
Video, ROME

September

Elements of Urban Form
Video, PARIS

UT, State and CBD Comparisons
Video, LONDON

Urban Design Case Studies of Austin
Video, WASH. DC

Urban Design Case Studies of Austin
Video, PORTLAND

Urban Design Case Studies of Austin
Video, LIGHT RAIL

October

Reports, 20 Minute Slide Presentations

Field Trip - WALKING TOUR OF SAN ANTONIO.

Meet in Alamo Plaza @ 10:00 AM

Reports, 20 Minute Slide Presentations

Round Table Discussion on Urban Design

Case Studies, 40 Minute Slide/Power Point Presentations

November

Case Studies, 40 Minute Slide/Power Point Presentations

Case Studies, 40 Minute Slide/Power Point Presentations

Case Studies, 40 Minute Slide/Power Point Presentations

Holiday - Thanksgiving

December

Summary Discussion--Bring your best questions for a round table discussion.