Basics of Urbanism

An informative manual for a new territorial approach to urban design in the twenty-first century, based on twelve key concepts.

Urban design today is facing a multitude of challenges. Using twelve key terms, this book connects these challenges to current urban design projects in Europe. It introduces concepts, presents possible solutions, and describes implementation processes. A special focus is put on the interaction of the built environment with living systems—an approach that is slowly gaining acceptance within the urban design community and that is setting aside a primarily building-oriented practice in favor of an increased appreciation of open space.

Basics of Urbanism defines and illustrates parameters with a territorial approach to urban design. Space between buildings is treated as an essential structure for environmental and social change within small-scale neighborhoods and blocks, as well as at the level of districts and even entire cities. This approach includes forward-thinking temporal aspects as well as the implementation of existing resources in the creation of new spatial qualities. A concise survey and clear presentation of a range of planning tools make the book equally suitable for students and practitioners.