THE BIG RETHINK: URBAN DESIGN 6 March 2013 | By Peter Buchanan; Summary Review

Urban Design Planning

Modernist Approach Planning; Le Corbusier

In my opinion, urban design is the planning of human interaction in a space with it being versatile enough to evolve throughout the stages of the growing globe.

An intricate framework which many fail to grasp, it has been known to be the salvation of the modernistic world and time frame to retain all historical ethos that is slowing disappearing; in the architecture, transport and the way we interact with each other and the environment.

Urban Design touches on so many aspects, down to the most micro of scale; to me it is of a sympathetic one, to create a liveable and adaptable framework for the civilians to live in.  As mentioned in the article,  ‘’ And despite the slums’ decrepit and unhealthy conditions, they do in a sense ‘work’: people progressively upgrade their homes, or move on, as they can afford to; and the slums are hotbeds of small-scale entrepreneurship and creativity.’’ a controversial statement in contrast to the working redeveloped cities of the world, which is true urban design? The abilities to work within one’s means or to reinvent and create flashy technological corrections to faults we deem could hinder a society. I believe the ability to merge the both would be one solution to true urban design, to shape and craft a landscape with whatever’s present, to make it a workable and user-friendly network for all nationalities that engage in the space. 

Urban design could be one of the most sensitive ways of planning macro-scaled spaces till date; with aims to merge the old and new. Much old architecture have been demolished or refurbished due to the up rise of modernism, and a whole lot of it cannot be salvaged; this leads to the loss of culture. Even food, which I believe is the only method standing strong in upholding the cultural roots of individuals, is slowly dwindling as many stray away from the traditional communal dining of slow cooked dishes, to the fast-food eateries and cafes which allow them to achieve a full belly with more time to spare. Why the need for speed though? ; Well to simply put it, there’s not enough time. Modernistic approaches in the past have created cities with high output; applying to the individuals as well.

Many companies and industry now sought for creative individuals, those who stray away from the statistics, to somewhat help them regain their ‘souls’ from the corporate world. These imaginative individuals could be the resolution to the cold world.

For too long, Urban Design has been too closely associated with the modernist approach, which focuses on output and functionality while the former focuses on the interactions and workability present between civilian to space, to nature and vice versa.

Even if it leads to the toning down of outrageous and death-defying architecture, and the promotion of simple geometrical buildings; Because art is flexible, and can be expressed in more than just facade or form.

It might be time for a more empathetic approach for all individuals out there towards crafting a new world for the upcoming generations. In aim to create a workable and liveable network, both on the macro and micro scale, which celebrates the culture and past which has helped shaped the world today; in rejuvenation of the earth.