COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: URBAN DESIGN II

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
ARCH 312	B	6	2	2	0	3	6

Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)	NA
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	Dr. Joana Dhiamandi jdhiamandi@epoka.edu.al , By appointment
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	NA
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Compulsory
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered)	Integrated second cycle study program in Architecture (5 years)
Classroom and Meeting Time:	A131 online - Wednesday 10,00-14,45
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours:	NA
Code of Ethics:	Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement:	N/A
Course Description:	Definition of the relationship between physical and socio-economic structure of a small settlement with 5000 to 15000 population. Analysis of natural environment. Existing land-use pattern, road network, infrastructure services. Analysis of socio-economic environment. Determination of problems, potential resources and goals. Evaluation of alternative proposals. Albanian Urban Legislation. Concept of law in general, classification of law and legal tools of law. Rules and regulations concern with the city planning and environmental protection. Topographic map, master plan, implementation plan. Requirements for making and revising various types of physical plans. Legal tools for the implementation of physical plans.
Course Objectives:	The general aim of the Course is to reach a “vision concept” for an "ephemeral" regeneration on the way of the most recent experiences, such as Tactical Urbanism, Pop-Up Designing, Guerrilla Urbana and so on. The Objective would be the rethinking of the small urban spaces, organic streets and paths, micro-economic alternatives, linked in a logic of unique system to increase urban soft mobility, to enhance the quality of urban life, to improve the social and the physical cohesion and to emphasize the many roles may played by the “inner precincts” in Tirana urban body. This Course would like to represent a different point of view on current city planning and rebuilding. It is also, and mostly, an attempt to introduce new principles of city planning and designing even if temporary, transitory, flexible, reversible, low-cost and… moderate.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1	Critical thinking in design process
2	Multidisciplinary approach
3	Context based design
4	Case study analyses

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Introduction + Reflections [Jan Gehl interview]
2	Analyses + Street elevation + Lecture on T.U [F. Naselli]
3	Conceptual masterplan+ Lecture on school streets
4	Conceptual masterplan. + 1:1000 scale proposals
5	Designing the street_ 1:500 scale
6	Designing the street_ 1:500 scale+ street model 1:500
7	Designing the street_ 1:500 scale+ street model 1:500
8	Designing the street_ 1:500 scale+ street model 1:500
9	Preliminary submission
10	Designing the street_ 1:200 scale+ workshop
11	Designing the street_ 1:200 scale+ workshop
12	Designing the street_ 1:200 scale + partial model 1:200
13	Designing the street_ 1:200 scale + partial model 1:200
14	Designing the street_ 1:200 scale + partial model 1:200

Prerequisite(s):	-
Textbook(s):	- M. Lyndon & Others Tactical Urbanism, Vol.s 1-4, USA - D. Sim, Soft City - J. Gehl, Cities for people
Additional Literature:	Will be delivered during the Course
Laboratory Work:	yes
Computer Usage:	Mandatory
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	an understanding of the relationship between buildings and their environment, indoors and outdoors and of the need to relate buildings and the spaces between them to human needs and scale;
2	an understanding of the scope of the art and science of Urban design;
3	an understanding of the new principles and elements of Urban design
4	an understanding of the basic elements (Lynch) and of natural and human elements
5	an ability to visualize urban elements and scenes in traditional and digital media
6	an ability to analyze and depict the context and the material and immaterial characteristics of a project site in traditional and digital media

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES (Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)

No	Program Competencies	Cont.
Integrated second cycle study program in Architecture (5 years) Program
1	Speaking and Writing Skills Ability to read, write, listen, and speak effectively	4
2	Critical Thinking Skills Ability to raise clear and precise questions, use abstract ideas to interpret information, consider diverse points of view, reach well-reasoned conclusions, and test them against relevant criteria and standards	5
3	Graphics Skills Ability to use appropriate representational media, including freehand drawing and computer technology, to convey essential formal elements at each stage of the programming and design process	5
4	Research Skills Ability to gather, assess, record, and apply relevant information in architectural course work	5
5	Formal Ordering Systems Understanding of the fundamentals of visual perception and the principles and systems of order that inform two- and three-dimensional design, architectural composition, and urban design	4
6	Fundamental Design Skills Ability to use basic architectural principles in the design of buildings, interior spaces, and sites	4
7	Collaborative Skills Ability to recognize the varied talent found in interdisciplinary design project teams in professional practice and work in collaboration with other students as members of a design team	5
8	International Traditions Understanding of the International architectural canons and traditions in architecture, landscape and urban design, as well as the climatic, technological, culture-economic, and other cultural factors that have shaped and sustained them	4
9	National and Regional Traditions Understanding of national traditions and the local regional heritage in architecture, landscape design and urban design, including the vernacular tradition	4
10	Use of Precedents Ability to incorporate relevant precedents into architecture and urban design projects	5
11	Conservation and Restoration of Historical Districts Knowledge on historical districts and the gain of conservation consciousness documentation of historical buildings and the understanding the techniques which are needed to prepare restoration projects.	3
12	Human Behavior Understanding of the theories and methods of inquiry that seek to clarify the relationship between human behavior and the physical environment	5
13	Human Diversity Understanding of the diverse needs, values, behavioral norms, physical ability, and social and spatial patterns that characterize different cultures and individuals and the implication of this diversity for the societal roles and responsibilities of architects	5

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Presentation	1	35
Project	1	50
Attendance		0
Other	1	15
	Total Percent:	100%

ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)

Activities	Quantity	Duration(Hours)	Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours)	16	4	64
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	4	4	16
Mid-terms			0
Assignments	5	8	40
Final examination	1	18	18
Other	1	12	12
Total Work Load:			150
Total Work Load/25(h):			6
ECTS Credit of the Course:			6

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER

to be completed at the end of the semester