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)	Assoc.Prof.Dr. Valerio Perna vperna@epoka.edu.al
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	Assoc.Prof.Dr. Valerio Perna vperna@epoka.edu.al , Tuesday, 11:30-12:30
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:	Studio III _ 8:40-12:30
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:
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 objective of this course is to develop urban design proposals for neighborhoods in Tirana, based on the principles of the 15-minute city. Students will conduct comprehensive territorial and social analyses to understand the various spatial, environmental, and socio-economic dimensions of the selected area. Based on this research, they will develop conceptual urban proposals at a broader city scale, followed by the development of a neighborhood masterplan and a detailed design for a specific focus zone. Throughout the design process, students will integrate key principles such as the 15-minute city model, human- scale neighborhood design, and nature-based solutions to create inclusive, accessible, and sustainable urban habitats.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1	Urban Design
2	15-minute city
3	Human scale design
4	Mixed use development
5	Walkable neighborhood

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Introduction. Project brief. Lecture on 15-minute city concept
2	Lecture on conceptual urban masterplan. Discussion on first urban Analyses. Larger context. Genius loci
3	Discussion on urban analyses + conceptual masterplan
4	Discussion on conceptual masterplan. Diagrams, mapping, infographics, sketches
5	Discussion on conceptual masterplan+ Draft of urban Master concept [1:2000, 1:000]
6	Lecture; Christopher Alexander patterns. Neighborhood design_ Concept+ 1:1000 scale proposals
7	Preliminary submission
8	Neighborhood design_ 1:1000 scale proposals+ model. Streets, sidewalks, plazas, parks, gardens, building footprints, building uses
9	Lecture: Standards of urban design. Neighborhood design_ 1:1000 scale proposals+ model+ draft in 1:500
10	Lecture: Nature based solutions. Neighborhood design_ 1:500
11	Neighborhood design_ 1:500+ working model [1:500]
12	Neighborhood design_ 1:500+ working model [1:500]
13	Neighborhood design_ 1:500+1:200, + working model [1:500]
14	Neighborhood design_ 1:500+ 1:200, +final model [1:500]

Prerequisite(s):	Laptops - Translucent paper - Drawing and model making equipment
Textbook(s):	-Alexander, C., Ishikawa, S., & Silverstein, M. (1977). A pattern language: towns, buildings, construction. New York, Oxford University Press. -Gehl, J. (2010). Cities for People. Island Press. - David Sim, Soft city; building density for everyday life: Island Press, Washington DC, 2019 - Marion Roberts, Clara Greed,(2001), Approaching Urban Design, Routledge, London - Llewelyn-Davies (2000), Urban Design Compendium [1,2], English Partnerships & The Housing Copporation, U.K.,
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

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 after the end of the course