COURSE INFORMATION
Course Title: URBAN PLANNING
Code Course Type Regular Semester Theory Practice Lab Credits ECTS
ARCH 461 B 1 4 0 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. Paolo Camilletti pcamilletti@epoka.edu.al , Monday 14:30-16:30
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: NA
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: NA
Language: English
Compulsory/Elective: Compulsory
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered) Master of Science in Architecture
Classroom and Meeting Time: TBD
Code of Ethics: Code of Ethics of EPOKA University
Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement: 75%
Course Description: The evolution of the cities and their environment has witnessed the influence of various human-related factors, mainly reflecting the civilisations, the progress, and the socio-economic field. Today, new and even more demanding challenges are under the magnifying lens of researchers and experts in urban planning. The goal of this course is to provide an historical overview of human settlements and urban planning. Through the analysis of the most relevant theories and approaches to such discipline, the course provides tools for the planning activity as well as for a deeper understanding of the contemporary debate on the urban environment.
Course Objectives: The main objective of this course is to enable students (future architects & urban planners) to understand the evolution and the challenges of the urban environment. Hence, students will improve their knowledge of the history of towns and planning theories.
BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE
1 Environment and communities
2 Town and countryside
3 Building types
4 Landscape and territory
5 Planning
COURSE OUTLINE
Week Topics
1 Introduction to the course. Urban planning: the discipline and its birth.
2 Territory and settlement: definitions and evolution.
3 Historical overview of the city: early civilisations, antiquity, Middle Ages,.
4 Historical overview of the city: Renaissance and the Modern era.
5 The impact of the Industrial Revolutions: the urbanisation.
6 XIX century urban planning in Europe: Cerdà, Haussman. The Ring of WIen.
7 XIX-XX century urban planning in Europe: SItte, Howard, Geddes.
8 Functionalism, Rationalism, Modernism. Zoning. The Avant-garde.
9 The foundation of new towns and cities in the XX century.
10 Urban theories and debate after the Second World War.
11 Green-blue infrastructures and the transect method.
12 Landscape Urbanism: greening the cities.
13 Contemporary and future cities: RGB, Augmented, and Smart Cities.
14 Term paper discussion.
Prerequisite(s): Knowledge of the basic components of the built environment and housing tipology.
Textbook(s): Acierno, A. (2019). Chromatic city. Applying s-RGB Design to contemporary space. Napoli: Fedoa Press. Hall, P. G. (2002). Cities of tomorrow. An intellectual history of urban planning and design in the Twentieth Century. Oxford: Blackwell. Levy, J.M. (2017). Contemporary urban planning. New York and London: Routledge. Lynch, K. (1960). The image of the city. Boston: MIT. Lynch, K. (1974). Site planning. Boston: MIT. Rabinowitz Bussell, M. (2012). History of Urban Planning and Design. San Diego: Cognella Academic Publishing.
Additional Literature: Artuso M., (2011). ‘State of the World Cities 2010/11, bridging the urban divide, by UN Habitat, London Earthscan’, Urban Research and Practice, V.4, N2, 221-223. Ellin, N. (2013). Good urbanism, six steps to creating prosperous places, Island press, Washington. Florida, R. (2017). The new urban crisis, how our cities are increasing inequality, deepening segregation, and failing the middle class – and what we can do about it. New York: Basic Book. Gravel, R. (2016). Where we want to live, reclaiming infrastructure for a new generation of cities. New York: St Martin press. Hardoy ,E. J., Mitlin, D., and Satterthwaite, D. (2001). Environmental problems in an urbanizing world, New York and London: Routledge. Soja, E. W. (2010). Seeking spatial justice. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota press. Association Maires de Grandes Villes de France (2019) “A French experience of smart cities”. Paris: Vivapolis. Further readings on urban planners and theories will be illustrated at lesson.
Laboratory Work: no
Computer Usage: no
Others: No
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1 Knowledge about the history of towns and cities
2 Urban planning theories
3 Contemporary and innovative approaches in Urban planning
4 Multidisciplinary approach to Urban planning
5 Comprehensive critical thinking
COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
(Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)
No Program Competencies Cont.
Master of Science in Architecture 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 3
4 Research Skills Ability to gather, assess, record, and apply relevant information in architectural course work 4
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 3
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 3
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 5
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 4
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 4
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 4
COURSE EVALUATION METHOD
Method Quantity Percentage
Term Paper
1
30
Final Exam
1
40
Other
1
30
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 3 48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 16 3 48
Mid-terms 0
Assignments 1 21 21
Final examination 1 3 3
Other 1 30 30
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 by the end of the semester