URBAN CHARACTER ANALYSIS

Identifies key things that make up the qualities of an urban area Identifies key things that make up the qualities of an urban area Sets out the things that will improve the quality of such areas: trees & landscapes; protection of views and landmarks; character of local streets; building shape and form; diversity of housing e.t.c Sets out the things that will improve the quality of such areas: trees & landscapes; protection of views and landmarks; character of local streets; building shape and form; diversity of housing e.t.c The outcome is evolution of design guidelines for safeguarding and improving character that could culminate in adoption of policy. The outcome is evolution of design guidelines for safeguarding and improving character that could culminate in adoption of policy.

Urban Design Issues Identity of towns often associated with high degree of authenticity of form and character Identity of towns often associated with high degree of authenticity of form and character Identification of such character and assessment of its significance to determine the need for character management techniques and when to apply these Identification of such character and assessment of its significance to determine the need for character management techniques and when to apply these Effective techniques for character evaluation Effective techniques for character evaluation Illustration of ways of measuring the value and relative significance of urban areas Illustration of ways of measuring the value and relative significance of urban areas Recommendations/ on appropriate types of development control guidelines Recommendations/ on appropriate types of development control guidelines

Methodology Identification of typical development patterns, in space and time, relating to various aspects: building age, type, scale, height, site coverage, lot size & morphology, frontage, setbacks e.t.c Identification of typical development patterns, in space and time, relating to various aspects: building age, type, scale, height, site coverage, lot size & morphology, frontage, setbacks e.t.c Summary of systematic urban design evaluation of the study area. Summary of systematic urban design evaluation of the study area. Evaluation is broadly based on, but not limited to, the following areas: Evaluation is broadly based on, but not limited to, the following areas: 1. Townscape/Street scape analysis: - identification of important visual characteristics of streets and adjacent buildings - identification of important visual characteristics of streets and adjacent buildings - verification of location and character of development - verification of location and character of development - overview of specific features and patterns of various parts - overview of specific features and patterns of various parts - recording of key characteristics using the designed checklists - recording of key characteristics using the designed checklists - photographic recording of all defining patterns of streets - photographic recording of all defining patterns of streets 2. Use of property records: 2. Use of property records: - various data based on land information system available at various authorities and repositories; may be in form of thematic maps: building age; building site coverage; building height, location of multi-unit dwellings - various data based on land information system available at various authorities and repositories; may be in form of thematic maps: building age; building site coverage; building height, location of multi-unit dwellings

3. Measurements: - these could be direct physical measurements from the ground or from cadastral maps and aerial photographs; 1:500 or larger is an appropriate scale - these could be direct physical measurements from the ground or from cadastral maps and aerial photographs; 1:500 or larger is an appropriate scale - results are then tabulated to indicate typical patterns which could graphically illustrate typical patterns of building size, intensity of development, and urban grain in selected areas using techniques such as GIS. - results are then tabulated to indicate typical patterns which could graphically illustrate typical patterns of building size, intensity of development, and urban grain in selected areas using techniques such as GIS. 4. Synthesis and Assignment of character significance: This entails determination of: - The importance of the study area to the character of the city as a whole - Any elements within the study area (precincts or groups of houses) of special character or amenity value - Relative significance of the identified elements The output will help to develop appropriate levels of development control. The output will help to develop appropriate levels of development control.

The criteria applied in Character Significance: The criteria applied in Character Significance: 1. Primary criteria (in descending order of importance): - Rarity of type, design or configuration - Visual prominence - Ability to demonstrate historical or otherwise valued development pattern 2. Secondary criteria: - Intactness of original building fabric - Visual unity or consistency - Aesthetic coherence - Expression of identityt or contribution to sense of place

Key Data Areas Spatial: district boundaries; topography; development type e.t.c Spatial: district boundaries; topography; development type e.t.c Morphological: street patterns; blocks; edges; nodes; building lines e.t.c Morphological: street patterns; blocks; edges; nodes; building lines e.t.c Contextual: setting; building groups; unity; diversity Contextual: setting; building groups; unity; diversity Visual: townscape qualities; materials & their distribution; colours; local styles; roofs e.t.c Visual: townscape qualities; materials & their distribution; colours; local styles; roofs e.t.c Perceptual: sense of place; image; legibility; scale e.t.c Perceptual: sense of place; image; legibility; scale e.t.c Social: community spirit and cohesion; assembly areas; e.t.c Social: community spirit and cohesion; assembly areas; e.t.c Functional: infrastructural linkages; use of house typologies; community integration; e.t.c Functional: infrastructural linkages; use of house typologies; community integration; e.t.c Sustainable: energy efficiency; ecological value; indigenous vegetation; features for preservation Sustainable: energy efficiency; ecological value; indigenous vegetation; features for preservation

Achieving Urban Form Character: Concepts & Practical Tools Urban character could be physical (products) or functional (processes) Sense of Place: - - shows most clearly in the way a community feels about and uses landscape. - A sense of place is basic to civilization: “All the great cities of the world have been places that were intensely and minutely loved.” - Describes places where townscapes are full of “incident and variety” but working as a community is palpable.

Authentic places: - - Good urban design addresses diverse social needs, as well as the natural environment. Eco character: - Built form responses that minimize impact and are in harmony with the natural setting. Eclectic character: - Built form that takes its character from the local setting with elements defined by that place.