Basics of Urbanism

• A manual for a new territorial approach to urban design in the 21st century, based on twelve key concepts
• A concise survey and clear presentation of a range planning tools make the book equally suitable for students and practitioners
• Introduces concrete examples of visionary spatial developments with a strong focus on practice
• Text in English and German

Urban design today is facing a multitude of challenges. Using 12 key terms, this book connects these challenges to projects in this field. It introduces concepts. presents possible solutions, and describes implementation processes. A special focus is put on the interaction of the built environment with living systems ― an approach that is slowly gaining acceptance within the urban design community and that is setting aside a primarily building-oriented practice in favour of an increased appreciation of public space.

Basics of Urbanism defines and illustrates parameters with a clearly territorial approach to urban design. Space between buildings is treated as an essential structure for environmental and social change within small-scale neighbourhoods and blocks, as well as at the level districts and even entire cities. This approach includes forward-thinking temporal aspects as well as the implementation of existing resources in the creation of new spatial qualities.