Urban structure
Urban Design Guidelines for Victoria, published by The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning in 2017, defines urban structure as: ‘The overall topography and land division pattern of an urban area including street pattern, the shapes and sizes of blocks and lots. Urban structure also includes the location and types of activity centres, public transport corridors, public space, community facilities, and urban infrastructure. Whether at the scale of a city, town, neighbourhood, precinct or large development site, it is the interrelationship between all of the elements of urban structure, rather than their individual characteristics, that together make a place.’
Spatial development glossary, European Conference of Ministers responsible for Spatial/Regional Planning (CEMAT), Territory and landscape, No 2, published by Council of Europe Publishing in 2007, defines urban structure as: ‘…characterised by the main elements and functions existing inside the urban area, such as the morphology of the city (compact or dispersed, single nucleus or multiple nuclei), the distribution of urban areas according to age (medieval, post-war, etc.), to main functions (commercial, housing, industrial, recreation, etc.), to social distribution and organisation (poor and derelict areas, gentrified areas, middle-class areas, areas with a high proportion of immigrants, etc.), the main characteristics of transport and communication axes (road system, public transportation system).’
See also: Settlement structure.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
A briefing on fall protection systems for designers
A legal requirement and an ethical must.
CIOB Ireland launches manifesto for 2024 General Election
A vision for a sustainable, high-quality built environment that benefits all members of society.
Local leaders gain new powers to support local high streets
High Street Rental Auctions to be introduced from December.
Infrastructure sector posts second gain for October
With a boost for housebuilder and commercial developer contract awards.
Sustainable construction design teams survey
Shaping the Future of Sustainable Design: Your Voice Matters.
COP29; impacts of construction and updates
Amid criticism, open letters and calls for reform.
The properties of conservation rooflights
Things to consider when choosing the right product.
Adapting to meet changing needs.
London Build: A festival of construction
Co-located with the London Build Fire & Security Expo.
Tasked with locating groups of 10,000 homes with opportunity.
Delivering radical reform in the UK energy market
What are the benefits, barriers and underlying principles.
Information Management Initiative IMI
Building sector-transforming capabilities in emerging technologies.
Recent study of UK households reveals chilling home truths
Poor insulation, EPC knowledge and lack of understanding as to what retrofit might offer.
Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment
Overview, regulations, detail calculations and much more.
Why the construction sector must embrace workplace mental health support
Let’s talk; more importantly now, than ever.
Ensuring the trustworthiness of AI systems
A key growth area, including impacts for construction.