City Planning

Introduction

The purpose of this activity is to increase students' awareness of the design of the places. They will gain insight into their reactions to their environment and the emotional and physical (design) criteria they use to evaluate places.

Begin by showing students recognizable images and maps of the neighborhood.

Discuss zoning: commercial, industrial, and residential.

Talk about

• What buildings should go in which zones in a city
• Which things they would like to live next to
• Which things they wouldn’t want in their neighborhood.

An example: Would you really like to live next to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts?

What about the smell, noise, crowds, etc?

Exercise 1

Create your perfect neighborhood.

• Map out the streets.
• Create zones.
• Which buildings belong where
• What do the buildings look like?
• Design the buildings in SketchUp and print them out.
• Build a model of a model neighborhood.

Make it Better

Part I – Sketching Improvements

1. Students select a photo of their community that shows a view of a city streetscape or a view that they would like to improve the appearance of. Students may use their own photographs or photographs may be provided by the teacher.
   
   

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2. Import/scan the photograph into the computer.
   
   

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3. Students critique the first copy of the photograph, noting where improvements should be made.
   
   

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4. Open the scanned photograph a Photoshop.
   
   

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5. Add a new layer on top of the background.
   
   

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6. Trace the building onto the new layer. Omit any features in the photo that should be removed from the scene, such as, unattractive signs, architectural features on buildings, transmission lines, exterior building materials or building facades, etc.
   
   

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7. Next, students brainstorm a list of possible improvements to a building or streetscape to enhance its visual appeal and compatibility with community character. Possible improvements that students may consider, include:
   • Location size and shape of windows and doors on buildings.
   • Landscape design elements for buffering, screening, or aesthetic enhancement.
   • Size, location, height, materials, and design of street/building signage.
   • Pedestrian accessibility and safety.
   • Street furniture, benches, awnings.
   • Exterior building materials and colors consistent with community character and adjacent buildings.
   • Street lighting location and style.
   • location of utility wires.
   
   
   

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8. Create another layer to sketch in the features that should be added to the scene.
   
   

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9. There should now be two photos depicting the streetscape:
   1. The original critiqued photo.
   2. The new and improved streetscape.
   
   
   

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10. Write a paragraph explaining what changes have been made to the original picture and why. Respond to some or all of the following questions in your paragraph:
    • Why would changes to the landscape, streetscape, or a particular structure, benefit the community?
    • What do you like about the visual appearance of the neighborhood? What is unique about this part of the community?
    • Why would someone want to move to this part of town? Is it close to parks or other natural areas?
    • Does this area fit the surroundings or is there a way to enhance the structure(s) to better blend in with the character of the neighborhood?
    • Why did you select the improvements that you made to the overall streetscape?
    
    
    

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11. Select a 3D modeling program and model the improved structure.
    
    

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12. Print models.
    
    

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Public Spaces

Design a public space, model it and print it. Why why you designed the public space this way.