Public Spaces - Cities, Towns & Landscapes
By Jackie Craven, About.com Guide to Architecture
Architects design more than buildings. They also design outdoor spaces: plazas, parks, pedestrian malls, roadways, transportation centers, and entire communities. Follow these links for information about landscape architecture, city and town planning, urban design, and outdoor art.
Urban Design
How should we design our cities, towns, and neighborhoods? Is it best to separate stores and other businesses from residential areas? How can we minimize the need for highways and avoid unattractive and inefficient "sprawl"? Architects who specialize in urban and community design focus on these and other issues.
Planned Communities
Urban and community planners have tried a variety approaches to design neighborhoods and towns that are attractive, pleasant, and safe. Some planned communities are gated neighborhoods with residents who share common interests or lifestyles. Other planned communities are diverse, pedestrian-friendly villages founded on "New Urbanist" principles. Listed here is a sampling of the many approaches to community design.
Infrastructure
Urban planners must work closely with civil engineers to plan for the safe and efficient delivery of essential services. Roads and bridges, transportation systems, telephone communications, radio and TV transmission, electricity, and water are necessary for the survival of any community.
Designing Safe Spaces
For communities and public spaces that are both safe and appealing, architects are turning to principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).
Landscape Architecture
Landscape architects design open places such as parks, recreation areas, pedestrian malls, school campuses, and public gardens. Here are facts and photos for famous landscapes with information about their designers.
Outdoor Art
Although not functional like a building or a bridge, outdoor art and art installations are carefully planned before they are constructed. Outdoor sculptures, monuments, fountains, murals, and installations become an important part of the overall landscape design. Here are examples.
