The Routledge Handbook of Urban Design Practice

The Routledge Handbook of Urban Design Practice brings together diverse voices in urban design, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative approaches to address shared challenges, offering actionable steps to empower practitioners, students, and academics in creating vibrant and sustainable cities.

The three-part structure of the Handbook guides the reader from foundations in urban design practice to an exploration of the great challenges confronting cities and people today closing with a consideration of the future of urban design. Part One: Urban Design Today offers a snapshot of historical influences, indirect design strategies, global perspectives, direct design strategies, and technological advances. Part Two: Urban Design Challenges includes perspectives on climate change and ecological design, public health, community change, social justice in urban design, economic resilience, and place quality. Part Three: Urban Design Tomorrow provokes deep thought on the state of the world and where urban design finds a place in making a better future. Each section of the book includes several chapters, which are preceded by introductions that situate and contextualize the writing to help the reader better comprehend the field. Each chapter defines a topic area, presents critical evaluation, and provides steps in practice that guide the reader toward a future that is more just, sustainable, and responsive. Following each chapter is a set of key summary messages that encapsulate central themes and suggestions for further reading that expand topical knowledge for the interested reader. The Handbook is comprised of over 100 new contributions on topics across urban design practice by a diverse array of authors from around the world. These voices represent the interdisciplinary nature of urban design: architects, planners, landscape architects, civil and transportation engineers, policymakers, and real estate developers. A glossary of built environment terms enriches urban design vocabulary, while cross-coding facilitates easy navigation to related materials for enhanced understanding. The Handbook serves as a go-to guide for urban designers seeking to expand their knowledge on special topics within and adjacent to their work, offering valuable insight into the methods and practices that are advancing urban design.

The primary audience consists of practitioners, students, and academics interested in the practice of urban design. In addition to built environment professionals, the book will also be of interest to those taking part in the urban conversation: city leaders, public officials, civic and non-government organizations (NGOs), and engaged urbanists. The Handbook addresses how technological advancements and the big challenges are reshaping urban spaces, making it an essential resource for those involved in the transformation and future of our cities.

"This valuable collection of essays brings together multiple perspectives on urban design that serve to remind us of the complexity, significance and ever expanding scope of the subject. It underscores the critical role of urban designers whose work will be greatly enriched by this deep and fundamental body of knowledge."

Professor Matthew Carmona, The Bartlett, UCL

"From bold provocations like “there is no such thing as an urban designer,” to calls for the embrace of narrative approaches, this book brings together urgent insights. Succinct chapters rich with technical and theoretical knowledge, rooted in the real-world, span multiple disciplines and geographical contexts. This powerful compilation promises to enhance both practice and places."

Jay Pitter, Placemaker, Author, and Adjunct Professor

"The Routledge Handbook of Urban Design Practice is an essential read for practitioners, city builders, urbanists, and anyone invested in shaping the future of livable, sustainable cities that foster human flourishing in the 21st century. Spanning everything from the technical intricacies of Form-Based Codes to visionary reflections on the future of public space, this handbook stands as the most comprehensive guide to urban design in a generation. There is truly nothing else like it—and with any luck, it will serve as a guiding force in city-building for years to come."

Jennifer Keesmaat, Founder, President and CEO, Collecdev Markee; Former Chief City Planner, City of Toronto

Michael Angelo Larice, Ph.D., is an urban designer and educator teaching urban design, planning, urban studies, and pedagogy at the University of California, Berkeley. His studios involve design work for municipal governments and institutions. His academic work focuses on urban design practice, streetscape design, livability, social sustainability, and slum upgrading with recent projects on urban arterials and streetcar lines in America. With Professor Elizabeth Macdonald, he co-edited two editions of Routledge’s Urban Design Reader.

Molly O’Neill Robinson is an urban designer and planner, founder of MOR Design & Planning, and a career-line instructor at the University of Utah's College of Architecture and Planning. With nine years leading Salt Lake City's urban design efforts, she spearheaded the Downtown Plan, reframing public engagement to include previously marginalized communities and establishing urban policy that supports downtown as a vibrant, livable neighborhood. Previously, she worked with award-winning teams at OLIN and Sasaki.

Allen Penniman weaves urban planning, design, and real estate development into the equitable revitalization of distressed urban communities. He practices as a senior urban planner at Agency Landscape + Planning and teaches at the University of Pennsylvania. Allen’s work has involved reactivating commercial corridors, realizing housing development, sustaining post-industrial creative districts, and reinventing streets to support joyful public life.

Amanda Haycox has worked as both a statutory and strategic planner for state and local government as well as a planning consultant in the private sector. She began her career planning for public housing in the state government and later as a planner in the (then) state Department of Infrastructure. She worked as a planner in Eswatini, Southern Africa and as a planner in the Birmingham City Council in England. Amanda is currently the Coordinator of City Strategy and Place Planning Glen Eira City Council in Melbourne, Australia.

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