What I Learned from Architecture in the City: Sustainable Urban Design that Inspires

During the summer of 2023, I had the opportunity to take an eight-week online course titled "Architecture and the City" with the renowned Urban Planning Professor, Dr. Stefan Al. This course was a deep dive into sustainable urban design principles, offering both theoretical knowledge and practical applications. My final project involved a comprehensive report and a SketchUp model to redesign the area surrounding Dallas’ iconic Reunion Tower, which received a Top 10% assessment by Dr. Al. Here are some of the key lessons I learned from this enriching experience.

Read the full research report here

1. Design Principles and Theories for Urban Planning

One of the foundational aspects of the course was understanding the core design principles and theories that guide urban planning. We explored Kevin Lynch's concept of urban experiences in "The Image of a City," which emphasizes that the experience of a city is always contextual, influenced by its surroundings and the sequence of events leading up to it. This principle guided my approach to redesigning the area around Reunion Tower. I aimed to create a space that enhances the visitor's experience, making it memorable and meaningful by integrating green spaces and functional amenities.

2. Important Considerations in Urban Design

Urban design goes beyond aesthetics; it’s about creating spaces that serve the needs of the community. Susan Herrington’s "Landscape Theory in Design" highlighted the importance of functionalism in landscape architecture. Inspired by this, my project focused on addressing some of Dallas' pressing issues, such as high obesity rates and mental health challenges. By incorporating various forms of exercise areas like volleyball, pickleball, and basketball courts, as well as walking paths and a water feature, the redesigned park aims to promote physical activity and mental well-being as it provides a sense of nature within the hustle-bustle of downtown Dallas.

3. Designing with Sustainability and Wellness in Mind

Sustainability was a key theme throughout the course. I learned that urban planning must consider environmental impact and promote sustainable practices. My project incorporated numerous trees and green spaces, which not only provide aesthetic value but also help absorb CO2 and produce oxygen, contributing to the city’s sustainability efforts. Additionally, creating a pond within the park serves as a habitat for an underwater ecosystem, further enhancing the environmental benefits.

4. Contributing Factors to the Spatial Experience

The course also delved into the factors that contribute to the spatial experience of urban areas. William Whyte’s "The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces" discusses how public spaces can foster social interactions and community bonds. In my design, I included features like food truck areas and seating spaces to encourage social gatherings and create a vibrant community atmosphere. The park’s design also incorporated elements like changes in levels (in terms of altitude, by adding hills) and semi-porous boundaries (like trees, paths, etc.) to provide a sense of enclosure and varied spatial experiences, as suggested by Gordon Cullen in "The Concise Townscape."

Final Project: Reunion Park Reinvention

My final project, titled "Reunion Park: Reinventing the Reunion Tower Experience," aimed to transform the underutilized space around Reunion Tower into a thriving urban park. The redesign included:

- Health and Wellness: Spaces for various physical activities to combat obesity and promote mental health.

- Sustainability: Planting numerous trees and creating a pond to improve the environmental quality.

- Tourism: Enhancing the tourist experience with new attractions and comfortable spaces to enjoy the iconic tower.

This project not only aimed to address practical issues but also sought to create a space where residents and tourists alike could enjoy a better quality of life.

Thanks to Dr. Al for teaching such an informative course and for helping further my interest in urban planning, sustainable design, and our path to the future.