Design of

Urban Space
An Inquiry into
a Socio-spatial
Process

Ali Madanipour
University of Newcastle,
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

JOHN WILEY & SONS

Chichester New York Brisbane Toronto Singapore

Contents
Introduction

IX

PART ONE

PERSPECTIVES INTO URBAN SPACE

Chapter 1

Understanding Urban Space

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Dilemmas of space
Absolute and relational space
Space and mass
Physical and social space
Mental and real space
Abstract and differential space
Space and time
Space and place
Space and specialization
Conclusion

4
4
7
10
12
16
20
23
26
28

Structural Frameworks of Urban Space

31

Socio-spatial geometries of urban space

Natural space
Created space
Urban form and historical processes
The city as a work of art
The city as an embodiment of functions
Ecology of urban structure
The internal structure of the city
Urban morphology
Political economy of urban structure
Conclusion

31
35
38
39
43
45
48
49
53
56
60

People in the City

63

Environmental cognition
A behavioural approach to space
Mapping urban images

63
65
66

vi

Contents

Meaning and urban semiotics

Perspective of everyday life
Order and difference in urban space
City of strangers
Fear and crime in urban space
Women in urban space
Conclusion
PART TWO

THE MAKING OF URBAN SPACE

Chapter 4

Urban Design Process

Chapter 5

69
73
75
78
80
83
87

91

What is urban design?

Ambiguities of urban design
Macro- or micro-scale urban design?
Urban design as visual or spatial management?
Urban design as nice images
Urban design as the aesthetics of the urban environment
Urban design as social or spatial management?
Process or product?
Professional divide
A public or private sector activity?
Objective-rational or subjective-irrational?
Urban design as a technical process
Urban design as a social process
Urban design as a creative process
Conclusion

91
92
94
97
97
99
102
104
107
109
110
113
113
115
117

Production of the Built Environment

119

Urban design and the development process

Models of the development process
Supply-demand models
Equilibrium models
Event-sequence models
Agency models
Political economy models
Capital-labour models
Structure-agency models
Use value and exchange value
Structures and agencies
Urban development process and urban form
A model of the development process
Impact of change in the development process on urban space
Commodification of space and standardization of design
Globalization of the development industry
Privatization of public space
What is public space?

119
122
123
123
124
126
127
127
128
130
132
135
136
137
137
141
144
146

Contents

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

vii

Public sphere theories

Public space in a shopping mall?
Conclusion

148
150
153

Regulating Urban Form

155

The state, the market and space production

Planning and design
Design control
Design control or aesthetic control?
Does aesthetics matter?
Aesthetic judgement: subjective or objective?
Who sets the aesthetic standards?
Good urban form
Planning documents and design
Government advice
Development plans
Design guides
Design briefs
Other experiences of design control
Conclusion

155
158
160
161
163
165
167
169
171

Images of Perfection

183

Utopia
Urban context
Urbanism of the metropolitan paradigm
Modernist urban design
Post-modern urbanism
Anti-urban paradigm
Suburbanism
Planned anti-urbanism
Socialist anti-urbanism
Broadacre City
Micro-urbanism of the small town paradigm
Garden cities
Neighbourhood unit
Radburn
Planned decentralization of London
British new towns
New Urbanism
Conclusion

185
186
188
188
192
196
197
200
200
201
201
202
204
205
206
206
209
213

Design of Urban Space

215

172
172
174
175
177
181

Bibliography

223

Index

237