Introduction to Urban Design & Development-MIT OpenCourseWare

I recently audited the course "Introduction to Urban Design and Development," from MIT’s OpenCourseWare, which provided a comprehensive exploration of the history and evolution of urban design in the United States. The course covered various forces that have shaped American cities and offered insights into different urban planning approaches.

The course addresses the fundamentals and basics of urban design, the impact of industrialization, and the formation of suburbs. It covers different urban planning models, the role of zoning and community activism, and the influence of technology and cultural districts on urban revitalization. The primary objectives are to provide a historical and theoretical foundation, analyze the factors influencing American cities, and encourage critical thinking about designing sustainable cities.

Part 1: What is Urban Design and Development?

This section introduces the core concepts of urban design and its impact on daily life. It explores different perspectives on analyzing cities and understanding the visible signs of urban change.

Part 2: The American City

Using Boston as a case study, this section examines the historical forces shaping American cities, from agrarian settlements to industrial centers. It discusses zoning and urban design guidelines and their role in controlling development.

Part 3: Changing Cities by Designing New Ones

This section explores utopian city concepts from thinkers like Ebenezer Howard and Le Corbusier. It covers the motivations behind new town movements and provides examples from the United States and abroad.

Part 4: Changing Cities by Extending Them

This section focuses on the development of suburbs, their historical origins, growth patterns, and design differences. It also examines Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) as a strategy for creating more efficient suburban living.

Part 5: Changing Cities by Redesigning Their Centers

This section addresses urban renewal efforts, their intentions, criticisms, and consequences. It explores the balance between renewal and preservation and the role of cultural districts in urban revitalization.

Part 6: New Ways of Seeing, New Ways of Planning

The final section highlights emerging trends in urban planning, including integrating open spaces and environmental concerns, the impact of transportation on urban form, and the roles of community activism and technology in shaping urban environments.

Urbanism vs. Suburbanism

A significant topic covered was the contrast between urbanism and suburbanism. Urbanism is associated with large, dense populations and diverse social interactions. In contrast, suburbanism, often criticized for homogeneity and environmental impact, consists of less-density areas and a more relaxed and quiet setting party developed through transportation advances (particularly the personal automobile). Critics of suburban life highlight issues such as land waste, increased commute times, and environmental irresponsibility.

Transportation and Suburbs

The course detailed how transportation advancements, such as ferries, omnibuses, and automobiles, facilitated suburban development. The automobile, in particular, led to new suburban designs focused on car usage, resulting in lower density and extended commutes—evident in cities such as Dallas, TX. This phenomena is called Transit-Oriented-Development, or TOD.

New Urbanism and Smart Growth

These modern responses to suburban sprawl aim to create sustainable and livable communities through mixed-use development and improved public transportation.

The course provided valuable insights into the complexities of urban design and development. Understanding the historical and contemporary factors that shape our cities is essential for creating better urban environments.