Proseminar in Metropolitan Design
Arch/LA 5721, Fall, 2006
College of Design
Wednesday Mornings, 9:00AM-11:00AM/Room 15 Rapson
Instructors:
Ann Forsyth, forsyth@umn.edu
Peter Brown, brow1804@umn.edu
3 credits
Prerequisite Arch 5711 or permission of instructor
Download: 2006 Syllabus (127 KB)
Readings will be on reserve at the library in Rapson and available
for sale through the Printing Services Copy Center at Coffman.
Course Overview & Structure
This reading seminar explores the evolution of the contemporary city, tracing the dynamics that created contemporary urban spatial patterns, and the planning and design theories that have guided public interventions in the built environment. The course is structured around a series of topical weekly readings and classroom discussions. Most weeks will present a case study for analysis, in the context of accompanying theoretical readings.
Overall, this course provides a forum for advanced discussions in the area of urban and metropolitan design. The title metropolitan design indicates the courses focus on the metropolitan context of urban design, and on the contribution of many disciplines to its practice.
Schedule of Classes and Readings
Week 1: Introduction and Logistics
Week 2: What is Urban Design?
Week 3 : Grand Manner/Grand Blueprint
Week 4): Urban Design as Public Policy
Week 5: Creating Communities
Week 6 : Restorative Urbanism and Community Nostalgia
Week 7: Visionary Urbanism
Week 8: Land Planning and Ecological Issues
Week 9: Smart Growth and Sustainable Development
Week 10: Urban Design in the Suburbs
Week 11: Pluralist/Diverse City
Week 12: Capitalist Metropolis
Week 13: The Revitalization of Downtown
Week 14: Current Trends in Urban Design and Cities of the Future
Week 15: Film Week
Course Requirements
Class attendance and participation
Short assignments (6, 60 percent)
Your urban design theory (term paper) (30 percent)
Class presentation (10 percent)
