ABSTRACT
Urban design is a term that means different things to different people. There does not appear to be any universal definition. Is it primarily concerned with architecture or planning? It covers both areas and more. It is a multidisciplinary area of inquiry. The City of Baton Rouge, Louisiana (2009: 2) indicates ‘urban design is the discipline through which planning and architecture can create or renew a sense of local pride and identity’ and that it ‘is concerned with bringing different disciplines responsible for the components of cities into a unified vision’. Llewelyn-Davies and Alan Baxter & Associates (2000: 10) note that ‘urban design is derived from but transcends related matters such as planning and transportation policy, architectural design, development economics, landscape and engineering’. It encompasses the entire urban fabric, both in horizontal and vertical dimensions – buildings, streets, public spaces, community safety, landscaping, signage, lighting, fencing, services areas,
etc. It involves physical qualities as well as visual qualities.
