Unit 2: Histroy of Urban Design And Planning

Question 1

What factors influenced urban design and planning in valley towns? (7)

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Answer 1

1. Climate
2. Water availability/management
3. Religion
4. Politics
5. Labor division
6. Flood plain building
7. Military strategies

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Question 2

What are some characteristics of Egyptian towns (5000 B.C - 3000 B.C)? (5)

Answer 2

1. Built by Pharaohs
2. Focused on temples/royal tombs
3. Used sun-dried bricks
4. Courtyard spaces
5. Walled for flood protection

Question 3

What characterized Mesopotamian towns? (4)

Answer 3

1. Fortifications for protection
2. Palace-temple dominance
3. Well-designed roads
4. Courtyard-oriented houses

Question 4

Describe Indus Valley towns (2500 - 1700 B.C). (7)

Answer 4

1. Permanent burnt brick construction
2. Fortifications
3. Trade centers
4. Regular street patterns
5. Courtyard houses
6. Geometrically designed
7. Distinct quarters

Question 5

What lessons can be drawn from Valley Town urban design? (5)

Answer 5

1. Need for a focal point in a city.
2. Introduction of public activities and commercial centers.
3. Importance of scale.
4. Segregation of residential quarters (zoning).
5. Creating street definition by building on edges of streets.

Question 6

What factors influenced Greek urban planning and design? (4)

Answer 6

1. Geographic, climatic, social, and political conditions
2. Mountainous landscape
3. Wars and development of democratic patterns
4. Maritime trade expansion

Question 7

Name main elements of Greek urban design. (6)

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Answer 7

1. Gymnasium & stadium
2. Fortifications
3. Agora (marketplace)
4. Temples
5. Council house
6. Theatre

Question 8

What are major characteristics of Greek cities? (5)

Answer 8

1. Open spaces for gatherings
2. Integration of functions
3. Symmetrical building arrangements
4. Cultural/spiritual building expression
5. Climate-appropriate designs

Question 9

What lessons can be drawn from Greek urban design? (5)

Answer 9

1. Open spaces for gatherings
2. Functional integration
3. Symmetrical balance
4. Cultural expression
5. Climate-responsive design.

Question 10

What factors influenced Roman urban design and planning? (3)

Answer 10

1. Rise of the Roman Empire
2. Militant nature of administration
3. Attention to state buildings over residential units.

Question 11

What are some main elements of Roman urban design? (5)

Answer 11

1. Street system
2. Fortifications
3. Housing
4. Forum (market & social place)
5. Baths, sewer lines & water supply

Question 12

Describe the major characteristics of Roman cities. (5)

Answer 12

1. Forum (market and social place)
2. Grid Iron Plan
3. Fortifications
4. Major Streets
5. Standardized Plans

Question 13

What lessons can be drawn from Roman urban design? (4)

Answer 13

1. Order/unity through street patterns
2. Functional zoning
3. Major street design
4. Central commercial/social place (forum).

Question 14

What factors influenced Medieval urban design? (5)

Answer 14

1. Protection against attacks
2. Topography
3. Trade patterns
4. Population growth
5. Church influence

Question 15

What are some main elements of Medieval urban design? (5)

Answer 15

1. Fountains
2. Stylobates/staircases
3. Arcades
4. Squares
5. Houses & gardens.

Question 16

What are the major characteristics of Medieval cities? (6)

Answer 16

1. Fortifications/moats
2. Organic narrow streets
3. Asymmetrical building layouts
4. Nuclear elements (cathedral, castle)
5. Unifying arcades
6. Topography-fitting designs.

Question 17

What lessons can be drawn from Medieval urban design? (5)

Answer 17

1. Picturesque housing arrangements
2. Disposition of nuclear elements
3. Unifying elements like arcades
4. Treatment of urban spaces
5. Creation of public spaces.