Urban Analysis Flashcards
What is urban analysis?
Descriptions and investigations of spatial, social or economic factors of an urban reality
What is urban planning?
The process of using scientific knowledge and expertise to make decisions that help guide future actions
What is the relationship between analysis and design in planing
Analysis informs design
What are 3 primary concerns of urban analysis
Built environment, natural qualities, human activites
What operates at the interface of knowledge and action
Planning
Why do we study urban analysis?
It’s a fundamental part of professional planning practice and reduces the risk of project or policy failure
Analysis in planning refers to…?
The examination of current situation of any given urbanisation phenomenon as well as possible gaps in existing policy
Synthesis in planning refers to…?
Combining our analysis of the current urbanisation phenomenon and gaps in existing policy with future action
What should be done when planning or developing policy?
- Acknowledge limits and possibilities for analysis
2. Make informed judgements about what should be done
What are the urban analysis techniques?
- Descriptive
- Explanatory
- Prescriptive
- Normative
What are the 3 knowledge sources?
- Synoptic/Comprehensive
- Pragmatic
- Communicative
What are the 4 steps in the research process?
- Preparation and planning
- Data collection
- Data analysis
- Communication
What is the difference between observation and experimentation?
Observation is acquiring information by observing a primary source whereas experimentation acquires the information under controlled conditions where variables may be manipulation.
Observation is more common in urban analysis
What are 3 forms of communication?
- Written
- Oral
- Visual
What is the advantage of abstraction in the data collection process?
It allows for researchers to reduce information down to indicative elements that are useful to describe complex realities
What are 3 types of data used in urban analysis?
- Spatial
- Qualitative
- Quantitative
What is the difference between exploratory and confirmatory data analysis?
Exploratory data analysis is the process of exploring data from unanticipated patterns. Confirmatory data analysis involves analysing data to prove a hypothesis
What is the relationship between urban analysis and urban planning?
Urban analysis is the preliminary stage of urban planning to determine the need for any future action
What is the difference between aesthetic observation and scientific observation?
Aesthetic observation is the visual perception of a city. It focuses on grouping elements together (eg. houses, streets)
Scientific observation is the analysis of individual aspects without general explanation
What is urban morphology?
Describes the spatial characteristics of city structures explaining the conditions and their causes
Why is analysing building style significant?
Often helps determine the age of buildings or urban structures. However, not every era has a distinctive style
How does the study of functional patterns differ from other forms of analysis?
Analysis of functional patterns assumes there is an association between behaviour and spatial structures. Therefore spatial structures can influence what social activities occur in by an urban space’s users
What is the smallest scale for a whole-city urban analysis
Building or plot or site
Why is working with other specialists important in urban analysis
Many different aspects require specialised knowledge and a single planner cannot have this expertise
What are different forms of data involved in urban analysis?
Paper (printed reports and plans), Digital (planning documents, text, images), Physical site visits, third party conversations
