principles of urban design 4 (pud
41-1)
handout 07 – 24.5.12
semester
1:
what?
- perception of the city and analysis of city form
how?
- develop urban vocabulary
walk, watch, read, write, question, converse,
capture, quest + draw
why?
- construct basis for design works within an urban
context in an age of rapid change
write
an essay about the challenges for urban design in south africa (individual work)
challenges for urban design in
south africa
the
purpose of the essay is to establish and demonstrate your knowledge of the
south african city and its urban challenges.
it should be a vehicle in which you exhibit your ability to think
critically about the role of urban design within the south african
context.
focus
on the research topic, challenges for urban
design in south africa, starting from the expertise you developed in your
work concerning johannesburg’s urbanity.
you should expound on the many themes explored in class, including your
dictionary contributions, interview and readings that have been made available. it is essential for the paper to demonstrate
both indepth knowledge and a critical yet creative analysis of the chosen topic. graphic representation is a must + is important. the paper must include visual representations
[graphs, maps, plans, photographs, archival material etc.] of the issues under
consideration. the paper must read as a visual essay and should not be
replication of existing positions but rather a well researched piece yet
written from a personal angle, as in: what is your opinion on urban design and
how can this be it relevant for a variety of other stakeholders?
length: approximately 2000
words plus illustrations where relevant.
the precise length is not critical but should not differ by more than
10% from the mentioned amount. however,
this amount does not include references.
dates:
thursday 31may
hand in: topic proposal,
abstract 500 words, essay structure via
email
1-4 june
written feedback on blog
monday 16 july
final hand in: printed
version and digital version (on 1 cd as a class)
to consider:
1. is there a clear proposition or big idea to the essay?
2. how well is the thesis supported by argument, which is substantiated
with evidence?
3. quality of evidence—how well have you researched the evidence that
backs up your arguments?
4. how concise and precise is your essay? how clear is your writing? how
well organized is your essay (paragraphs, use of topic sentences, grammar)?
5. format—correct footnoting, referencing, proofreading, grammar?
structure:
research essays have four basic components:
1) abstract (a concise summary of no more than 10 sentences of your
entire essay)
2) introduction—this is where you state your subject and big idea (essay
statement), your arguments and points you hope to substantiate with evidence
3) main body—a discussion of the evidence and analysis which build the
argument of your paper
4) conclusion—a short summary of what you have
discovered and argued, and further questions you wish to ask
to improve the quality of your essay, it
is strongly recommended that you do the following:
1. interview, in regard to your topic, 1 or
more urban professionals
2. go to the writing center and have them
assist in structuring your paper
evaluation of work:
subject matter | topic | angle : 10%
structure: 10%
sources | material | references: 10%
argument: 40%
graphics | illustrations: 20%
language | spelling | format: 10%
