Urbanism 4 - Design

Course guarantor:

Jana Zdráhalová

Lecturer:

Lenka Burgerová, Jana Zdráhalová

Tutor:

Lenka Burgerová, Jana Zdráhalová

Supervisor:

Department of Urban Design

Synopsis:

The course introduces students to the concept of the city, beginning with its physical structure and the fundamental urban elements addressed within the framework of urban morphology. It explores spatial topology and the organisation of street networks, enabling students to develop an understanding of how built form and spatial arrangements shape the functioning and character of urban environments.

Subsequent parts of the course address the concept of public space, including its definition, typologies and its social, cultural and functional significance for urban life. Attention is also devoted to the structure of human settlements, patterns of density and the spatial logics that underpin different urban forms. The course further introduces selected themes from urban economics, urban resilience and processes of social and spatial segregation, illustrating how these dynamics influence contemporary urban development.

The accompanying practical component is based on fieldwork in selected areas of Prague. Through direct observation and on-site analysis, students examine and describe a variety of urban structures that emerged in different historical periods and under distinct planning principles, thereby linking theoretical knowledge with the material reality of the city.

Requirements:

Syllabus of lectures:

List of Lectures

1. Urban Morphology I

2. Urban Morphology II

3. Public Space I, Public Space II

4. Urban Structure, Urban Resilience

5. Urban Rhythms

6. Urban Economy

7. Urban Segregation

8. Housing in the City

9. Urban Density

Syllabus of tutorials:

Study Objective:

Study materials:

Lynch, Kevin: A Theory of Good City Form

Lynch, Kevin: Image of the City

Norberg - Schulz, Christian: Genius loci

Rossi, Aldo: The architecture of the City

Krier, Leon: Architecture: Choice or Fate

Alexander, Ch., Ishikawa, S., Silverstein, M.: A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction

Koolhaas, Rem: Delirious New York

Howard, Ebenezer: Garden Cities of To-morrow (1905)

Gehl, Jan: Life between buildings, Copenhagen (2001)

Base, Miroslav: Settlements and Buildings in Countryside (scriptum, CVUT 2006)

Sykora, Jaroslav: Countryside Planning-Villages and Landscape (scriptum,2002).

Note:

The minimum number of students to open the course is 5. EXCEPTION for self-paying students: if there are less than 5 students, the course will be taught in consultations.

Time-table for winter semester 2025/2026:

Time-table is not available yet

Time-table for summer semester 2025/2026:

	06:00–08:0008:00–10:0010:00–12:0012:00–14:0014:00–16:0016:00–18:0018:00–20:0020:00–22:0022:00–24:00
Mon
Tue	roomT9:112 Zdráhalová J. 15:00–16:30 (lecture parallel1) Dejvice
Wed
Thu	roomT9:112 17:45–18:15 ODD WEEK (lecture parallel1 parallel nr.101) Dejvice
Fri

The course is a part of the following study plans: