CP 700 - Urban Design and Land Use Planning Studio
Spring 2016
January 26, 2016
Professor: Dr. Bruce Appleyard
Office: PSFA 117; Phone: (503.810.7249) - email: bappleyard@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours: Wed. 2:30 to 4:00 (or by appointment)
Overview
The purpose of this class is to introduce students to the theories, processes, analyses and criteria followed in the
preparation of physical plans, at various scales, from both technical and political points-of-view.
This semester we are going to continue to build your urban design skills developed in CP 695 through a set of more
real-world, consultant-like projects. This will also further refine your skills by giving you the opportunity to work with a
multi-disciplinary group of professionals. The first is going to be the ULI student competition. This year, the project area
will be the Buena Creek Sprinter station near Vista, in case any of you want to visit the site. The Second will be the
NAIOP Student Challenge. And the third will be your reworking your project from CP 695.
Learning in a studio class is primarily based on the interaction amongst the students, and between the teacher and the
students. Class time will be divided accordingly, with the first part dedicated to the discussion of the readings and class
presentations and the second to studio activities.
The class will follow two parallel tracks. The first track (Practice) will be dedicated to skill development in the craft of
urban design, moving from basis tools such as scales and reading slope maps to an overlay analysis of environmental
constraints and then developing design plans. For more detail, see accompanying course schedule:
https://docs.google.com/a/mail.sdsu.edu/document/d/1Gesn2BJJ8TiJgO9C-5vBVHadZNfPRgxV0tbg4xdb5M/edit?usp=sharing
The second track will consider the theories and culture of Smart Growth and New Urbanism within the disciplines of
regional planning, urban design and site planning. Students will research and present on techniques such as traffic
calming or theories such as the transect to enrich both tracks. Learning in both areas – or from both tracks - will then
be applied a studio project that, from the preparation of an existing conditions analysis will then lead to a synthesis
phase, the preparation of a land use plan and a site/urban design plan.
Course Requirements
Projects
1. Discussion of readings. It is extremely important that you come to class prepared to discuss the readings
assigned for that day. You should prepare notes of the most important points of the readings assigned for
that class. Contributions to class discussion based on other sources would be greatly appreciated. A good
source of information about current planning/ smart-growth issues is Planetizen. To subscribe go to:
http://www.planetizen.com/forms/enewsletter.php. Reading the San Diego Union-Tribune and The Voice of
San Diego for current local planning/governance related issues is also strongly recommended. I may call on
students not participating in class discussion with questions relating to the readings. If you are not prepared
for discussion, you should let me know before class. Class participation also includes contribution to the
activities of your group, help in other class related activities and completion of class exercises. Participation
in class discussion will be monitored and graded. On two occasions through the semester I will let you know
how you are doing. If you have serious problems participating come and see me (25%).
1. Student participation 5%
2. Student class presentations (10%)
3. Sketchbook and Reflective Journal (10%)
4. ULI student competition (30%)
5. NAIOP Participation (15%)
6. Team projects (30%)
1 of 5
The Studio Projects
There will be three different studio projects:
1. The first is going to be the ULI student competition. This year, the project area will be the Buena Creek
Sprinter station near Vista, in case any of you want to visit the site.
2. The Second will be the NAIOP Student Challenge (site TBD).
3. And the third will be your reworking your project from CP 695.
The sites for the studio projects will be taken from the potential smart growth locations identified by planning. Students
will prepare a Master Plan for the site and then a detailed site plan for a portion of the site designated for
housing/mixed use. With this class, then, we will move from the regional to site specific design on the basis of smart
growth and new urbanism approaches.
Class Presentations
Students will be required to present on the readings and/or other topics in class on a specific date.
Class Policies
It is extremely important that all projects be turned in on the day indicated on the syllabus. Two points will be taken off
your grade for each day your assignment is overdue.
Field Trips
This course requires students to participate in field trips, research or studies that include course work that will be
performed off-campus. Participation in such activities may result in accidents or personal injury. Students participating
in the class are aware of these risks, and agree to hold harmless San Diego State University, against all claims,
demands, suits, judgments, expenses and costs of any kind on account of their participation in the activities. Students
using their own vehicles to transport other students to such activities should have current automobile insurance.
Required Texts:



SANDAG (2009), Designing for Smart Growth: Creating Great Places in the San Diego Region.
o http://www.sandag.org/index.asp?projectid=344&fuseaction=projects.detail
Urban Design Reader. 2007. Edited by Matthew Carmona and Steve Tiesdell. Elsevier
o On course BB & GD sites
CP 695/CP 700 Course Reader
o On course BB &GD sites
Optional Texts:


Daniel Tal (2009), SketchUp for Site Design; Wiley Press
A collection of readings will be provided on the course Blackboard Site.
List of supplies (Fall)
 One Sketchbook (between 5x7 and 8x10), with plain (unlined, ungraphed) paper
 Pentel sign pen, black
 Pentel razor point pen, black
 A roll of white sketch trace
 An engineer’s scale
 Mechanical Pencil with eraser
 Pencils (sharpener and eraser)
(Spring)
 Chartpak AD Marker, black
 Small collection of colored pencils and/or markers
2 of 5
CP 700- Final Assignment
Urban Design Report
Due on May 10, 2016 at 6 PM
The purpose of the urban design presentation/electronic report is to assist city staff,
community members and other key stakeholders in identifying opportunities and
constraints related to your urban design plan.
Final Report and SketchUp simulations Due: Tuesday, 5/10 at 6 PM
Below please find the general guidelines to help you organize your final presentation and
electronic report.
Recommended Outline
I. Introduction – Include maps, graphics and an accompanying narrative of the
following items:
a. A discussion of your initial impressions of your study area, as represented
in your image maps.
b. Study Area Map(s) Showing Context At least one map showing the
location of your site in the community
c. Highlight any unique features adding to the sense of place (natural,
cultural, built environment, recreational, etc.)
II. Opportunities and Constraints – Include maps, tabular data, narrative on the
following:
a. A discussion of the opportunities and constraints you are dealing with.
i. Use the Livability Calculator as a resource.
b. Unique Features (natural, cultural, built, recreational, etc.)
c. Depending on your project, consider including some of the following
information:
i. Existing socio-economic data tabular and mapped formats.
ii. Maps of traffic flows.
iii. Discuss distribution of land uses within your site area. Any
imbalances – too much of one land use, not enough of another?
Unwanted land uses? Concentration of land uses in poor
condition?
iv. Document with photos.
III. A discussion of your program goals and objectives
a. Building on the above analyses, articulate the goals and objectives for
your site.
b. Highlighting some of the following:
i. Values and priorities;
3 of 5
ii. Needs/deficiencies;
iii. Elements of the overall approach to addressing issues (sustainable
approach, economic utilitarianism).
IV. Design Plan and Program – Using graphics, maps and narrative, clearly communicate
your design plan and program. You are also free to submit any digital media.
Include the following:
 Master Site Plan (this a technical representation of what you
propose)
 Illustrative Site Plans (this is for the purposes of “selling” your
project).
o In addition, create both of the following:
 At least one elevation/section
 At least one axonometric
 At least one perspective. This can be through
SketchUp, Photoshop/Illustrator, Hand-drawn


A basic real estate pro-forma evaluation of your proposed plan.
o You can be as creative as you want, but you need to ground
your proposal.
A SketchUp Simulation of your site plan.
o Use several vignettes for your presentation
o Prepare to show a fly-through during your presentation.
I will be looking for a clean, clear and simple presentation of your ideas, as well as a
meaningful narrative. I will also be looking for a professional quality format and
presentation. Relevant maps, images and photos of your community will enhance the
document presentation.
4 of 5
Sketchbook and Reflective Journal (10%)
Due: April 5 and
May 10
Throughout the semester you will practice sketching and reflective journaling. These important skills require you to
observe urban space, decide why and how it is interesting, and translate that to paper via sketches and thoughtful
written insight.
Your sketchbook must include a minimum of 10 sketches of urban space with a corresponding reflection for each
sketch (about one sketchbook page in length). For each sketch, you must record the date, time and location (written on
the sketch page). You must sketch first-hand observations (in other words, these are not imaginary pictures or
sketches of photographs).
Bring your sketchbooks to class on April 5th for an in-class mid-term review. I will look over your sketches up to this
point (you should have about five) and give any feedback that I deem necessary.
Sketchbooks are due in class at our final meeting on May 10th. You will be graded on the thoroughness and
completeness of the sketchbook, your progress in developing sketching skills throughout the semester, the diversity of
urban perspectives you capture, and the thoughtfulness of your reflections.
Student Presentations of the Readings (10%)
All students are expected to choose at least two articles from the Urban Design Reader,
give a brief, in-class presentation, and lead the discussion.




Format:
2-3 minutes overview of the article.
o What is the problem or question(s) this article addresses? You should be able to identify the central focus. If there
are additional secondary problems, identify these too. (1-4 sentences)
o Discuss the normative-prescriptive versus the substantive-descriptive (Moudon, 1992)—will give you article on
this.
o What is the source of the data for analysis? (That is, observations, questionnaire, intensive interview, documents,
existing statistical information, etc.) In some studies there are two or more sources of data. Give a brief overview
of how the data were acquired. (2-5 sentences)
o Briefly, what are key findings? (1-5 sentences)
o How can these lessons be applied to experiences in CP 695 and CP 700? (2-5 sentences)
2-3 minutes discussion:
o Pose 2 questions for the group to answer. (2-5 sentences)
Post on the course BB Site before class (you can edit afterwards)
NOTES: No Slides required.
o You can provide slides on the discussion site before class. Suggest use images from book and/or
the white board.
5 of 5