Introduction: The Design of Public Spaces varies, from informal street corners to spectacular municipal icons. On a broader scale, well designed public areas have traditionally acted as focal points for diverse communities as well as hubs for communal life, events and activities. They can operate as locations to rest, mingle or indulge in leisure on Read the full article…

Reviving Public Spaces: The Impact of Digital Placemaking Since the global digital boom, social interaction has becoming rapidly digitalised, generating a contemporary society that’s increasingly detached from the traditional uses of urban public spaces. Figures show that over 90% of households now have access to the internet, and at least 87% use smartphones. With conversations Read the full article…

Urban Design and Wellbeing How Urban Design Can Impact Mental Health There has been a lot of research on how urban design might benefit physical health. This includes lowering obesity and lung illness. Despite the abundance of research and guidelines for healthy cities, mental health is frequently disregarded. This is sad since mental health issues Read the full article…

Introduction The design code has a long history of playing varied ‘roles’ in different cities based on their policies, developments, contexts, and cultures, and has been adapted to the development and regeneration of cities, although controversially. However, it is worth mentioning that the design code is a unique urban governance tool, which refining and updating, may eventually Read the full article…

It is significant to understand why Design Codes have been required before arguing about them. The emergence of Design Codes is not accidental, but to a large extent almost inevitable, as it essentially ensures a well-designed minimum requirement that residents are supposed to appreciate. Why is Design code important? In fact, an unclear planning system Read the full article…

Firstly, the first impression I had of the Principles and Practice of Urban Design class was that it was guiding us to think about responding to questions about what urban design is. As a matter of fact, the first class, it did guide us on how to observe the city, extract the important elements of Read the full article…

Definition The European Commission defines a smart city as “A place where traditional networks and services are made more efficient with the use of digital solutions for the benefit of its inhabitants and business” (EU, 2006, p.n/s). Figure 1,Smart City (N/S 2021) Introduction This Blog will pose a seemingly innocent question: who actually benefits from Read the full article…

Blog entry published by Georgina Walker on 07 December 2023 [FIG. 1] Ventus Naturalised Gardens, Singapore (Joson, 2022) Theorists and urban designers, such as Ebenezer Howard, have long understood and promoted the benefits of the integration of nature into the urban setting to move towards a healthy urban environment. The benefits extend beyond the visual Read the full article…

Through my undergraduate study in landscape design, I’ve come to deeply understand the impact of design on the environment and communities. This impact goes beyond aesthetics, shaping people’s lifestyles and optimizing community functions. It was this realization that prompted my shift from landscape to urban design. In my view, urban design isn’t just about the Read the full article…

In modern society, the concept of healthy neighborhood has received increasing attention. It refers not only to the cleanliness and beauty of the physical environment, but more importantly to the interaction, support and overall well-being of community members. A healthy neighborhood can provide residents with a safe and comfortable living environment while promoting mutual help Read the full article…

Healthy neighborhoods promote healthy lifestyles and improve health and well-being. In fact, by promoting mixed land use, street connectivity, and access to amenities and services. Research shows how poorly designed communities can negatively impact people’s health and well-being. Citing examples from local health initiatives in the UK. Housing communities known as “Healthy communities” are designed Read the full article…

Individual peace in the world is not just a personal matter but concerns the entire society. It is alarming to see that a large percentage of the working population is affected by stress-related diseases. Addressing the root causes of these problems is crucial not only for individuals but also for the overall productivity and well-being Read the full article…