Economic Viability in Urban Design

The sociaeconomic impact on urban design

Every city has its own pattern when it comes to the character and the livability of the city. There has been much research about how these patterns affect the socioeconomic conditions across spatial scales. Moreover, the value of urban design asks some fundamental questions about the place of architecture in the modern society. A good urban design should contribute towards the social and economic value with respect to high quality buildings, how the spaces can give back and also the financial and utilitarian terms. In general, socioeconomic analysis is an essential element of any urban design proposal. These tools and techniques can provide essential data to maximize the chances of success for our design proposals.

The Economic Assessment Toolkit

In the lecture, Danny Oswell suggested that we should consider socioeconomics in urban design using economics and other social science analysis to provide important data to achieve the effectiveness and success of design solutions. Since the behavior that cities offer to people is key to design, it balances with practical analysis and artistic aspects. Therefore, he introduced six The Economic Assessment Toolkit for the study of data:

Figure 01: Economic Assessment Toolkit diagram

Demographics: Data related to population
In terms of population statistics, it can be considered to be divided by land, age, race, gender, etc., and the census classification standard can be adjusted according to local conditions.

Income and wealth: earning and saving
We should also consider the income and welfare of local people in the design to decide what kind of venue functions they can accept or what kind of consumption their income supports.

Figure 02: Papwa Sewgolum golf course is located right next to a slum (Durban, South Africa)

Culture and Heritage: Tradition and Context
Before designing, we can look ahead to the history of the site, local cultural traditions or cultural values, and local cultural heritage to consider the history we need to preserve and protect.

Sites and Locations: Footprints and Local Areas
We should learn to look at site characteristics from a development perspective and grasp the economic opportunities associated with the site.

Figure 03: Hoi An ancient town (Vietnam)

Resources
Resources are the Capital resources and Revenue resources to deliver project and the long-term interventions. Here, we have to figure out the relevant sources from which they would come.

Market potential
We should understand what kind of social and economic improvement the design can bring to the local area, what kind of contribution it can make to the local development, and how to better achieve sustainable development.

Conclusion

Overall, this aspect of work isn’t an add-on – it needs to be central to your design proposals. Urban design needs to work for people if it is to prove successful and sustainable. A sound, socioeconomic base for all UD proposals is essential if those objectives are to be met.

References:

Oswell, D. (2023), ‘Economic Viability in Urban Design’ [Lecture]. TCP8090: Principles of Urban Design. Newcastle University. 19 October 2023.

Bow, W. (2018), ‘Understanding the Difference Between Equity and Equality to Make Affordable Housing Work’. Medium, 13 November 2018. Available at: https://medium.com/impact-hub-austin-affordability-accelerator/understanding-the-difference-between-equity-and-equality-to-make-affordable-housing-work-84167162e6c8 (Accessed: 6 January 2024).

UNESCO, 20 May 2021, Hoi An Ancient Town. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/948/ (Accessed: 6 January 2024).