Urban MorphologyIntroduction

Prepared by:

Dr. Kayfi Akram Mawlan

A definition of Urban Morphology

Urban Morphology

The study of urban forms and of the agents and processes responsible for their transformation.

Urban Form

Refers to the main physical elements that structure and shape the city –urban tissues, streets (and squares), urban plots, buildings, to name the most important.

The word morphology was first proposed, in Germany, by:

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe -1796 ,German Thinker and Writer

who devoted part of his work to biology

Goethe used the word morphology to indicate

‘the science that deals with the essence of forms’

General Definition

‘The study of urban form’ Cowan (2005)

‘The science of form, or of various factors that govern and

influence form’ Lozano (1990)

‘The study of the physical (or built) fabric of urban form, and the

people and processes shaping it’

Urban Morphology Research Group (1990)

‘Morphology literally means form-lore, or knowledge of the

form…

what is the essence of that form;

does certain logic in spatial composition apply, certain

structuring principles?’ Mayer (2005)

Focus on the object of study (urban form)

‘…an approach to conceptualizing the complexity of physical

form. Understanding the physical complexities of various

scales,from

individual buildings, plots, street blocks, and the street patterns

that make up the structure of towns helps us to understand the

ways in which towns have grown and developed’

Larkham (2005)

‘Urban morphology…is not merely two dimensional in scope.

On the contrary, it is through the special importance which the

third dimension assumes in the urban scene that much of its

distinctiveness and variety arise’ Smailes (1955)

Focus on the manner and purpose of study

‘A method of analysis which is basic to find (ing) out principles or rules of urban

design’

‘…the study of the city as human habitat…

Urban morphologists…analyse a city’s evolution from its formative years to its

subsequent transformations, identifying and separating its various components’

Gebauer and Samuels (1981), Moudon (1997)

‘First, there are studies that are aimed at providing explanations or developing)

explanatory frameworks or both (i.e. cognitive contributions).

secondly, there are studies aimed at determining the modalities (forms) according

to which the city should be planned or built in the future (i.e. normative –standard-

contributions)’

Gauthier and Gilliland (2006)

CONCEPTS

1. `Morphology`-is as “the study of form and process, growth and form, form and function”.

2. urban morphology (U.M) -is the study of the form of human settlements and their formation transformation.

3. urban form-is the study of the physical characteristics of towns/cities resulting from an evolutionary process of urban activities and planning action.

geometrical structure formed by the spatial distribution ofrban elements expressed as coarse or fine.

CONCEPTS

Human settlements-is the totality of the human community whether city, town, or settlements village with all the social, material, organizational spiritual and cultural element that sustain it.

Urban fabric The physical aspect of urbanism, emphasizing building types, accesses, open space, frontages, and streetscapes but excluding environmental, functional, economic and sociocultural aspects.

Urban structure... its the physical complexity of various scale, from individual building, plots, street-blocks, and the street pattern.

urban texture the geometrical structure formed by the spatial distribution of urban elements expressed as coarse or fine.

OBJECTIVES

1. Comfort-reduction of stress such as noise, pollution.

2. Accessibility-movement, transport and communication

3. Adequacy-basic facilities and services

4. Diversity and choice- variation of facilities and activities.

5. Adaptability and stability-resilience

6. Aesthetics and imageability-pleasantness

7. Interaction and participation-citizen for a, social contact.

8. Growth and continuity-physical and functional without

disconnect from the related/complimentary functions/areas

URBAN MORPHOLOGY

resources for housing and fuel

natural resources such as

fresh water supply

Reliable food sources

Suitable land for agriculture

Trade areas

Transport corridors

The shape and structure

Mode of existence

Design of the settlement

Basic nature

Shaping of the

settlement.

Ordering(hierarchy)

Arrangement.

The conception-abstract

idea/mental symbol

Rapid urbanization,

Population Growth

Non-organized

Settlements

Primitive organized

settlements

Static urban settlements

Dynamic urban settlements

Universal city

FORMATION OF SETTLEMENTS FORM OF SETTLEMENTS

TRANSFORMATION OF

SETTLEMENTS

FUNCTIONS OF SETTLEMENT

. Urban Morphology of Settlements

. URBAN MORPHOLOGY SETTLEMENT PATTERNS

1.Dispersed

2.Linear

3.Nucleated

4.Planned

LAYOUT/STRUCTURE

Regular.

Irregular

Grid

TYPES

Hamleted villages (small settlement, generally one smaller than a village)

Irregular Urban agglomeration

Grid Urban outgrowths

LAYOUT/STRUCTURE OF HUMAN SETTLEMENT

VARIABLES

MACRO- SCALE

cultural production and

form of the city,

political control and town

form.

incremental nature of

urban morphology and

regional change.

cultural context and

orientation of contemporary

urban planning.

.

Usually these are within

the town/city scale

NEIGHBOURHOOD

SCALE

Covers plot,

block,

urban form,

Central Business District,

lot,

neighborhood form and typo

morphology.

Generally these concepts

are a transition between

macro and micro scales.

MICRO SCALE

Related to function, form,

urban elements, urban solid

and void, aesthetic, pattern,

street, square, open land,

urban structure and volume.

This kind of concepts

more related to street,

square and open spaces.

Thank You

Any Questions?