Interview with an Interior and Urban planning designer
Amna AL Naimi is an interior Designer and Architect with special interest in urban design and planning as well as a background in Marketing.
Can you tell me more about urban planning? how’s the planning done?
Urban planning is not exclusively done block by block. It depends on the city planners and the decision makers. City planners job is to create zones/clusters in cities (residential zone, industrial zone) using urban structures.
Urban structures include the grid model (blocks), concentric zone model (areas are spatially arrange in a series of rings), sector model (in sectors like Chicago), Multiple Nuclei method and so on.
Rural areas are usually developed on the basis of natural vegetation. On the other hand, urban areas are developed through the process of urbanization. Sometimes rural areas are not seen as important and is left out. Architectural and forestry decision makers usually participate in the planning of these lands.
Is advertising part of the city structure when it’s planned? Does it affect building around the city? Block certain areas? Is there any relation between the two? Marketing advertising and city planning or architecture?
Advertising is addressed during the planning process because it affects the physical appearance of the city. Urban planners work with the city council and other consulting firms to outline regulations for commercial signage in the city. They work together to plan the location, typology, dimension and position of the ad signage and to make sure the commercial signs are aesthetically attractive. Also, it is very important that billboards do not distract drivers.
Some cities even set out regulations to control advertisements on shopfronts. For example, businesses in Abu Dhabi are not allowed to cover up shopfronts with commercial ads. Also signage cannot be used to advertise a third-party product and they have to be within a certain height.
In Boston, signage and storefronts must complement the surrounding neighborhood. They do allow them to express their individuality as long as they meet the requirements of the guidelines. This has been done to ensure the character of a district does not get affected by commercial signage and storefronts.
Some cities even involve citizens and businesses in this process. They involve citizens to address their traffic safety concerns and their community image goals. As for businesses, it helps businesses to determine how they can increase their visibility to potential customers through commercial signage.
What’s the most important element or elements in an urban city environment? And the infrastructure? In relation to architecture and city planning.
Urban pattern is an important element. Every district in a city has a different urban pattern. Its pattern gives the city a distinctive character. Some follow the grid pattern, which is believed to be a simple structure but allows flexibility for pedestrians allowing them to easily navigate the streets.
Another important element is the building form. A group of buildings (their heights and style) has an impact on the character of the city too. It is important that buildings respond to their surroundings.
Pedestrian Areas: If these areas are well-connected, they provide mobility for pedestrians. They connect to open spaces, public transportation, shopping malls and parks.
Streetscape: Streetscape stands for the appearance of the elements that make up a street including roads, sidewalks, trees, open spaces even signage and lighting. The streetscape makes the experience of the pedestrian memorable and enjoyable.
Roofscape: Views of the rooftops is important element when designing a city. Other important elements open/public spaces, night lighting and greenery.
What is the relation between urban planning and people?
It is very important to city planners and urban designers to study the needs of people when designing a city. It is all about creating harmony between the built forms and the people. Urban designers work to embrace people-centered solutions for a city. Making sure it meets the changing needs of the citizens and making sure it accommodates the diversity of people in the city.
When planning a city, some urban designers sketch out the elements of the cities as paths, edges, nodes, landmarks and districts. Paths are the predominant element. These paths could be streets or pathways or even canals. Pedestrians observe these elements while walking in the city. Basically, urban designers plan a city based on the human experience of the city. How they will perceive the city through these elements.
Urban designers work together to ensure the spaces are addresses crime prevention, promotes safety. Also that it is aesthetically pleasing and accessible for everyone (including families with children, disabled individuals and elderly users).
Any additional information that is valid and you would like to share.
Urban designers in the 21st century are challenged to design cities for people not cars. In some cities around, the streets are traffic-congested raising frustration levels. This issue raised the emergence of a new urbanism. Urban designers are promoting the idea of pedestalizing cities. For example, Bogota in Colombia. The mayor transformed the city and introduced bus-based rapid transit system, bicycle paths, pathways and parks to improve the life quality of its citizens. In Moscow, works of art in the subway stations have been added to promote the use of public transportation.
Thank you very much for your time.
You're most welcome and good luck with your project.