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This paper examines the value of postmodernism and postmodern scholarship for the theory and practice of urban planning and design. The research is based on a critical review of postmodernist writings and specific literature associated with what scholars have identified as "postmodern urbanism." The paper begins with a brief description of postmodernism as a way of thinking and decision making in the fields of urban planning and design. The principal ideological and epistemological underpinnings of the postmodernist critique of modern practices of planning and design are then summarized. Critical analyses of the writings of some prominent postmodernist commentators are presented in the third section. The author evaluates whether there is consistency and coherence or inconsistency and confusion in their postmodernist views of urban planning and design. The implications of postmodern urbanism for the fields of urban planning and design are presented in the fourth section. Overall, the study shows that even though postmodern urbanism may be relevant to urban planning and design as a theoretical construct, postmodernism as a way of decision making has limited implications for the practice-oriented fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem, research strategy, and findings: Form-based codes (FBCs), by definition, put more emphasis on built-form characteristics than do traditional zoning codes. Several municipalities are adopting FBCs as an alternative to Euclidean (traditional) zoning codes to achieve certain objectives; however, the extent to which these codes differ in integrating important planning and design criteria has not been examined. We use a case-study method and evaluate the extent to which the FBCs adopted by the City of Miami (Miami 21), as compared with the city's previous code (Ordinance 11000), reflects the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) criteria. We evaluate the contents of these codes on a 5-point scale for their concordance with LEED-ND criteria. The results indicate that Miami 21 generally goes beyond Ordinance 11000 in reflecting LEED-ND criteria; however, some of the important criteria, such as mixed-income diverse communities and certified green building, deserve more attention in Miami 21. Takeaway for practice: Planners in municipalities seeking alternatives to their traditional zoning code should not only consider replacing it with an FBC, but also to integrate planning principles that LEED-ND incorporates to strengthen the proposed code. They can benefit from the findings of this study when determining the extent to which certain built-form characteristics and LEED-ND criteria should be emphasized and in choosing an appropriate alternative to traditional zoning codes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to determine the contribution of citizen participation and urban design competitions to the quality and outcomes of urban design projects. Urban design projects sometimes involve citizen participation and a design competition before a proposal is accepted for implementation. Although there is considerable literature on citizen participation and on design competitions, there is scant empirical research on the implications of the process for the product. A case study approach was used, in which the author evaluated data collected from a multi-phase citizen participation process and an international design competition for the design of the Great Park in Irvine, California. The design elements proposed by citizens during the citizen participation process and those proposed by the professionals in their competition entries were analyzed for their contribution to the quality of design of the project. The research reveals that, while these processes consume considerable financial and non-financial resources, the citizen participation by itself contributes commonplace ideas and is inadequate for achieving excellence in urban design projects. The paper concludes with recommendations to make the process more effective to achieve optimal results for the product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a typology of neighborhood-scale projects in Southern California, examines their impact on the emerging metropolitan form and discusses policy implications. This region is growing fast and is facing several problems. It is also the focus of inquiry of municipal control of land use regulations that support Tiebout sorting and contribute to social and spatial segregation. Given this, the paper examines whether certain types of projects are being built in certain types of cities and whether these projects are likely to support Tiebout sorting. A survey of city planners was used to collect data about the attributes of 169 projects. The results suggest that the association between the attributes of projects and characteristics of cities is not strong and reveal how certain types of projects might address some of the region's problems. The paper concludes with a discussion of opportunities to create a better metropolitan form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a comment on the framework for sustainable urban design by Nico Larco. The framework provides a description of the potential contribution of specific physical design elements in promoting sustainable design at pertinent scales of development, which could be used by designers and stakeholders in urban design decision making. Sustainable urban design is an important aspect of the field of urban design.

How might innovations in urban design influence urban form? This paper focuses on two types of innovations--identified here as degenerative variations and integrative paradigms--to examine their impact on urban form and to discuss the implications for public policy. The paper begins with a presentation of how degenerative variations collectively generate an undesirable urban form. The paper then illustrates how integrative paradigms are conceived as a response to the problems of development of a particular period and the transformation of urban form. These paradigms are expected to nurture a collective vision and have a positive impact on urban form; however, they are undermined by the realities of development. The paper concludes with a discussion of the policy implications of innovations in urban design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem: As suburbs have grown, become more racially diverse, and become denser in recent years, the planning and design of suburban development has been fundamentally transformed. Is urban design influencing contemporary suburban form, and does this have implications for public policy? Purpose: This article examines how certain urban design ideas, images, and values, that I call city sense because they previously influenced the planning and design of cities rather than suburbs, are now influencing suburban design. Methods: I surveyed and interviewed senior planners in Southern California suburbs, asking them to compare urban design values and physical design elements in both innovative and typical development and redevelopment projects in their municipalities. Results and conclusions: I find considerable agreement among planners that innovative projects are more likely than typical projects to introduce city sense into suburban design and to have a positive impact on suburban form. The surveyed planners believe that innovative projects contribute most significantly to improving visual quality and sense of place, and least significantly to addressing inequities. Takeaway for practice: Planners' views on innovative projects in Southern California indicate that they use urban design values and physical design elements to address some of the problems of growing metropolitan regions, and these design values and elements have potential to influence suburbs positively. Research support: This research was supported by a grant from the University of California, Irvine, Academic Senate Council on Research, Computing, and Library Resources; a grant from the American Planning Association Urban Design and Preservation Division; and by a faculty fellowship from the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Urbanism has gained considerable popularity. This paper evaluates the significance of designing and developing New Urbanist projects, within the contemporary circumstances of urban and suburban development in the United States, using survey research method. It investigates why designers and developers promote New Urbanist projects despite not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) opposition to higher-density developments and despite continued strong preference for single-family homes in standard sub-divisions. Are there any perceived benefits of undertaking such projects? Where do designers, developers and planners concur (or differ) in their assessment of the advantages associated with such projects? The study reveals a considerable agreement among respondents that these projects offer better design, better compatibility with growth management regulations, minimize deterioration of environmental quality, and minimize NIMBY opposition; however, they are restricted by existing land-use regulations, and resistance among the established development community. Implications for the diffusion of New Urbanism are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]