Spatial Understanding and Urban Theory (BYG105)
The course offers an introduction to historic and current urban theory, relating to urban planning and design. In addition, spatial analysis is introduced as a tool to understand, describe, and evaluate urban settings.
Course description for study year 2024-2025
Course code
BYG105
Version
1
Credits (ECTS)
10
Semester tution start
Spring
Number of semesters
1
Exam semester
Spring
Language of instruction
Norwegian
Content
The course introduces historic and current urban theory, relating to urban planning and design. In addition, tools to understand, describe, and evaluate urban settings are introduced. The course is rooted in urban planning and architectural history and theory; and spatial understanding and analysis are trained.
Topics discussed are: form and form language, place and place making, building and street patterns, urban spaces and places. Further, relevant theory relating to the design of cities and the urban environment are introduced. The student is meant to achieve a level of knowledge that allows to execute professional analysis and evaluations of the existing urban environment, as well as proposed projects.
Learning outcome
Students should obtain
- Basic knowledge about urban planning, urban design and architecture theory and history
- Understanding for the urban environment as both physical, functional, semantic and aesthetic reality
- Understanding for spatial qualities
- Basic understanding of relevant urban design theories and their application, as well as relevant literature
- Insight into basic user needs
Students should be able to
- Execute simple spatial analysis
- Describe and interpret urban situations through thematic analyses
- Use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesgin
Students should obtain general knowledge about
- Graphic and oral representation and analysis of existing urban environments
- Expressing ideas graphically (sketches, photomontages, diagrams, drawings, etc.)
- Understand and discuss relevant literature
- Professional discourse about theoretic and conceptual basics of own projects
Required prerequisite knowledge
Exam
Prosjektoppgave og skriftlig eksamen
| Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exam | 2/5 | 3 Hours | Letter grades | None permitted |
| Project | 3/5 | Letter grades |
Written exam is digital. Participation in exercises and literature seminars must be approved in order to be admitted to formal assessment. Project assignment is submitted individually. No re-sit exam is offered on the project assignment. Students who do not pass the project assignment can take this part again the next time the subject has regular teaching.
Coursework requirements
Course teacher(s)
Course coordinator:
Daniela Müller-EieCourse teacher:
Jon BjellandCoordinator laboratory exercises:
Guzman Cruz RodriguezCoordinator laboratory exercises:
Andreas SkaareHead of Department:
Tore MarkesetMethod of work
The course consists of a lecture series and literature seminars. In addition, there are group exercises and individual project work which includes tutorials and presentations.
Tutorials are given during formal teaching hours and participation is mandatory. Everybody needs to attend group work and document their own contributions. Exercises and literature seminars must be approved in order to be admitted to formal assessment.
An Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign course is included in the course.
Overlapping courses
| Course | Reduction (SP) |
|---|---|
| Architectural interpretation (BIB360_1) | 5 |
| Architecture and Place (BIB430_1) | 5 |
| Architecture and Place (BIB110_1) | 5 |
