Outline an analytical framework for study of urban form and structure

Determinants of Urban Form and Structure

Highlight four characteristics of sustainable urban form and structure

Define the terms form and structure of cities as used in urban planning

This is the process of designing and shaping cities, towns and villages. In contrast to architecture, which focuses on the design of individual buildings, it deals with the larger scale of groups of buildings, streets and public spaces, whole neighborhoods and districts, and entire cities, with the goal of making urban areas functional, attractive, and sustainable. The process demands a good understanding of a wide range of subjects from physical geography, through to social science, and an appreciation for disciplines, such as real estate development, urban economics, political economy and social theory.

The nature of development of urban systems is a function of the social, economic, political and geographic systemsand these influence its legibility, character and morphology. Supporting your arguments with specific urbandevelopment concepts and cases studies, explore the extent to which the statement is true for the City of Harare.Your understanding of the relevant active and dormant layers affecting the urban design and morphological textureof the city of Harare is crucial to the response you will provide. As additional guides consider the followingi. Social function -housing systems and the development narrative with its interface with the global worldinstitutional issues as noted in UN Habitat I-III. Consider other institutions such as religion, social classes (suchas age, income, race, gender, etc), supporting institutions (health, education, entertainment, etc) andinfrastructure;ii. Political function -administrative function and the legal framework. Consider its interface with globaldevelopmental controversial dimensions affecting urban development within the realms of sustainability andthe management of capital movement and its effect on social classes;iii. Geographic -the configuration and ordering of urban spaces, its built fabric and infrastructure in response tothe dialectics of socio-economic-political on one side and climatic and geomorphological structure on theotheriv. Economic -the resource base of the urban systems and how it affects the social and political functions in thedevelopment and morphology of the city;v. Your conceptual framework must identify instruments relevant for morphological studies