Participating in the blog section has had a big impact on my academic life, inspiring my confidence and improving my communication skills. This experience not only helped my writing abilities but also established in me the habit of reading and studying, which has greatly increased my expertise as an urban designer. In today’s fast-changing world, being current on numerous topics, such as new methodologies, research findings, and unique concepts, is vital in the field of urban design. Writing blogs has given me the confidence to communicate my opinions and insights without reservation. This ne ..read more

Urban designers play a key role in converting unused areas into greener, more sustainable areas. To create vibrant and environmentally responsible urban settings, they bring their skills in planning, design, and the fusion of numerous aspects. Some key contributions that urban designers can make are Site Analysis and Assessment, Conceptualization and Design Development, Green Infrastructure Integration, Community Engagement and Stakeholder Collaboration which can help and contribute to repurpose unused places using an interdisciplinary approach. Through their experience, they may develop groun ..read more

Street furniture is an integral part of establishing a friendly and living neighborhood for inhabitants in urban design homes. Benches, tables, and seating places that are strategically arranged can create a handy and comfortable place for people to gather and socialize. Planters, green spaces, and other ornamental features can assist create an attractive environment and foster a sense of community pride and ownership. Street furniture can also help to promote safety and security in urban settings. Adequate illumination, for example, can help reduce crime and make citizens feel safer when walk ..read more

The urban environment is constantly changing, and as cities grow and evolve, they must adapt to the changing needs of their inhabitants. Urban adaptability refers to a city’s ability to respond and adjust to new challenges and opportunities. The concept is especially important in the face of the ongoing climate crisis, which poses new challenges to urban environments, such as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and heatwaves. Urban adaptability requires a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to urban planning and design. It involves creating flexible and adaptable urban infrastr ..read more

Net zero energy cities are defined as the city where the total carbon-dioxide emission is balanced by its elimination, from the environment. Most countries across the world aim to reduce the emission and achieve net zero. As per the net zero cities, annually over 75% of co2 emissions are discharged from urban areas. Globally over 240 cities have targeted to achieve net zero or carbon neutrality by 2050 [1]. Many, get inspired by the campaigns like Race to Zero initiated by the United Nations. According to reports presented by World Economic Forum more than 1000 cities have participated in Race ..read more

One of the major environmental challenges we face today is mobility. It is vital in framing connectivity amongst people. The demand for mobility is increasing rapidly due to urbanization, digitization, globalization, and demographic change. However, there is an urgent need to address climate change and the depletion of natural resources to ensure a sustainable and livable future. Some examples of sustainable mobility practices include: Active transportation: Walking, cycling, and other forms of non-motorized transportation are highly sustainable, as they produce no emissions and require minim ..read more

Climate change and rising sea levels are affecting the design and structure of cities. Edward Barsley, the author of Retrofitting for Flood Resilience, provides six key methods in his book for modifying urban and natural areas to minimize the impact of flooding. He believes that flood-resistant design can significantly reduce the exposure and vulnerability of communities and the environment to flooding, and can help those affected recover more quickly. Therefore, flood-resistant design should be seen as an opportunity to improve cities, rather than just a necessity. Figure 1: Riverfront acces ..read more

I. An urban and ecological transformation: Las Salinas. There was a collaboration of teams with the Zidell Family, West 8, Eco Northwest, Place Studio, and GBD Architects to rejuvenate the Zidell Yards in Portland, which was one of the last undeveloped sites along the Willamette River. Figure-1: Depicting the proposed master-plan along the Willamette River. (https://worldlandscapearchitect.com/creating-a-new-model-for-waterfront-revitalization/?v=79cba1185463) The extensive cleanup of this brownfield, which was the largest and most complex in the city, paved the way for the area to become the ..read more

Urban density is a multifaceted concept that can be measured in various ways, depending on the context and purpose of the analysis. Population density and residential building density are among the most common and straightforward measures of urban density. The idea of taking a scaled approach to density, rather than simply maximizing height or density, can help create more livable and human-scaled environments. Mid-rise buildings, which typically range from 5 to 12 stories, can offer a number of advantages in this regard. (Wu, Hao, Somwrita Sarkar, and Levinson, D. (2020) How Transit Scaling S ..read more