Module manager: Yasar Awais
Email: Y.Awais@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
The standard qualifications (or equivalent) set by the School of Civil Engineering for entry to any of its JBM accredited UG programmes.
Architecture & Urbanism CIVE3800
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Students will gain an understanding of the forms, origins and processes of urban development. Knowledge of social, environmental and economic factors as affecting urbanism will help to promote a critical approach to design issues as affected by current policy as well as alternative models.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject (contributing to the AHEP4 outcomes in brackets and ARB competences in square brackets):
1. Understand how diverse global, cultural, social, technological, economic factors and building technology influence aspects of architecture and urban design [CK1 part]
2. The introductory principles and relevance of social sustainability, social value and inclusive design [CK3 part]
3. Some principles of climate change and biodiversity as relevant to design and construction [CK4 part]
4. Understand the relevant legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and policies related to the development of the built environment [RE4 part]
5. Select and critically evaluate the technical literature and other sources of information to understand and analyse complex problems in the context of design and construction (M4 part)
6. Environmental and societal impacts of solutions to complex problems (M7 part)
7. Develop an understanding of inclusive approaches to engineering and architectural practice, recognising the responsibilities, benefits and importance of supporting equality, diversity and inclusion (M11 part)
The module investigates the origins and evolution of urban environments primarily from a European perspective, from prehistory through to the present time. Theories of urban development are explored in the context of technological impacts on spatial organisation. Urban development processes and regulatory contexts are described and evaluated.
This module is concerned with the histories and theories relating to urbanism. Using illustrative case studies and literature sources, the origin and development of urban forms are explored from classical times through the medieval period in Europe, the impact of the Renaissance and the industrial revolution on spatial planning and urban activity, and then the alternative definitions of urbanism offered by cheap, rapid transportation and communication systems.
Examples studied include: Athens and Rome, grids and ‘urban equipment’, medieval ‘organic’ planning, renaissance ideal cities, baroque planning as improvement or control, density and overcrowding in industrial cities, decentralisation or improved technology as solutions – Berlin vs the Garden City movement, Los Angeles and the 100-mile city.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class tests, exams and assessment | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Lecture | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Private study hours | 76 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 24 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
Research based on directed learning targets identified in lectures (from web-based sources of information; study of precedents; specific texts identified from a reading list, etc).
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Take home coursework | 80 |
| Presentation | Group Presentation - presentation of research method and summary report | 20 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
100% take home coursework, resubmission to the original brief
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 14/05/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team