The Analytical and Alternatives Generation Phases in Urban Design Practice in US Cities. The Case Study of Pittsburgh Development Plan 2001

Abstract

According to some experts, urban design plans adopted in US cities are often developed without being underpinned by relevant analytical content, or are not based on in-depth analysis for the specific problem of the study area. There may be need to examine current urban design plans to provide local authorities with new processes that would improve urban design and implementation. This paper examines the analysis and alternatives generation methods used in a selected case of urban design practice in Pittsburgh and compares them against various theoretical conceptions. It attempts to establish gaps in its methodology and to explore the extent with which the analytical content underpinned the design solutions. It has been found that the plan's content has emphasized the role of research and analysis in its methodological framework and had a significant impact on the development plan yet with various degrees of success. The paper identifies the methodology and techniques adopted in both phases, and highlights the gaps in each phase as well as gaps between both phases. The paper found that the analysis phase and the analytical content have had significant impact on the general and the specific levels of the development plan yet with different degrees of success. In sum, the policies were generally good at expressing the analytical content and consultative bases of policies.