Ethiopian Urban Design Manual - Final Ind 1-TS Reviewed - 100516

Ministry of Urban Development &Housing
URBAN DESIGN MANUAL

ETHIOPIA
FINAL VERSION
MAY, 2016
Egis International in association with IAU-IdF and UrbaLyon, Urban Design Manual,May 2016
Table of Contents
1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Background: Urban Design and Local Area Planning under Rapid Urbanization ______________ 1
1.2 Methodology ______________________________________________________________________ 2
1.3 Rationale: The need for an Urban Design Manual ________________________________________ 2
1.4 Objective _________________________________________________________________________ 3
1.5 For Whom is the Manual Intended ____________________________________________________ 3
1.6 How to Use the Manual _____________________________________________________________ 4
1.7 Structure of the Manual _____________________________________________________________ 5
2 Literature Review........................................................................................................................ 7
2.1 Definition of Important Terms and Concepts ____________________________________________ 7
2.1.1 Urban Design _______________________________________________________________________ 7
2.1.2 Scale and Type of Urban Design _______________________________________________________ 11
2.2 Benchmarking International Experience ______________________________________________ 12
2.2.1 Purpose and Criteria for Selecting Urban Design Practices___________________________________ 12
2.2.2 United States of America: Louisiana -East Baton Rouge City _________________________________ 13
2.2.3 England: Southampton City Centre Urban Design Strategy __________________________________ 26
2.2.4 India: Le Corbusier’s Chandigarh. ______________________________________________________ 28
2.2.5 South Africa: Century City Urban Design Framework _______________________________________ 29
2.2.6 Lessons Learnt _____________________________________________________________________ 32
2.3 Benchmarking Local Experiences ___________________________________________________ 34
2.3.1 Urban Design Practices and Gaps in Ethiopia _____________________________________________ 34
2.3.2 Existing gaps observed on urban design activities of Ethiopia's urban areas _____________________ 41
2.4 Principles of Urban Design _________________________________________________________ 43
Design Quality Criteria and Neighbourhood Guidelines______________________________________________ 44
3 Contents and Procedures for Urban Design Plans...................................................47

3.1 Preparatory Work_________________________________________________________________ 48
3.1.1 Major Tasks of the Preparatory Phase ___________________________________________________ 48
3.1.2 Major Deliverables __________________________________________________________________ 54
3.1.3 Responsible Body __________________________________________________________________ 54
3.1.4 Time Requirement __________________________________________________________________ 54
3.2 Urban Planning and Urban Design Phase _____________________________________________ 55
3.2.1 Purpose of the Phase ________________________________________________________________ 55
3.2.2 Major Tasks of the Planning and Design Phase ___________________________________________ 55
3.3 Design Implementation ____________________________________________________________ 84
3.3.1 Purpose of the Implementation Phase ___________________________________________________ 84
3.3.2 Major tasks of the Implementation Phase ________________________________________________ 84
3.3.3 Main Deliverables ___________________________________________________________________ 85
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3.4 Monitoring and Evaluation __________________________________________________________ 86
3.4.1 Why Set up a Monitoring and Evaluation System? _________________________________________ 86
3.4.2 Types of Monitoring _________________________________________________________________ 86
3.4.3 Major tasks of the Implementation Phase ________________________________________________ 87
3.4.4 Main Deliverables ___________________________________________________________________ 88
3.4.6 Mandatory Stages __________________________________________________________________ 90
3.4.7 Mandatory output ___________________________________________________________________ 91
Final Reminder _____________________________________________________________________________ 92
4 Adaptations and Requirements........................................................................................ 94

4.1 Proposed Adaptations to Local Area Planning _________________________________________ 94
4.1.1 Relation with Structure Plans __________________________________________________________ 94
4.1.2 Mandatory versus Optional Local Area Planning ___________________________________________ 94
4.1.3 Emphasis on Urban Form and Regulation in Local Area Plans ________________________________ 95
4.1.4 Impact on Urban Planning and Engineering Firms__________________________________________ 95
4.2 Adaptations to Legal Framework ____________________________________________________ 95
4.2.1 Amendment of Proclamation Number 574/2008 ___________________________________________ 95
4.2.2 Impact on the Proclamation 574/2008 ___________________________________________________ 96
4.2.3 Framework for PPP and UDCOM ______________________________________________________ 96
4.2.4 Other Regulatory Mechanisms _________________________________________________________ 97
4.3 Human Resource and Technology Requirements _______________________________________ 97
4.3.1 Human Resources __________________________________________________________________ 97
4.3.2 Technologies ______________________________________________________________________ 98
5 Zoning and Urban Regulations ........................................................................................100

Content of Design Codes ______________________________________________________________ 100
5.1 Zoning Areas, Zoning Map _________________________________________________________ 101
5.1.1 Choosing your Zoning Areas _________________________________________________________ 101
5.1.2 Tracing the Boundaries _____________________________________________________________ 101
5.2 Articles of Urban Regulation _______________________________________________________ 102
Article 1 Land Use ________________________________________________________________________ 102
Article 2. Plot Characteristics _________________________________________________________________ 103
Article 3 Building Footprint ___________________________________________________________________ 104
Article 4 Floor Area Ratio ____________________________________________________________________ 105
Article 5. Building Heights ___________________________________________________________________ 105
Article 6. Conditions for Buildings on Adjacent Plots _______________________________________________ 106
Article 7. Conditions for Buildings on the Same Plot _______________________________________________ 110
Article 8. Setbacks from the Alignment _________________________________________________________ 110
Article 9. Street Sections ____________________________________________________________________ 111
Article 10. Street Wall Control ________________________________________________________________ 112
Article 11. Fences, Barriers and Enclosures _____________________________________________________ 112
Article 12. Parking _________________________________________________________________________ 114
Additional Articles: _________________________________________________________________________ 115
Spatial Continuity Requirements - Materials, Colour, Rhythm and Openings ____________________________ 115
Continuity Requirements: Signage and Urban Furniture ____________________________________________ 116
Continuity Requirements: Avoiding breaks in Scale _______________________________________________ 116
Protecting the Context of Historic Buildings (Buffers) ______________________________________________ 117
Protecting a Historic Site’s Landscape__________________________________________________________ 118
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Endnote on Writing Urban Regulation __________________________________________________________ 118
APPENDIX A. REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................121

APPENDIX B. URBAN DESIGN PRIMER ....................................................................................... 124
1. Reading the Urban Pattern_________________________________________________________ 125
i. The City Scale ____________________________________________________________________ 125
ii. Population Density _________________________________________________________________ 126
iii. Urban Origins _____________________________________________________________________ 128
iv. Cities Grow Outwards ______________________________________________________________ 130
v. Density Changes, Centrality __________________________________________________________ 133
vi. Reading Landscape and Skyline ______________________________________________________ 134
2. From City to Urban Fabric _________________________________________________________ 135
i. Urban Street Networks ______________________________________________________________ 135
ii. Plots, Streets, Buildings _____________________________________________________________ 140
iii. Buildings and Space________________________________________________________________ 142
iv. Squares and Plazas ________________________________________________________________ 144
v. Street Aspect _____________________________________________________________________ 145
3. Design Building Blocks ___________________________________________________________ 146
i. Parcelling Land and Phasing for Development ___________________________________________ 146
ii. Phasing _________________________________________________________________________ 146
iii. Parcel and Plot ____________________________________________________________________ 147
iv. Plot and Building __________________________________________________________________ 148
v. Density __________________________________________________________________________ 149
vi. Movement and Road Networks _______________________________________________________ 149
vii. Street Networks and Connectivity _____________________________________________________ 151
viii. Street Hierarchy ___________________________________________________________________ 152
ix. Topography and Climate ____________________________________________________________ 153
4. Shaping Urban Space_____________________________________________________________ 155
i. Street design elements______________________________________________________________ 155
ii. Blocks and Enclosure _______________________________________________________________ 158
iii. Public Open Space_________________________________________________________________ 161
iv. Piazzas and Squares _______________________________________________________________ 166
v. Corners__________________________________________________________________________ 168
vi. Junctions ________________________________________________________________________ 169
vii. Parking __________________________________________________________________________ 169
viii. Landscaping and Street Furniture _____________________________________________________ 170
ix. Entrances, Arcades, Porticoes ________________________________________________________ 172
x. Traffic Calming ____________________________________________________________________ 173
xi. Safety ___________________________________________________________________________ 175
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List of Figures
Figure 1: Urban Design Levels of East Baton Rouge Parish ....................................................................................... 15
Figure 2: National Theatre Area ................................................................................................................................... 35
Figure 3: Bahir Dar City CBD, Source: Google earth image, 2016 .............................................................................. 38
Figure 4: Gezira plan of 1909, Dire Dawa City Administration ..................................................................................... 40
Figure 5.Parts of Proclamation 574/2008 that Require Modification ............................................................................ 96
Figure 6; Zoning Examples at Different Scales .......................................................................................................... 103
Figure 7.Buildable and Not Buildable Plots ................................................................................................................ 104
Figure 8. Correlation between FAR and Massing ...................................................................................................... 106
Figure 9. Measuring Height ........................................................................................................................................ 106
Figure 10. Continuous, Semi-detached and Detached Street Fronts ......................................................................... 107
Figure 11. Planting on Setback .................................................................................................................................. 108
Figure 12. Distances for Buildings on Same Plot ....................................................................................................... 110
Figure 13. Setback, Cornice Line and Awning ........................................................................................................... 111
Figure 14. Typical street sections and setbacks ........................................................................................................ 112
Figure 15.Spatial separation can maintain transparency ........................................................................................... 113
Figure 16. Integrating parking .................................................................................................................................... 114
Figure 17.Landmarks through signage. Continuity of form, though not of material. ................................................... 115
Figure 18. Stepping down façades to avoid breaks in scale ...................................................................................... 116
Figure 19. The relationship between a historic monument and its landscape and/or its surrounding historic fabric
should be conserved integrally .......................................................................................................................... 117
Figure 20. Historic landscape relationships ............................................................................................................... 118
Figure 21: Giovanni Francesco Grimaldi (Bologna 1608 - Rome 1680) Landscape near Viterbo .................. 120
Figure 22. A view of Bologna, 1861 .......................................................................................................................... 125
Figure 23. Compact versus sprawl............................................................................................................................. 126
Figure 24. Density gradients ...................................................................................................................................... 126
Figure 25.The castle complex of Gondar ................................................................................................................... 128
Figure 26. City and topography .................................................................................................................................. 129
Figure 27. Along the water ......................................................................................................................................... 129
Figure 28.Tha natural site ‘steers’ expansion ............................................................................................................ 131
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Figure 29. The flexibility of the grid to rapid change................................................................................................... 132

Figure 30. Centrality variants ..................................................................................................................................... 133
Figure 31. Skyline and landscape .............................................................................................................................. 134
Figure 32; Organic to grid .......................................................................................................................................... 135
Figure 33.from grid to hybrid & radial concentric........................................................................................................ 136
Figure 34. Connectivity and broken or incomplete grids ............................................................................................ 138
Figure 35.Street relationship to topography: .............................................................................................................. 139
Figure 36. Streets cutting plot subdivisions ................................................................................................................ 140
Figure 37.grain of urban fabric ................................................................................................................................... 140
Figure 38. Street-space.............................................................................................................................................. 141
Figure 39. Block densification .................................................................................................................................... 141
Figure 40. Fabric and monument ............................................................................................................................... 142
Figure 41. Examples of block size and scale variations ............................................................................................. 143
Figure 42; Examples of squares ................................................................................................................................ 144
Figure 43. Signage determining streetscape.............................................................................................................. 145
Figure 44.Example of landscaping determinant of public space. Garden city, garden neighbourhood. ..................... 146
Figure 45. Plot and parcel .......................................................................................................................................... 147
Figure 46. Building placement relative to street and plot ........................................................................................... 148
Figure 47. Density and height .................................................................................................................................... 149
Figure 48.the flexibility of grids................................................................................................................................... 150
Figure 49; examples of street section segmenting ..................................................................................................... 155
Figure 50. Examples of parking solutions .................................................................................................................. 156
Figure 51.Examples of Squares – Paris, XVII-th to XIX-th centuries ......................................................................... 167
Figure 52. Examples of Corner Treatment ................................................................................................................. 168
Figure 53. Examples of Landscaping and Street Furniture ........................................................................................ 171
Figure 54. Entrance treatment ................................................................................................................................... 173
Figure 55. Raised pedestrian crossing in Abu Dhabi ................................................................................................. 174
Figure 56. Pedestrian Safety...................................................................................................................................... 175
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List of Tables
Table 1: Selected Cities and CBD for International Practice Review ........................................................................... 13
Table 2: Urban Design Standards set for the four levels of urban design in East Baton Rouge Parish .......................17
Table 3. Flowchart of Minimal Mandatory Stages ........................................................................................................ 90
Table 4. Summary of minimal, mandatory outputs ....................................................................................................... 91
Table 5. Continuous, Detached, Semi-detached street Front Characteristics............................................................ 109
Table 6. Connectivity summary .................................................................................................................................. 151
Table 7. Street hierarchy summary ............................................................................................................................ 152
Table 8.topography and climate summary ................................................................................................................. 153
Table 9. Summary of street design elements ............................................................................................................. 157
Table 10. Building depth variants ............................................................................................................................... 160
Table 11.public open space typologies ...................................................................................................................... 162
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Acronyms
AACA Addis Ababa City Administration
ADB Asian Development Bank
BAR Built Area Ratio
BCE Before the common Era
CA City Administration
CAD Computer Aided Design
CBD Central Business District
CBO Community Based Organization
CSA Central Statistics Agency
CSO Civil Society Organization
CWS City Wide Structure Plan
DRI Direct Route Index
ECPI Ethiopian Cities Prosperity Initiative
EEPCo Ethiopian Electricity and Power Corporation
EFY Ethiopian Fiscal Year
EMA Ethiopian Mapping Agency
ERC Ethiopian Railway Corporation
ETB Ethiopian Birr
FAR Floor Area Ratio
FDI Foreign Direct Investment
FUDC Federal Urban Development Company
GoE Government of Ethiopia
GTP Growth and Transformation Plan
H Height
Hc Cornice Height
HR Human Resource
Hr Height of Setback level
IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
IDP Integrated Development Plan
IRR Internal Rate of Return
LDP Local Development Plan
LPA Local Public Administrations
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
MoFEC Ministry of Finance and Economic Cooperation
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MoI Ministry of Industry

MoT Ministry of Transport
MoWIE Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy
MUDHo Ministry of Urban Development and Housing
MSE Micro and Small Enterprise
NDP Neighbourhood Development Plan
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
NPC National Planning Commission
NUDP National Urban Development Plan
NUDSP National Urban Development Spatial Plan
PPP Public Private Partnerships
RfP Request for Proposal
RUDC Regional Urban Development Company
S South
SC Steering Committee
SDF Strategic Development Framework
SE South East
SEZ Special Economic Zone
SP Strategic Plan or Structure Plan
SWOT Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat
Sqm Square Meters
TAC Technical Advisory Committee
TOD Transit Oriented Development
ToR Terms of Reference
UD Urban Design
UDP Urban Design Plan
UGGCB Urban Good Governance and Capacity Building
UK United Kingdom
ULGDP Urban Local Government Development Project
UMsb Urban Multi Story Building
UNESCAP United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
UUDP United Nations Development Program
Upa Urban Public Amenity
UPSBB Urban Planning, Sanitation and Beautification Bureau
USA United States of America
US United States
USD US Dollar
WB World Bank
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PREFACE
The manual is intended for urban designers, architects and engineers in Ethiopia -
working either in the public sector, or in private practice -at acity, neighbourhood and/or
local area levels, with emphasis on the preparation of urban designs.
The manual was commissioned by the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, as
part of the National Urban Development Spatial Plan(NUDSP), cognizant of the existing
planning manuals (for city-wide structure plans and for local development plans) did not
adequately address urban design and the possible elements to be incorporated when it
is prepared at different levels of urban development i.e. inner city renewal, upgrading of
transitional zones and new developments in expansion areas.
The scale of the urban design is increasingly important, because urbanization in

Ethiopia is expected to bring 30 million people to its cities, large and small, between
2015 and 2035, and much of this demand will be for physical and social infrastructures
such as housing, schools, open spaces, road, and water among others. This means
that urban designers, working in both the public and the private sectors will have to
design and approve a great many layouts for new neighbourhoods and redeveloping
dilapidated existing areas often very quickly.
Consequently, planners and designers need a simple set of rules on how to achieve
good quality urban designs, and an equally clear set of rules on how to regulate the
associated land uses and construction, in other words on how to write the urban
planning code to accompany neighbourhood designs, on which basis the local
administration can grant building permits.
Responding to these needs, the manual is intended as both a procedural guide for local
authorities responsible for approving urban design plans, as well as a primer for
professionals, architects, urban planners and engineers involved in developing urban
designs.
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INTRODUCTION
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1 Introduction
1.1 Background: Urban Design and Local Area Planning under Rapid
Urbanization
Ethiopia’s urban population will continue to grow significantly over the next few
decades, with approximately 30 million persons arriving in large, medium and small
urban centres, between 2015 and 2035. This rapid as well as massive increase in urban
numbers inevitably leads to increased demand for urban housing and basic services, as
well as for industrial, commercial and recreational uses. If the future urban centres of
Ethiopia are not to be chaotic, such developments must continue to be planned and
designed.
Under the present planning system, Ethiopia has a four-tier system, with national,
regional, city and local planning layers. However, spatial planning is statutory only at
city and local area scales. At national scale, work has been done on the NUDSP, and
sector plans exist. Regions draft general development plans, not corresponding to a
regional spatial plan document. However, at city level, the city and the local scales
correspond to specific statutory documents: TheCity-Wide Structure Plan (SP) and the
Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP).
This division between structure plans and local plans corresponds to international
practices. Nevertheless, the content of statutory plans and their approval procedures,
especially between structure plans and NDPs, and within NDPs require revision and
simplification. The preparation of these two plans are conducted based on detailed,
understandable and replicable manuals which create a common ground among
professionals.
However, the practices of urban design in the country is geared by the provisions set in
the 2006 LDP Manual. The manual did not provide the detailed aspects of urban design
so that the designs prepared are mere reflection of aspiration of communities and
making cities appealing.
Thus, this manual has been prepared in order to create a common understanding by all
concerned stakeholders, i.e. professionals, government officials, residents, private
sector operators, etc. towards the preparation of urban design in accordance with the
development status/zones/ within an urban area. Furthermore, the manual considers
the urban development scenarios observed in urban Ethiopia.
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1.2 Methodology
The manual has been prepared taking into account a number of references and source
materials. Firstly, previous manuals produced by the Ministry of Urban Development
and Housing (MUDHo), as well as Ethiopian sector policy documents, and several
recent structuring documents for Ethiopia, including the World Bank’s Ethiopia
Urbanization Review (2015) and the State of Ethiopian CitiesReport (2015).
Secondly, the Consultant’s experience, as well as number of international manuals and
best practices compendia have also informed the manual especially in relation to
housing for new urban residents:
Thirdly, the architectural theory, urban sociology and design literature have been relied
on, with a focus on neighbourhood design, residential design, and the social problems
faced by migrants adapting to urban environments.
Finally, while spatial quality is highly contextual, the elements of quality of life in cities
can be more easily described across cultures, and common threads of urban policy and
management can be identified.
Current World Bank and AsianDevelopment Bank (ADB) policy frameworks point to
common elements of city quality in the developing world (see below). These core
concepts inform the present design manual in its entirety, and can be used as
verification criteria in specific stages of the design process, such as when formulating
program and concept (Chapter 3.3), or when writing elements of urban regulation
(Chapter 4), or in establishing the building blocks of urban fabric (Chapter 5).
1.3 Rationale: The need for an Urban DesignManual

The rationale for the preparation of this urban design manual are:
• The urban planning law of Ethiopia, proclamation no.574/2008 stated on Article 11
sub article 2 that Local Development Plans (LDP) shall prescribe the urban design
principles that need to be followed while undertaking urban design for an urban
centre. On the other hand the LDP manual prepared in 2006 has set out that the
basic elements of urban design that shall be presented as a three dimensional
drawings. Thus, the LDP manual fail to internalize the concepts and contexts for
• urban design and it merely focuses on the detail aspects of urban design: urban
design frameworks, guiding principles, massing and scale, materials among others.
• The urban designs which are prepared as per the provisions of the 2006 LDP
manual did not create a sense of belongingness to the citizens due to the fact that
they are prepared with the aspiration of professionals without due consideration of
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urban contexts and rarely hearing the opinion of urban residents whose vision shall
be reflected through urban designs.
• Among the elements of urban design reflected on the LDP manual the most
significant one often shown on a three dimensional effect, as a drawing on paper, of
an action area is Aesthetics where spacing between buildings are overlooked.
Furthermore, it is observed that these urban design drawings indicated that
buildings lack continuity, and the functionality of spaces have not been well thought
and may change through time.
• Lack of conformity between LDP proposals and what is already done on the ground
has resulted in the preparation of over ambitious urban designs that are not backed
by implementation capacity of urban areas and investors.
• The LDP studies provide implementation strategies for the LDP and it may or may
not reflect the mechanism on how to implement the urban design components of the
LDP.
• Most of all the existing urban design efforts in Ethiopia are not guided by
appropriate legal frameworks and clear procedures for urban design preparation,
approval, implementation, and revision.
• The urban design so far prepared for various urban centres does not consider the
importance of sharing best practices from other countries with reputable and
implementable practices on urban design.
1.4 Objective
The principal objective of this Manual is to provide comprehensive, understandable,
replicable and implementable urban design guidelines which consistently set ground
rules for the provision of urban designs for urban centres of Ethiopia. More specifically
the study will have the following purposes:
• To provide clear guidance on urban design procedureto developers, planning
officers, urban planning consultants, the public and other interested parties in
bringing forward proposals for urban design in Ethiopian urban centres, and
• To help equip all those involved in the delivery of places with guidance on achieving
and assessing the quality of urban design in developing and restoring urban areas.
1.5 For Whom is the Manual Intended

The manual is intended for urban designers, architects and engineers in Ethiopia -
either in the public sector, or in private practice - working and engaged on local area
plans and urban design practices.
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The manual is, first and foremost intended for the technical staff – designers, engineers,
and building inspectors – employed by public administrations tasked with approving
neighbourhood and urban designs, as well as the technical staff employed by private
firms to elaborate these same urban designs.
Secondly, the manual targets intermediate level administrators - at local, regional or at
central level - with regard to their triple role in (i) validating urban regulation and
ensuring its compliance with appropriate norms, standards and policies (ii) ensuring that
the designs are financially realistic and applicable, and finally (iii) ensuring that their
administration has the capacity and legal tools to deal with the designs that their city or
region will require over the coming years.
Last but not least, because neighbourhood and/or urban spacesare public realm, the
manual is intended for interested members of the public. This membership can span a
broad range, from the concerned citizen, to members of neighbourhood associations,
NGO staff, professional unions, developers etc.
1.6 How to Use the Manual

This manual can be read and used both integrally, and per chapter. A first reading of the
entire manual is recommended for familiarization and perspective. Thus, the manual is
meant to support urban professionals working at all levels of urbancentres and private
sector investors who wish to build a property in some part of an urban area. Thus, they
are expected to read the introduction and literature parts which discuss the concepts,
principles, strategies and replicable urban design frameworks/principles which need to
be understood before embarking on the detail aspects of the manual.
Furthermore, in using the manual, urban professionals are highly advised to seriously
examine their local conditions based on previous studies i.e. SP and LDP pertaining to
part of an urban area. Then they shall adapt some of the prescriptions stated in the
manual to their contexts.
After this, the reader interested in procedural issues may turn to the procedural parts of
the manual to deal with the possible contents expected from an urban design. Therein,
because each design phase corresponds to a sub-chapter, the reader interested in
specific guidance can turn directly to the sub- chapter involved in his work.
The reader interested principally in ensuring institutional capacity and/or adapting the
legal framework can turn directly to the recommendations in chapter 4.
The reader requiring a reminder of basic rules for writing urban regulation can turn
directly to chapter 5.
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The reader wishing a reminder of basic urban design building blocks and their
interrelation may go directly to the Appendix.
1.7 Structure of the Manual

The manual is structured into five chapters and appendices.
Chapter one outlines the introduction part where the study methodology, rationale,
objectives/purposes and hints on the use of the manual has been clearly indicated. The
second chapter on the other hand provided discussions on international and local urban
design benchmarking. This part of the manual contains definition of urban design, urban
design best practices traced from Louisiana in USA, Southampton of United Kingdom,
Le-Corbusier’s Chandigarh in India and Century City in South Africa. In addition to these
international practices the manual has investigated the local urban design practices in
Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa and Bahir Dar. Both experiences are used to outline the
purpose, suggested content, and process for arriving at statutory spatial planning
documents for urban design within Neighbourhood area planning.
Chapter 3 is procedural, specifying the statutory content, elaboration phases and
approval procedures for urban design plans and 3D presentations. It is prepared with
due consideration of urban development levels observed in the country i.e. inner city,
transitional and expansion zones which have quiet varied investment opportunities,
housing demand and commuting distances along with the provision of physical and
social infrastructures. The procedures of phases to be followed while preparing an
urban design include preparatory, planning and design, design implementation,
monitoring and evaluation.
Chapter four provides descriptions on adaptations and requirements. This chapter
discusses on the relations of urban design with structure plans, local area planning,
urban form and regulation in local area plans and impact on urban planning and
engineering firms. Furthermore, it explains adaptations to legal framework along with
human resource and technology requirements.
Chapter 5 addresses the process of writing urban regulation, with recommendations on
the minimum content of local urban regulation and recommendations on drafting per
each article.
Appendix A is structured as a neighbourhood designer’s handbook or primer,
assembling a set of basic urban design building blocks for good neighbourhood design.
It includes a set of basic rules for “reading the city and urban fabric” in order to
contextualize the design, historically, in relation to existing urban form, and with regards
to foreseeable future demands.Appendix B is the Bibliography.
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CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
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2 Literature Review
2.1 Definition of Important Terms and Concepts
2.1.1 Urban Design
As a discipline, Urban Design can be in the simplest terms defined as the art and
technique of creating and shaping towns and cities.As such, urban design involves the
arrangement and design of buildings, streets and other public spaces, transport
systems, services, and amenities.
As a process, Urban Design is “the collaborative and multi-disciplinary process of
shaping the physical setting for life in cities, towns and villages; the art of making
places; design in an urban context. Urban design involves the design of buildings,
groups of buildings, spaces and landscapes, and the establishment of frameworks and
processes that facilitate successful development”. 1
Urban design is a complementary discipline to Urban planning, which can be described
as the broader “technical and political process concerned with the welfare of people,
control of the use of land, design of the urban environment including transportation and
communication networks, and protection and enhancement of the natural
environment” 2.
Definitions of urban design in Design Guidelines and handbooks are also useful in that
they reflect the particular focus of practitioners, not the more general definitions of
academia.
In 'Illustrated Urban Design Principlesof City of London, 2010' urban design is defined
as
The process of shaping the setting (or public realm) for life in cities,
towns and villages. How does the public realm work together with the
built form and transportation? In general terms, the public realm (i.e.
streets, public squares, parks and open space) influences the type of
urban environment we can create. The urban environment has a profound
effect on how we live our lives both in our neighbourhoods and the larger
city. At its heart, urban design incorporates a “people first” design
philosophy. This design approach promotes healthy and socially
interactive neighbourhoods that contribute to the economic success of
1
http://www.udg.org.uk/about/what-is-urban-design
2
https://mcgill.ca/urbanplanning/planning
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cities.
The Urban Design manual of Miami-Dade County USA 1999 provides the
followingdefinition for urban design:
The comprehensive integration of exterior spaces and structures
that comprise the built environment. The intent is to produce a public
realm of attractive and comfortable places in which people will feel
inclined to dwell. All scales of development can be improved through the
application of urban design principles. These principles help to define
community character by the manipulation of blocks and streets, building
setbacks, landscape, building height and massing, and architectural
articulation. Applied to site planning and architecture, urban design
concepts can result in public spaces, including streets, which adequately
accommodate and enhance both pedestrian and automobile use. Urban
design can produce communities sympathetic to human scale and
corridors that significantly increase pedestrian participation. Successful
urban design produces diversity, distinctiveness and a sense of place
within the community.
Thus, the core definition for urban design
can be summarized as: “urban design
seeks to understand, guide and shape the
form of the city from the strategic to the
street level, yet it is not focused on
architecture per se. It is an approach to
integrate elements and disciplines to
achieve city quality. It now influences the
management, development and the
promotion of many of our urban centres”.
This is because:
• At a national (even international) level it can be part of a re-branding of a city - re-
establishing a sense of confidence and quality.
• At a regional level it can support a range of business, leisure, retail and tourism
initiatives, enhancing economic competitiveness.
• At a local level it can stimulate new investment by retailers, hotels, restaurants,
developers, house builders, etc.
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• Over the long term, it acts as a basis for

sustained investment and development,
reinforcing spatial priorities and providing
qualitative standards and guidance.
• Finally, but perhaps overriding, it provides the
basis for establishing a strong sense of place.
Hence, good urban design is characterized by,
among other things:
• Well-defined open spaces - Well-defined open
spaces are an important component of urban
design and are an integral element of a
neighbourhood. Streets, buildings or landscape
should clearly define the edges of open spaces.
Properly planned open spaces offer areas for
social interaction, recreation as well as provide
the foreground for civic structures or
monuments.
• Defined block edges - Defined block edges help
form the physical containers of public space.
Block edges are defined by buildings placed
close to the street following uniform front
setbacks. They can be reinforced by the addition
of low walls, fences or hedges along the front
property line or between buildings, thus clearly
distinguishing the public from the private realm.
• Interconnected street network - An
interconnected street network improves mobility
by providing more options to reach a destination
and the dispersal of traffic, as well as by making
it easier for pedestrians to access more direct
routes between destinations. Features of an
interconnected network of streets include a
hierarchy of streets, complete streets, shorter
walk-able blocks, and more frequent
intersections to calm traffic.
• Human scale - Human scale is the relationship
of space and objects to the proportion and
capability of the human body. For a public space
to feel comfortable, the individual must experience a positive relationship to the
9
space. Human scale is the basis of urban design as it pertains to the dimensions of
objects and spaces including block sizes, street widths, walking distances, building
heights and architectural details.
• Focal points - Focal points are

elements that provide visual identity
and a sense of uniqueness within the
community. They include such
elements as squares and greens,
fountains and statuary and important
civic buildings or any other space or
form that helps identify a particular
neighbourhood. Focal points should be
placed in prominent locations or
terminating street vistas.
• Variety of building types - A variety of
building types accommodates different
uses, lifestyles and enhances a sense
of community. Neighbourhoods should
be designed to elicit a diversity of
building types, uses and residents.
• Compatibility - A cohesive
neighbourhood environment depends
on buildings that complement one
another. The height, mass and location
of buildings as well as the uses
contained within them, create patterns
that define neighbourhood character.
Buildings within a neighbourhood
should be compatible with the pattern of its surrounding context.
• Walk-ability - Walk-ability is a measure of ease in which pedestrians move through
a community. Walk-ability has health, environmental and economic benefits; and it
is influenced by the presence of sidewalks, block dimensions, building accessibility,
traffic and safety among other factors.
• Sustainability - Sustainability is the ability of communities to minimize their impact
on the environment, in order to create neighbourhoods that endure. Sustainability
incorporates a community’s natural resources as integral features of its design. It
combines environmental with human resources and celebrates continuity,
uniqueness and place making.
However, the aforementioned characters of urban design are defined in the context of
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various dimensions namely: morphological, perceptual, temporal, functional, social, and

visual dimensions.
• Morphological dimension: Urban morphology means the layout and configuration
of urban form and space. It is also considered as the study of the form and shape of
settlements.
• Perceptual dimension: Is awareness and appreciation of environmental
perception, and, in particular, of perception and experience of place.
• Temporal dimension: Aesthetic appreciation of the urban environment is primarily
visual and kinesthetic (i.e. involving awareness of movement of all parts of the
body).
• Functional dimension: The social usage and visual traditions of urban design
thought each have a functionalist perspective. The former is concerned with the
functioning of the environment in terms of how people use it.
• Social dimension: Space and society are believed to be related. As a result it is
difficult to conceive of space without social content and, equally, to conceive of
society without a spatial component
• Visual dimension: Activities are fluid in space and time, hence environments are
used differently at different times.
2.1.2 Scale and Type of Urban Design
From the study made at Harvard University Graduate school of Design (2005)several
distinct urban design approaches were identified and are introduced into this manual
and contextualized for design development in Ethiopia.
“Planning, Connecting, and Financing Cities Now: Priorities for City Leaders”
Source: Harvard University Graduate school of Design, 2005
1. Synthetic gestures (Acupuncture intervention)

It is focusing on designing key buildings with urban synergies that have the potential to
trigger urban transformation. This work relies on high-profile, clearly delimited, yet
spectacular design projects that create greater impact to the surrounding.
2. Multiplied grounds (Large urban artifacts)
This tackles the transformation of emblematic parts of the city using converted
infrastructures and/or high-density reuse.
3. Reconfigured Surfaces (Infill projects)
New centres old centres- including the restructuring of fine-grain open space.
4. Piecemeal aggregations (intervention at the intermediate scale),
11
This type of intervention works on the urban fragment, realizing that it can use this
starting point to address general city issues. It con- fronts varying briefs in which
integration between infrastructure city, public and communal spaces, and architecture
and service becomes the fundamental concept.
5. Recycled territories
(Large landscape and city boundary),
This line formulates interventions based on the dynamic qualities of its territory and the
intrinsic logic of its natural environment. This results in the restructuring of large tracts of
land in which human settlement becomes a single element that participates in a broader
ecological system.
6. Core Retrofitting (The updating of historic cores)
This entails recognizing traditional and historic fabrics to guarantee their operative
potential as active urban centres. Certain infrastructures, such as vehicular circulation
and provision of basic services, are updated without altering the city’s most delicate tis-
sues, providing access to the centre and new uses of old facilities, along with the
restriction of traffic, parking schemes, public transport routes, clearing overcrowded
fabric to introduce open pockets, and so on.
2.2 Benchmarking International Experience
2.2.1 Purpose and Criteria for Selecting Urban Design Practices
The rationale of looking at the international practices is to draw lessons that can be
applied or adapted for the Ethiopian urban design, development and management. It is
imperative that the international practices traced cannot directly fit in to the context
Ethiopian urban centres. Thus, it is important to identify first the selection criteria of the
case cities to be considered as international practice.
Thus, the following defining criteria are set for the selection of international practice.
These are:
• The urban design history experienced by the cities
• The urban design frameworks and principles developed to evolve the urban design
of cities.
• Well planned and sustainable city
• Replicable urban design experience
Hence, Different cases have been preliminary reviewed in the selection processes of
the international practices. Cities such as Collingwood, London, Century city,
Southampton, Louisiana, and Chandigarh city have been duly considered in the list.
12
Accordingly, based on the above set criteria, Louisiana, Southampton, Century, and
Chandigarh city have been selected.
Table 1: Selected Cities and CBD for International Practice Review
No. City Urban Design Framework Purpose of Selection
1 Louisiana, The Urban Design and Neighbourhood Urban design prepared at
United States element supplements the Land Use different levels of
of America and the Transportation elements with development in the city i.e.
recommendations for form, character, CBD, major corridors,
and functionality. transition zones, expansion
areas.
2 Southampton, Urban design framework for the city CBD urban design strategy
England has been prepared on three distinct developed but with three
levels. levels of urban
development.
3 Chandigarh Modern city planning principles were Long history of urban
city, India followed in terms of division of urban design dates from 1947.
functions and pedestrian networks.
4 Century city, Urban design framework focuses on Urban design principles
South Africa the functional, form and environmental developed to accommodate
aspects of the built environment. undertaken to Metropolitan
influence.
Source: Compiled by the consultant, 2016
2.2.2 United States of America: Louisiana -East Baton Rouge City
Baton Rouge’s neighbourhoods are among the community’s greatest assets. The City’s
earliest neighbourhoods Beauregard Town, the Garden District, Ogden Park grew as
extensions of downtown and were built within a network of well-connected streets
linking areas of town to each other and to the Port where goods and services were
exchanged. Today, Baton Rouge is fortunate to have a significant amount of remaining
historic housing stock from the early 1900s, and the City-Parish is committed to
maintaining and rebuilding older neighbourhoods in cooperation with owners and the
community.
As new communities grow and reinvestment in existing neighbourhoods continues, the
City-Parish should be guided by a vision for strong interconnected neighbourhoods and
districts which are healthy, walk-able and comfortable environments. The Urban Design
and neighbourhood element supplements the Land Use and the Transportation
elements with recommendations for form, character, and functionality.
Core Values and Aspirations of the Vision for East Baton Rouge
A diverse group of residents and stakeholders representing all parts of East Baton
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Rouge Parish provided input through workshops, open houses, interviews, focus groups
and survey discussions. Respondents consistently cited the following core values and
aspirations they believed should be the foundation for building a vision for East Baton
Rouge Parish. Core values that relate to urban design and neighbourhoods:
• Equity: All residents have access to a good education, public services, housing and
job opportunities.
• Safety: People feel safe where they live, work and play.
• Strong neighbourhoods and communities: Neighbourhoods in all areas of the
City-Parish are desirable places to live and have a range of housing types and
nearby amenities to serve residents.
• Sustainability: The future reflects the creativity and resiliency of East Baton Rouge
Parish’s young residents, with a focus on fiscal, physical, environmental, economic
and equitable sustainability.
Basic Principles of East baton Rouge Urban Design Manual

The urban design manual of East Baton Rouge Parish has set out clear principles as to
establish different urban design levels and associated standards. The principles set
forward include
• The incorporation of sidewalks for all sides of sites that front the public right-of-way.
• The total elimination of minimum parking requirements; encourage shared parking
areas and drives.
• Encouragement and appropriate placement and installation of pedestrian-scaled
lighting fixtures and pedestrian-oriented signage.
Urban Design Levels and Standards set for East Baton Rouge Parish
Baton Rouge Parish has nine urban design overlays and four urban design districts
which supplement the underlying zoning districts. These establish a wide variety of
design requirements including minimum sidewalk widths, parking design requirements
and façade treatments. These districts create a management burden because each
overlay district has a different set of standards and allowable elements.
Thus, the urban design manual prepared for the city of East Baton Rouge Parish in
Louisiana USA has divided the existing urban design overlays and districts into different
urban design levels. The division has been done based on the levels of development
the specific portion of an overlay or a district constitutes. Thus, the manual has set out
four levels of urban design so as to replace the overlay system and provide a
streamlined approach for incorporating universally accepted, replicable design
standards.
14
The Urban design levels discussed are

numbered from one up to four which
illustrates a continuum of urban form from
suburban shopping centre (urban design
level 1) to downtown (urban design level 4).
The urban design levels have been defined
as:
• Urban Design Level One:

This level includes buildings and sites
which are primarily auto-oriented but have
added facilities for pedestrian access.
• Urban Design Level Two:
Level 2 includes buildings that have many
auto-oriented characteristics, but with site
design modifications that further enhance
the pedestrian experience, such as less
parking in front of buildings and additional
pedestrian-oriented landscaping.
• Urban Design Level Three:
Commercial and residential
This urban design level includes storefront
commercial and retail buildings, generally
built to the sidewalk with pedestrian-
oriented display windows, pedestrian
oriented signs, street trees and seating. If
parking is located between the building and
the sidewalk, it should be limited to one
row. In general, parking should be located
on-street and behind buildings.
• Urban Design Level Four: Commercial/Mixed-Use and Residential

Level 4 is the most pedestrian-oriented and correlates with the conditions in the most
walk-able parts of downtown. Parking should not be allowed between the buildings and
the sidewalk. Taller buildings are appropriate and the longer-term goal is to transition all
parking into structures or on-street spaces.
Figure 1: Urban Design Levels of East Baton Rouge Parish
15
Source: Urban Design Reference Manual, East Baton Rouge Parish
On the other hand design standards that are written clearly, based on measurements
that can be easily calculated on a drawing of a proposed project, tend to be effective for
multiple reasons. First, these standards tend to be more defensible legally. Second,
they offer developers more certainty about the effect of standards. Often the uncertainty
about these effects becomes more problematic to developers than the actual reality of
meeting the requirements. Finally, objective standards are relatively efficient to
administer, both in time and resource. Hence, the manual has spelt out urban standards
that ought to be followed in each of the urban design levels discussed above.
16
Table 2: Urban Design Standards set for the four levels of urban design in East Baton Rouge Parish
Urban Design Urban Design Levels

No Standard
Level one Level Two Level Three Level Four
Category
1 Buildings, Building massing and Require primary Orient windows, entrances Use architectural elements such as
Setback, fenestration shall be building entries to face atriums, grand entries and large
Orientation, divided into heights and the street. If the ground-level windows to reveal
Access and sizes that relate to human doorway does not face important interior spaces and
Fenestration scale. the street, a clearly activities.
Reuse, rehabilitate, and marked and well- Ensure that buildings which are three
• Intent: restore buildings and/or maintained path should stories or more have a distinct “base”
Establish a building elements. connect the entry to the at the ground level with details such
human scale Ensure buildings have a sidewalk. and balconies to areas of as canopies, bays, overhangs, cornice
of clearly identifiable principal Ensure that ground- interest. lines and/or decorative concrete.
development entry. level, street-oriented Develop walls within public Design buildings to protect existing
and ensure building façades have view with windows and views of
that buildings transparent windows architectural relief. the
relate to the between an average of Consider using the building Mississippi
desired 2 feet and 10 feet setback area for seating. River.
character of above grade. Buildings Break up blank wall, longer Develop
their setting. should achieve a than 30 feet using two or buildings
minimum ground floor more of the following: that
Develop visual and transparency of 30- promote
vegetation, such as trees,
physical connections into 40%. permanence and express skilled
shrubs, groundcover and/
buildings’ active interior
or vines, adjacent to the craftsmanship.
spaces from adjacent
wall surface; artwork, such Preserve the character of historic
sidewalks.
as sculpture, mural or buildings when modifying building
trellis/vine panels; seating exteriors; develop vertical and
area with unique paving. horizontal additions that are
compatible with the existing building.
17
2 Sidewalks Encourage exterior lighting Provide covered transit Provide safe, comfortable Prioritize opportunities to
and of building entrances. stops with seating. places where people can create physical and visual
Pedestrian Incorporate building Extend curbs and stop, view, socialize and rest. contact with the river.
Realm equipment, mechanical sidewalks at
exhaust routing systems, intersections to reduce
• Intent: and/or service areas in a long pedestrian
Enhance the manner that does not crossings, while
pedestrian detract from the pedestrian accommodating truck
experience environment. turning radii.
and Provide barrier-free access
contribute to by all users.
a vibrant Provide wide, highly visible
Incorporate seating
streetscape crosswalks.
opportunities in the design of
Incorporate pedestrian
planters and/ or low walls.
Encourage path level

lighting and down cast
lighting to reduce light
pollution.
refuge islands to reduce

crossing distances across
four or more travel lanes.
Include a vegetated buffer
between sidewalks and
roadways.
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3 Parking Provide clearly Ensure parking lots provide Locate parking on-street, Design parking
defined sidewalks a sense of edge along the behind buildings, or within structure levels to
• Intent: Make surrounding and streets with vegetation, a parking structures. In limited resemble typical
parking through parking lots. compatible fence or low situations, if site conditions building floors.
attractive and Reduce the visual masonry wall located result in parking located in
convenient. impact of larger adjacent to the sidewalk. front of buildings, only one
parking lots with Encourage on-street parking lane of surface parking
landscaping and between the building and the
frequent breaks in the street should be allowed.
continuous rows of Share parking with
parking. neighbouring uses.
Create cross
easements to increase
access to adjacent
uses. wherever feasible. Parked
cars are very effective at
separating pedestrians from
vehicular traffic as well as
maintaining a human scale
within the right-of way.
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4 Signs Reduce visual clutter Ensure that exterior Encourage the use of Reinforce local character
• Intent: by ensuring that free building signs are hanging signs and other with lighting and iconic
Make signs standing signs at the visually compatible in pedestrian oriented signs. signs that are creative, yet
attractive, same scale as size, scale, proportion, compatible with the
informative buildings. colour and materials buildings and district are
and with the architectural encouraged.
appropriate character of the
ly scaled. building and setting.
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5 Weather Orient outdoor areas to Provide awnings Incorporate Encourage broad awnings on buildings
Protection take advantage of the sun or other means of creative adjacent to transit stops and street
• Intent: and breeze. weather protection screening corners where people wait for traffic
Foster a at the sidewalk- techniques. lights.
comfortabl level of buildings Ensure that Provide adequate weather protection
e, year- to mitigate the awnings and over retail store fronts and display
round effects of sunlight, canopies windows to reduce glare, encourage
pedestrian glare, wind, and enhance the browsing and casual viewing of
environme rain. character defining merchandise by pedestrian passers-
nt. features of by.
buildings.
21
6 Landscaping Plant native street trees Incorporate plants and small Encourage raised planters. Implement a tree
• Intent: into the public right-of- trees adjacent to outdoor Planters can create a sense planting and
Protect way wherever feasible. seating areas. of protection from landscaping plan for
existing Seek to infiltrate storm automobile traffic, in addition high priority corridors
trees and water within parking lots to being attractive. and districts.
contribute through use of planted Plant trees in
to the infiltration basins and conjunction with
creation of landscaped areas. transit and
a more Require new surface streetscape
verdant improvements.
Baton Prioritize
Rouge. maintenance and
care of heritage
trees.
parking lots to achieve

40%-60% tree
canopy coverage,
calculated by measuring
the area that the tree
canopy will cover at
maturity.
Source:Urban Design Reference Manual, East Baton Rouge Parish, 2012
22
Elements of Urban Design in East Baton Rouge Parish

• Signage
When choosing a sign one must consider
several aspects such as the desired size,
type and placement of a sign. The first
question that you should ask is how much
space do you have to construct a sign? If
you have limited space you should
consider constructing a wall, canopy or
awning sign. If the site is large enough to
construct a monument sign you should do
so in addition to wall, canopy or awning
signs.
Architecturally integrate all signs with their
surroundings in terms of size, shape,
colour, texture and lighting so that they are
complementary to the overall design of the
building and are not in visual competition
with other signs in the area.
• Lighting
Lighting is an important element in Urban
Design. When considering a lighting
design, one must take into account the
type of light needed for the specific
purpose of the site. Is the light designed to
enhance security to the property, provide
ambiance, aid drivers by increasing
visibility on roadways, or used simply to
illuminate a sign?
• Parking
Parking is an essential element in regards
to urban design and traffic circulation. A
parking plan should be developed for each
site prior to development. The type and
number of parking spaces should reflect
the desired uses of each site. Landscaping
of parking areas is also recommended to provide shade, enhance the beauty of a site,
23
and allow for a reduction in storm-water runoff. Parking structures are generally
constructed using asphalt or concrete, but the East Baton Rouge City-Parish Planning
Commission suggests the use of alternative and porous pavement materials whenever
feasible.
• Landscaping
The enhancement of an area’s aesthetic
beauty is directly related to that area’s
landscaping. All efforts should be made to
enrich the visual landscape of Baton Rouge.
Each parcel of land should be landscaped
thereby reinforcing the area’s sense of
place. Not only does landscaping add to the
visual appeal and contiguity of a site, it also
performs important and invaluable function
relating to the reduction of pollutants and
Storm water treatment.
• Service Areas
When considering the placement of service
areas one should remember the old maxim,
“out of sight, out of mind.” Service areas
should be oriented towards the rear of the
building to minimize visual eyesores. In
addition service areas should be screened
from public view, and the best way to do this
is to build a solid fence around the service
area in the same style as the building to
which the service area is designated.
• Fencing
It is to everyone’s advantage to construct,
and maintain good solid fences between two
abutting properties, especially when the
abutting properties are not under the same
zoning classification. Chain-link and barbed-
wire fences are discouraged as building
materials in many areas of Baton Rouge.
Wood and masonry fences are preferred.
24
• Building Materials
Façade treatment and the architectural detail of buildings contribute significantly to the
way a building ‘reads’ from the street and to the character and continuity of the
streetscape. The composition and detailing of the building façade also has an impact on
the apparent bulk and scale of a building. It is important when considering the design of
new development that the predominant patterns, compositions and articulation of
façades reinforces the character and continuity of the streetscape. This does not mean
replicating the appearance of buildings. Contemporary design solutions based on sound
design principles, which reinforce and make reference to the underlying elements that
create the character of the area are encouraged.
Design consideration is to be given to the underlying building materials that contribute to
the character of a building. Such things include roof shape, pitch and overhangs; entry
porches, verandas, balconies and terraces; materials, finishes, fixtures, patterns,
fenestrations, colours and detailing; the location and proportion of windows and doors.
• Building Articulation
Building articulation refers to the three dimensional modelling of a building and its
surfaces, giving emphasis to architectural elements (windows, balconies, porches,
entries, etc.) that create a complementary pattern or rhythm, dividing large buildings into
smaller identifiable pieces.
Building articulation establishes the building’s street address, its response to the local
context and environmental conditions and the degree of continuity between indoor and
outdoor rooms. Use existing lot structure to influence the design of building articulation
when development on amalgamated sites is required to respond to the existing or
prevalent lot structure.
• Transportation
When planning a new development one should make transportation a foremost
concern. You should incorporate into your development a sidewalk system with
walkways with large enough surface area to allow at least two people to walk side by
side. Attention should also be given to cyclists. You should provide an adequate number
of bicycle parking spaces as well as bicycle racks which are in plain sight and easily
accessible to all.
Public transit should also be incorporated into development plans with new bus shelters
and stops. Public transportation decreases the number of vehicles on the road, thus
reducing traffic and emissions, as well as providing those without vehicles a means to
travel, shop and go to work.
25
2.2.3 England: Southampton City Centre Urban Design Strategy
Vision and Aspiration of Urban Design Strategy of Southampton

Strategic Vision
The Southampton city centre urban design strategy has been prepared in March 2001
and set the vision for the future development of the city for the next 20-50 years. The
strategy set out the vision that Southampton will grow to become the leading city in the
south of England - with a distinctly separate city centre profile from other competing
centres in the south east and south coast. The document further discussed that the city
will be very much an intelligent city - built on a strongly networked community which
learns from and adopts good practice in contemporary urban living. Furthermore, the
city will be built upon a strong economic base which has embraced the innovative and
growing sectors of the national and international economy.
Urban design strategy further elaborated that the city will be continually renewing its
economy to provide for a wide range of enterprises of all sizes, ensuring sustainable
prosperity for a wide cross section of the community.
Components of the vision:
• City centre of scale and distinction
o Expansion
o Scale and tall buildings
• Maritime city
• Accessible city
• Walk-able city
• Quality of Life Centre for all
Urban Design Frameworks of Southampton

The Southampton urban design guideline has set out urban design structures to ensure
that there is a logical sequence in the progression of the design guidance from the large
scale vision for the city through to the individual arrangement for prominent sites.
Accordingly, the urban design framework for the city has been prepared on three
distinct levels:
• Level One - the city centre framework
• Level Two - character area guidance, at a finer structural grain.
26
• Level Three - keynote projects, defining specific aspirations and concepts for key
development sites and spaces
The City Centre Urban Design Framework illustrates the first of these three tiers and
should be considered to represent a 15-20 year time frame. More focused guidance for
the character areas, level two, will be seen to guide development over 10-15 years
whilst specific design frameworks that have been prepared for the keynote projects,
level three, should ideally be implemented within 10 years.
Urban Design Themes Developed for Southampton City Centre

THEME 1: Enhancing Arrival and Movement through the City
Key movement routes should assist the arrival experience and present a clear structure
for negotiating routes around and to key locations such as key attractions, car parks and
public transport termini within the city centre.
Movement patterns should be directed towards creating:
• Simple two tier types of routes - city edge circulation
• City centre circulation
• Routes developed to be sympathetic to the predominant type of traffic they will be
carrying i.e. pedestrian, vehicular, or public transport
THEME 2: Reconnecting the Waterfront

The role of the sea and rivers in Southampton’s history, culture and economic prosperity
has been critical. Yet the relationship between the city and water has become
dislocated. The current heart of the city is distant from the water, and little of the
waterfront area is accessible to the public. Some views towards the water remain,
particularly from the old town which provide windows to the past and a hint of future
relationships and attractions that might be possible. The views of the docks are also
important, providing evidence of both the city’s economic role and industrial heritage.
THEME 3: Enriching the Public Realm
High quality public realm has the potential to add value to its surrounding development
by virtue of the views, openness and general amenity they provide. This ‘added value’
from such an important townscape relationship is underplayed in Southampton’s parks,
where buildings turn their backs on the space.
THEME 4: Creating Landmarks
Landmarks are an important component of a city’s identity and provide a means of
recognition, orientation and navigation. This is sometimes referred to as its ‘legibility’ –
27
how the city is read by people on the ground.

Southampton’s city centre has constrained legibility, with only a few distinctive
landmarks or buildings/structures that help the reading of the centre as one moves
through it, although the parks play a key role in this.
Appropriate locations for new landmark features or buildings could include:
• Main points of arrival or orientation.
• Areas which generate or contribute to street level activity
• Sites which assist the visual framework of the city (e.g. main routes and skyline
impacts)
• Potential high value locations, such as the waterfront and overlooking the parks.
• Locations which provide or reinforce local character and identity.
2.2.4 India: Le Corbusier’s Chandigarh.
Chandigarh is the only of Le Corbusier’s large scale urban planning schemes that were
executed. Hans writes that when the province of Punjab was divided (in 1947), the part
that now belongs to India needed a new capital, as the previous capital Lahore was
situated in the Pakistani part. So a new city was planned, and Le Corbusier was
commissioned for this job.
Le Corbusier produced a plan for Chandigarh that conformed to the modern city
planning principles of Congrès International d'ArchitectureModerne(CIAM) in terms of
division of urban functions, , and pedestrian networks which is the vision of the city.
Urban Design Elements Provided By Le Corbusier – Chandigarh City

Streets: The city of Chandigarh in India is well known for its hierarchy of roads which
facilitate mobility with the city.
Pedestrian Networks: the hierarchical provision of roads in the city has also provided
well accessible pedestrian networks so that the residents can reach their place of living,
working and leisure within walking distances.
Transportation: The road networks of the city also facilitates movement of vehicles and
bicycle
Blocks: The whole city has been divided into rectangular patterns, forming identically
organized sectors, each sector measures 800 m x 1200 m. With an anthropomorphic
plan form Le Corbusier retained many of the seminal ideas of Mayer and Nowicki, like
the basic framework of the master plan and its components: The Capitol, City Centre,
28
besides the University, Industrial area, and linear parkland. Even the neighbourhood
unit was retained as the basic module of planning. However, the curving outline of
Mayer and Nowicki was reorganized into a mesh of rectangles, and the buildings were
characterized by an "honesty of materials".
Facades: Exposed brick and boulder stone masonry in its rough form produced
unfinished concrete surfaces, in geometrical structures. This became the architectural
form characteristic of Chandigarh, set amidst landscaped gardens and parks.
Focal Areas: Le Corbusier had located three basic monumental building at the centre
of the city. The buildings include the Assembly, the secretariat and the high court. The
high court was the most prominent and served as a land mark for the city of
Chandigarh.
While CIAM urban design and planning came under much scrutiny in later years
2.2.5 South Africa: Century City Urban Design Framework
Century City is a large mixed-use development project situated in the North-West sector
of metropolitan Cape Town and within 10km of Cape Town central business district. The
development to date includes a regional shopping centre, award winning wetland and
corporate offices. Over 400 residential units have been built and 760 new units are
under construction. The urban design framework for the city had been prepared in 2005
with the following vision.
The vision for Century City is to:
• Achieve an integrated, mixed use development (work, play, shop and stay),
• Create a good image and “sense of place”,
• Provide a vibrant, rich experience for visitors and residents,
• Achieve enhanced real estate and investment potential.
Urban Design Rationale of Century City

The urban design framework focuses on the functional, form and environmental aspects
of the built environment, with the objective of achieving a composite form. In this, both
buildings and open spaces are parts of a larger “picture”. Their form and functional
relationships are more important than their individual characteristics.
Functional Aspects: Functional aspects pertain the practical purpose and the
structuring of the built environment components. The ways in which buildings and open
spaces “work” can either enable or inhibit the performance, live-ability and richness of
the urban environment.
29
Form Aspects: These involve the perceptual qualities (visual) of buildings and open
spaces. Buildings and other physical objects in the urban environment contain
messages that people perceive, interpret and respond to. The creation of responsive
environments and a “sense of place” is the foundation of good urban design.
Environmental Aspects: Temperature, sun penetration, wind and other elements of
nature, have a strong influence in people’s sense of comfort and well-being. Buildings
and open spaces must enhance positive environmental aspects and mitigate those that
have a negative impact (such as noise)
General Design Guidelines

The general design guidelines have been prepared with view of the public and private
environments which provide distinct characteristics to the city. Hence, the following
discussion is made in this regard.
Public Environment
The various elements of the public environment are discussed in this section, with
general design guidelines relating to each element.
• Century Boulevard
Century Boulevard is the primary element for functional and visual continuity in Century
City. All visitors and residents move through this urban corridor to arrive at or to leave
from their various destinations.
The Boulevard has the potential to become a prestigious address, adding value to the
adjacent land. But for this to occur specific design attention is required, both within the
road corridor and with private developments alongside the corridor.
• The Open Space System

The open space system is a major attraction and feature of the public environment.
People are naturally drawn to these spaces and move between them and the
Boulevard. Water is the common element in the Century City open space system.
Spaces that are related to water, have an intimate, tranquil character and should be free
of vehicles. They complement the activity of the Boulevard, offering places for passive
recreation.
Century City contains the following open spaces:
• Internal Streets
Internal streets subdivide the precincts into development blocks and have the important
role of providing public linkages between urban spaces and the various development
30
parcels. Most internal streets run perpendicular to Century Boulevard and connect the
Boulevard with the open space system. Internal streets accommodate vehicular traffic
but are pedestrian oriented and treated to encourage slow speed movement. The
buildings adjoining them have formed active edges and support street life at ground
level.
• Squares and Focal Places
Pedestrian activity in the public environment is naturally intensified at some points
(nodes) such as street intersections, entrances to precincts, entrances to buildings and
transport stops. Squares and other focal places are formed with the objective of giving
spatial dimension to these activities and generally, as gathering places for the public.
Squares and focal places are also created to perform other roles, such as to terminate
streets at the water’s edge, celebrate special events in the public realm, and as
forecourts of institutional and religious buildings.
Private Development
This section provides design guidelines for buildings in terms of basic compositional
elements and articulation of architectural volume. These elements provide functional
and formal relationships between buildings to achieve a composite urban form within
the precinct.
• Compositional Qualities of Architectural Volume
Sitting: It is stated on the urban design framework that buildings should be placed on
the street boundary within the development platform as specified in the precinct plan.
Building Types: The use of narrow building types (9 to 13 m or “two room-wide”) is
encouraged. Simple, rectilinear forms are preferred for the definition of the building
volume. A compact building form is supported, and narrower footprints with internal
spaces are preferred to large massive footprints.
Plan Form: As a general rule, plan forms should result in a combination of rectangular
shapes following the direction of the grid. Special forms however could be used as
exceptions provided they are sufficiently motivated in the context of the urban design
rationale.
The creation of an average building height with some elements of accentuation is an
important aspect of the composite form. Building heights affect the skyline and long
distance view of Century City. An average height of between five and seven storey is
initially promoted. Taller structures could be permitted in specifically demarcated
positions.
Roof Form: Individual roof forms create an overall skyline (composite form). Roofs
31
should be based on the combination of rectilinear panels. Shapes other than rectilinear
(domes for example) should be avoided in future as a general rule, because it is
considered that there are enough domes at Century City. However, exceptions could be
permitted in specifically demarcated places provided they are limited in size, well-
motivated and consistent with the urban design rationale.
• Building Articulation
Large buildings should be treated as aggregates of smaller components to achieve a
human scale. Therefore, monumental scale buildings should be avoided. Buildings
should be articulated as described below.
Horizontal Articulation:This fragments a building façade into smaller horizontal
components: base, body and top. The base is lower floor(s) of the building, where an
active, functional and visual interface with the public environment should be ensured.
The top section is where the building meets the sky and this culmination should be
expressed. The composite form of rooftops creates an important long distance view or
skyline.
Vertical Articulation:Vertical articulation is the fragmentation of long building facades
into smaller panels so that monotonous perspectives are avoided.
Solid/Void Relationship: This describes the amount of solid building volume in relation
to other major openings in the building mass (windows and doors excluded). This ratio
describes how compact a building is and therefore its performance as an urban space
enclosure.
Buildings facing and enclosing the Boulevard and the Grand Canal should be more
compact that those enclosing softer spaces such as the wetland. This is described in
more detail in the section dealing with edge responses.
Depth Articulation: The building volume can also be articulated by means of recesses
and projections. These create shadow areas and form accentuations to the built form.
Recesses and projections can be used for horizontal and vertical articulation of the
building volume. Examples of recesses and projections are: building line setbacks,
entrance gateways, colonnaded sidewalks, balconies and terraces, cornices.
2.2.6 Lessons Learnt
The study on urban design manual has evaluated the urban design frameworks and
strategies of Louisiana Southampton, Chandigarh and Century cities in USA, England,
India and South Africa respectively. The experiences from these four countries with
regard to urban design has a paramount significance in tracing their best practices and
contextually implement them. Thus, the following lessons are drawn from the
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experiences of the two countries.

• The lesson learnt from Baton Rouge city is that the preparation an urban design
shall be guided by well-crafted core values which shall be supplemented by well-
defined vision statement which show the future goal of an urban area. The vision
shall indicate the commitment and aspiration from community members, political
leaders, professionals, communities and investors among others.
• In addition it has been pointed out that on the manual that the preparation of urban
design manual shall be based on the setting of guiding principles which bind and
forces professional to engage themselves and act as per the provisions set out on
the manual.
• The practices of urban design in Baton Rouge also indicated to define the urban
design frameworks or levels so as put the urban design standards to be practiced in
a specific portion an urban area. The basic importance of setting standards is to
allow the proper deployment of urban design activities to match with the prevailing
urban spatial development of an urban area or some parts within it.
• The good part in the preparation of urban design manual is to incorporate the urban
design elements that need to be considered at different urban design frameworks
/levels. The urban design frameworks to be deployed for inner part of an urban area
may differ with what is supposed to be implemented at the transition or green field
sites.
• The lessons to be drawn from the experiences of Southampton is that the urban
design for cities shall be carried out by undertaking divisions/sub division to create
urban design which respond to the existing urban context.
• The urban design strategy of Southampton also indicated the importance of defining
urban design these such as creating accessibility, reconnecting disconnected urban
areas, enrich public realm and land marks.
• The experience drawn from Le Corbusier's design in India is that the urban design in
the city ofChandigarh focuses on pedestrian networks, transportation, defined
blocks and facades for buildings where the city is characterized by the presence of
monumental building which create focal point in the city.
• The lessons drawn from the urban design case in South Africa, Century City is that
the setting up of design guidelines which focuses on private and public environment.
The urban design targets in the public environment dwells on Boulevard, open
spaces, squares and focal points. On the other hand the private environment
focuses urban design elements such as sitting of buildings, setting of building types
and their roof form and building articulation.
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2.3 Benchmarking Local Experiences
2.3.1 Urban Design Practices and Gaps in Ethiopia
The Office of Revision of Addis Ababa Master Plan /ORAAMP, 2002/ revealed that local
development plans prescribes the urban design principles of a given area. The office
further described that urban design as a tool to:
• Preserve historical and architecturally important houses and sites.
• Integrate the dominant features of a given site with the major functions of the centre
and systematic arrangement of mass transport terminals.
• Active participation of the community and other pertinent stakeholders for the actual
implementation of the proposals of the urban design activities.
• Urban design shall be prepared for the selected strategic investment areas.
On the other hand Urban Planning and Implementation manual of Ethiopia, stated that
urban design is one of the constituents of Local Development Plan/LDP/ preparation.
The manual further stated that an urban design plan consists of schemes for the
integration of social, economic and spatial aspects in urban development. It is usually
prepared for a distinct urban block; however, urban areas should be planned in an
integrated way so that the whole and the parts form a unified architecture. Urban design
aims to plan the city without designing individual buildings. Each block and each
neighbourhood should have an urban design plan prior to plan approval for the
development of projects. The most common aspects to be guided by an urban design
plan include:
• Functional mixes in a project,
• Townscape requirements (scale, mass, texture, materials and styles),
• Network of accesses and
• Modes of transport such as the mix of pedestrian, bicycle, animal-drawn carts, tram
and vehicular lanes.
Thus, it is imperative that the manual has showed significant deviations from the
ORAAMP practices since it has incorporated some detail aspects of urban design
elements which constituents the important issues in the preparation an urban design for
a given urban area or portion of an urban area.
34
The existing urban design practices in major cities of Ethiopia has been presented as
follows with respect to the aforementioned aspects of urban design plans. The cities
considered for this study included Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, and Dire Dawa.
Addis Ababa: Around National Theatre

One of old settlements and urbancentres in Addis Ababa is National Theatre area. It is
noticeable that Addis Ababa had a well-planned Central Business District /CBD/ with
many attractive urban elements.
Figure 2: National Theatre Area

Source: Google Earth, 2016
The picture above revealed that one of the urban design element i.e. edges have well
been observed around National Theatre area due to the arrangement of building which
defined the blocks and street patterns of the site.
Urban Design Elements around National Theatre – Addis Ababa
35
• Wide Avenue (Churchill Street) with

landscape beauty: the street is dwelled
with streetscape elements such as trees,
pedestrian corridors, open spaces, raised
green areas, signs, street lighting, among
others.
• Islands with palm trees: the roundabout

and island near National Theatre area
covered with palm trees and other
ornamental trees that gave the site a
pleasant and attractiveness.
• Landmark: Lion statue: the basic

landmark of the site is the presence of lion
statue at the Northern part of the theatre
hall.
• Modern and old buildings remain intact
in harmoniously: recessed, color,
continuity, durable and adapted façade
etc.
• Arcades in both sides of the street
• Greens including indigenous trees: the
National Theatre area is known for the
plantation and existence of wide variety
trees which provided both shading and
aesthetic beauty to the area.
•
• Well integrated and naturally shaded parking: the

site particularly in front of the National Theatre
hall are reserved for car parking. The parking
area is endowed with appealing vegetation
covers.
36
• Pedestrian friendly environment: the pedestrian walkway around the site promote
walking supported by the shading provided by the trees with vast canopy.
• Signs: traffic signs and other relevant human scale signs have been placed
appropriately.
Bahir Dar: Central Business District /CBD/

The historical foundation of Bahir Dar City is associated with the establishment of
KidaneMiheret Church in the present site of St. Giorgis Church around the 14th century
(BahirDar University, 2012). Its fast development and transformation into a modern town
ship was made during the Italian occupation period of 1928-1933 since it was used as a
major military base for their expeditions in the region.
The latest master plan started in 1961 and design of the plan was completed and
disclosed in 1962. Between 1961 and 1995, the town was headed by a chartered body
of a municipality to ensure proper growth. Onwards, modern constructions, such as an
airport, army camps, administrative offices, residential and business establishments,
etc. were introduced. This marked the era of modern township development in Bahir
Dar.
Hence, the current urban elements in the city centre of Bahir Dar are the reflections of
the previous planning activities in the city. The CBD of the city is focused around St.
Giorgis Church where the components of urban design can be well observed. The
following are the basic urban design elements witnessed in Bahir Dar city.
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Figure 3: Bahir Dar City CBD, Source: Google earth image, 2016
Wide Street: the mobility within the city is

facilitated by the presence of wide streets.
The wide street in the city begins at the
Church and extend to the north and south part
of the city. Recently there are many
widerstreet in the city which do not constitute
the basic urban design elements.
Pedestrian friendly environment: the street

at the CBD of Bahir Dar are known for their
walk-ability and accessibility. The pedestrian
surface are covered by colour pavements
which enhance pedestrian movements.
Landmark: The prominent land mark of the
city has been set in the place during the
establishment of city in late 14th century i.e.
St. Giorgis Church.
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Islands with trees and greens: the

roundabout at St. Giorgis church and
street medians are planted with exotic
and indigenous trees and ground cover
planting. The raised street medians/
island/ and pedestrian walkways are
beautified by the plantation of a variety of
plant species which provided among
other shading, temperature regulation
and aesthetic significance to the CBD of
Bahir Dar.
Modern and harmonious buildings:
recessed, colour, continuity, durable and
adapted façade etc. The building has
created edges and defined blocks and
roads.
39
Dire Dawa
Dire Dawa, the fourth largest city, next to Adama and Mekelle, of Ethiopia with an
estimated population of 269,134 dwellers (CSA, 2012), is expected to have speedy
urban development both in its inner and peripheral parts. The city is recognized to be a
centre of trade and industry in East Ethiopia though the decline of the economic
activities has caused unemployment and worsened deepening poverty (Dire Dawa city
council, 2006). The city main centre is located in Kezira and Megala quarters.
Figure 4: Gezira plan of 1909, Dire Dawa City Administration
Hence, discussing the

urban design related
issues of Kezira would
be the perfect match
to the preparation of
urban design manual.
Kezira is located in
Kebele 03, central
part of Dire Dawa city.
It is located at the
historical and
business centre of
Dire Dawa and
bounded by the old
rail way station in the
North and North East
and by Dechatu River in the South and South East.
Kezira is the first urban centre in Ethiopia developed with a proper plan. Unlike most of
the city of Ethiopia, the centre of Dire Dawa has a planned pattern since the beginning
as can be seen from Gezira plan of 1909.
Block Edges: the urban morphology of Kezira is characterized by a grid pattern and
exceptional radial pattern in the centre. The other characterizing feature of Kezira is
similarity of its block sizes: mainly 70*60 meters and 70*110meters. These block
patterns are also replicated in the neighbouring areas and in other parts of the city.
Transportation and Accessibility: the grid pattern with some axis lines connecting
nodal points facilitate traffic movement and accessibility.
40
Landmark: there are no major land

marks that define and give identity
to Kezira. So the site is
characterized with low legibility due
to grid pattern and the similarity of
blocks.
Green road with old and beautiful
trees: the characterising features of
Kezira lies on the presence
ofshading trees along streets. The
trees are exotic and indegenous
species with stretched canopy
which covers about half part of the
street.
Interesting Plaza Square: this is
found in front of the old railway
terminal building and the existence
of the square is creating a sense of
place for social gathering and
meeting. It is an important
navigating urban element. There are interesting axial roads connecting the plaza to
different places radiating from the railway station. One of these radiating road is
connecting to the palace.
2.3.2 Existing gaps observed on urban design activities of Ethiopia's urban areas
The Ethiopian urban centres are not well equipped with urban design elements which
give visual identify to their places. The major gaps observed in the urban design of the
ix cities in Ethiopia differs from place to place and their year of establishment and
services in the previous years.
Thus, the major gaps identified include but not limited to the following.
• Ethiopian urban centres are known for their inorganic pattern of development which
do not define the block edges due to non-uniformity of building setbacks deployed in
the citation and construction of buildings. The problems is more aggravated by
frequent changes and amendments made on the building codes.
• The urban centres of Ethiopia are characterized by very narrow, lengthy, unpaved
and organic pattern with poor connectivity and networking. Hence, walking on such
41
streets is unthinkable because they are nor primarily constructed to create only
access rather than making them pedestrian friendly.
• The development of housing schemes do not go hand in hand with the provision of
roads. The wider the road the higher the building height is expected to be
constructed along such streets. However, the trends in this regard is quite different
so that we can trace high rise building placed on narrow roads and creating shadow
on other properties which degraded the sense of belongingness by communities.
Furthermore, the inconsistent building height regulations deployed and their
massing have affected the compatibility one to the other.
• Apart from the major regional urban which are, in relative terms provided with focal
points, the other urban centres are deprived of focal points so that no one can
recognize and name the visualize identity of the urban centres. Hence,
• Ethiopian urban centres are recognized with
• Lack of harmony and continuity in the design and placement of urban design
elements across urban centres in Ethiopia.
• There urban design practices in cities of Ethiopia are not well guided with
proper planning interventions and implementation.
• The existing urban design elements are the reflections of some historical or
religious establishments or events which are critically the land marks of the
urban centres which may or may not create a sense of belongingness by all
inhabitants of the urban centres.
• The inner cities are recognized with narrow roads which do not allow the
introduction of new urban design elements at a site level.
• The streets in our urban centres do not encourage walking and biking so that
they are not pedestrian oriented. The lack of proper planting has significantly
contributed to this end.
• The plantation of trees are carried out without prior consultation with the
concerned professionals on the ecological suitability of trees to beautify,
decorate and create sense of belongingness.
• The streets are covered with similar tree species with poor landscape
considerations.
• The urban design elements are not human scale so that they cannot create a
sense place for the community.
• Reluctance to contextualize the experiences of other countries to fit into the
situation in Ethiopian urban centres.
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2.4 Principles of Urban Design

“Planning, connecting, and financing cities now: priorities for city leaders”
Source: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development /IBRD/ – January 2013
Green cities: providing technical and financial expertise to help cities plan for low
carbon, climate resilient growth and to access the necessary financing, improve solid
waste management systems and address pollution and liveability challenges.
Inclusive cities: improving access to land, affordable housing, jobs and basic services,
economic opportunities and scaling up efforts to upgrade slums, enhance community
participation, and tackle urban poverty and social exclusion.
Resilient cities: strengthening cities’ multi-dimensional resilience and ability to cope
with shock and better manage climate risk, disaster risk, economic shocks and social
conflict.
Competitive cities, concept urbanization and growth: helping cities attract
investments and jobs by improving land markets, connectivity and regulation at the sub-
national level, create an enabling environment for business, and better leverage land
and real estate assets.
Strong city systems and urban governance: supporting the urban agenda through
strengthening land and housing markets, enhancing municipal finances and service
delivery, and increasing the capacity to carry out integrated territorial development
policies and land use planning.
Qualities of Resilient Systems
Source: City Resilience Framework - The Rockefeller Foundation | Arup
Reflective:Reflective systems are accepting of the inherent and ever-increasing
uncertainty and change in today’s world.
Robust:Robust systems include well-conceived, constructed and managed physical
assets, so that they can withstand the impacts of hazard events without significant
damage or loss of function.
Redundant Redundancy refers to spare capacity purposely created within systems so
that they can accommodate disruption, extreme pressures or surges in demand. It
includes diversity: the presence of multiple ways to achieve a given need or fulfil a
particular function
Flexible:Flexibility implies that systems can change, evolve and adapt in response to
changing circumstances. This may favour decentralised and modular approaches to
infrastructure or ecosystem management.
Resourceful:Resourcefulness implies that people and institutions are able to rapidly
find different ways to achieve their goals or meet their needs during a shock or when
under stress. This may include investing in capacity to anticipate future conditions, set
priorities, and respond, for example, by mobilising and coordinating wider human,
financial and physical resources. under severely constrained conditions
Inclusive:Inclusion emphasises the need for broad consultation and engagement of
communities, including the most vulnerable groups
Integrated:Integration and alignment between city systems promotes consistency in
decision-making and ensures that all investments are mutually supportive to a common
43
outcome.
Design Quality Criteria and Neighbourhood Guidelines

The World Bank’s four cities strategic benchmark, as well as the qualities of resilient systems
discussed above can be translated, albeit indirectly, into urban design quality criteria. This is
outlined here in the form of generic guidelines 3.
The urban design approach(s) is (are) guided by the following principles &
values:
1. Create places for people – INCLUSIVITY
For places to be well-used and well-loved, they must be safe, comfortable, varied and
attractive. They also need to be distinctive, and offer a variety, choice and fun.
2. Enrich the existing – CONTEXTUALIZE, DISTINCTIVNESS
New development should enrich the qualities of existing urban places. This means
encouraging a distinctive response that arises from and complements its setting. This
applies at every scale – the region, the city, the town, the neighbourhood and the street.
(Please refer the classification and definitions of the scales of studies in the next
chapter)
3. Make connections - CONNECTIVITY
Places need to be easy to get to and be integrated physically and visually with their
surroundings. This requires attention to how to get around by foot, bicycle, public
transport and the car. Improve pedestrian amenity, security and convenience for users.
4. Work the natural landscape – ADAPTABILITY
Places that strike a balance between the natural and man-made environment and
utilize each site’s intrinsic resources – the climate, landform, landscape and ecology –
to maximize energy conservation and amenity.
5. Mix uses and forms – VARIETY
Stimulating, enjoyable and convenient places meet a variety of demands from the
widest possible range of users, amenities and social group. They also weave together
different building forms, uses, tenures and densities.
6. Plan the settlement potential – COMPACTNESS OR DENSFICATION
To enhance the efficiency of a place it is vital to look for either compact settlement or
densified one depending on the anticipated vision.
7. Design for change – FLEXIBILITY
New developments need to be flexible enough to respond to future changes in use,
lifestyle and demography. This means designing for energy and resource efficiency;
creating flexible in the use of property, public spaces and the service infrastructure and
introducing new approaches to transportation, traffic management and parking.
3
From the latter, a set of Applied Guidelines have been derived for each urban centre NDP as
carried out by the Consultant.
44
8. Conserve the history – CARE

Conserves and enhance places and buildings/elements/ activities of local heritage.
9. Manage the investment – PLAN AHEAD
For projects to be developable and well cared for they must be economically viable, well
managed and maintained. This means understanding the market considerations of
developers, ensuring long term commitment from the community and the local authority,
defining appropriate delivery mechanisms and seeing this as part of the design process.
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CHAPTER 3
CONTENTS AND PROCEDURES

FOR URBAN DESIGN PLANS
46
Contents and Procedures for Urban Design Plans

This chapter provides a general procedural framework to organize the urban design and
implementation process for comprehensive neighbourhood plans. In particular it focuses
on the involvement of the various stakeholders in each step of the process and assigns
responsibilities for smooth execution of the task. This chapter highlights the major steps
and directs by giving indications towards their application.
However, a too restrictive framework of steps, with excessive subdivision into subtasks,
is not recommended, in the interests of streamlining the planning and design process at
neighbourhood scale.
Activity 3.1 Preparatory Work
TASK 1. Initiation of the project and selection of UD project site
TASK 2. Prepare ToR, tender document and action plan
TASK 3. Establish Steering committee, technical advisory committee, stakeholders
Forum, etc.
Activity 3.2 Planning Urban Design
TASK 1. Data Collection and Compilation
TASK 2. Data Analysis and Interpretation / Assessment of the Existing Situation
TASK 3. Define / Verify the UD Program
TASK 4. The Urban Design
TASK 5. Define and/or Adapt Local Area Zoning and Regulation
TASK 6. Generate Institutional Proposals
TASK 7. Develop Implementation Strategies
TASK 8. Presentation and Approval of the UDP
Activity 3.3 Implementation
TASK 1. Prepare Project Implementation Plan
TASK 2. Promote the project
TASK 3. Provide Training
Activity 3.4 Monitoring
TASK 1. Carry out Performance Monitoring
TASK 2. Carry out Periodic Evaluation in Process Monitoring
TASK 3. Ensure Feedback
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3.1 Preparatory Work

This phase covers the main tasks required to be carried out by local public
administrations (LPA) prior to commencement of works on the UDPs either by the LPAs
own resources or through competitive tender. Its purpose is to ensure that:
• the UDP requirements and deliverables, as to be stated in the ToR, meet the LPAs
program for the design area, such main land use categories, number of housing
units, required amenities etc.
• The UDP requirements, as stated in the TOR, integrate the provisions of higher
order plans (NDP, Structure Plan etc.);
• Adequate resources are provided to carry out the UDP Project, by either own (as
part of NDP preparation) resources or outside consultants, and
• The UDP Project is adequately guided by a steering committee and follows an action
plan where the principal Project milestones have been set.
NB: Urban Design Plans will cover an area smaller than and/or included in a
Neighbourhood Development Plan.
• Where such an NDP exists as is in force, the consultant / design team will not be
required to repeat Data collection and compilation (Stage II. Planning and Urban
Design, Tasks 1 & 2), and will only Check that the UDP program, functional zoning,
and Planning regulation match the NDP requirements (Stage II. Planning and Urban
Design, Tasks 3 & 4).
• Where no NDP exists / is no longer in force, the consultant / design team will carry
out all Stage II. Planning and Urban Design tasks.
3.1.1 Major Tasks of the Preparatory Phase
The tasks of the preparatory phase are:

TASK 1. Initiation of the project and selection of UD project site
TASK 2. Prepare ToR, tender document and action plan
TASK 3. Establish Steering committee, technical advisory committee, stakeholders
Forum, etc.
48
TASK 1: Initiation of Project and Selection of Urban DesignProject Site.

Involving decision makers at the start of the project follows the same basic steps as for
other Local Area Planning (see LDP manual):
Activity 1.1. Initiate UDP and Site Selection
• Delineate the boundary (Area of the UDP site)
• Undertake mobilization towards UDP initiation
• Draft a first proposal(ToR outline, overall scope)
• Submit the initial proposal to a relevant municipal department
• Review the proposal and submit to higher relevant officials for consideration,
adaptation and agreement
Activity 1.2. Conduct Public Awareness Campaign
• Generate agendas from ongoing urban design planning initiatives or perceived major
unaddressed needs in the neighbourhood
• Conduct analysis on general development issues of the area in question
• Reach consensus with key stakeholders regarding the need for the UDP
• Generate minutes of understanding from preceding stakeholder forums
Activity 1.3. Conduct Rapid Assessment and set Local Development Agenda
• Review relevant planning documents, reports and studies and thereby generate the
key issues that call for planning response
• Undertake overall scan on existing situation of the UDP area
• Synthesize major issues coming out from preceding public forums, document review
and situation scanning
TASK 2: Prepare ToR, Tender Document and Action Plan

Activity 2.1. Prepare a ToR
In defining a ToR four major steps should be followed:
2.1.1 Translating the Key Issues / Requirements into Sustainable Design
Program Requirements
Program identification is one of the major steps in launching an urban design process.
Key issues should be thoroughly equated for a contextualized program output.
Thus, below are the key issues that need to be raised in the formulation of
contextualized program outline:
49
• Land Use: Considering all the existing and anticipated functions,

• Urban Fabric and building typology: This suggests the types of programs that fit the
existing morphology of the site. (e.g. - in a low rise residential urban fabric a high
rise corporate office is rarely considered).
• Character of Public open Space: This function is closely related with the day-to-day
activity of individuals that has become one of the major elements of programs of a
site.
2.1.2 Adapting Amenities Standards
Adapting existing urban design elements to the urban fabrics in relation to each
component of urban morphology, landscaping, signage, parking, land marks,
environmental considerations (in conjunction with street character).
2.1.3 Ensuring Proper Team Skills
Ensuring that the proposed composition of the design team fits the skills and
specialisations required to carry out the urban design tasks.
2.1.4 Ensuring Adequate Time Planning
Ensuring that adequate time is allotted to carry out the design tasks, including:
• Realistic time assessment per tasks
• Realistic assessment of the time needed by the TAC to evaluate proposals and time
• Realistic time assessment of time required for organizing participatory workshops
within the planning process.
With this a multidisciplinary project team (or teams) is then required to submit detailed
project proposals, following the framing of the project with the project execution plan.
The professional team who is responsible for the actual execution of the design will be
formed either through direct nomination of an institution or consultancy by the
committee or through a bidding process.
Activity 2.2. Prepare Tender Document
Determine the financial resources necessary to carry out the UDP Project. The LPA
must ensure that the proposed project financial envelope is sufficient to carry out the
design tasks. Then it will either opt to carry out the project via public tender or to
conduct the project by own force.
Option A. when tendering: Tender the UDP, evaluate proposals and award the contract
When the decision is to outsource the project, the subtasks are the same as those for
carrying out any LDP (see also LDP manual, 2006):
50
2.2A.1 Prepare a tender document

• Issue a Request for Proposal (RfP)
• Make sure that the proposals include technical and financial proposal.
2.2. A.2Process the tender and sign a contract agreement
• Attach TOR of the project
• Post the tender notice on accessible media to all potential bidders
• Open the tender in the presence of bidders/legal delegates
• Assign a specific technical team that evaluates the technical proposal
• Notify the bidding result by posting on appropriate notice board
• Sign a contract with the winning partner.
Option B. when Using the LPA’s Own Resources: Set up the Project Work-Team
When the decision is to carry out the project by own force, the subtasks are the same
as those for carrying out any LDP (see LDP manual,2006).
Activity 2.3. Establish the Project Office
• Issue legal notice/act for establishment of the project
• Approve the project structure and budget
• Assign Project Manager with core staff required for project kick-off.
Activity 2.4. Procure Project Logistics
• Arrange an appropriate working space/office
• Procure required equipment, machineries and office supplies
• Hire/assign the necessary project staff
Activity 2.5. Prepare an Action Plan
The ultimate purpose of preparing an action plan is to translate ToR of the UD Project
into detail activity plan and thereby enable pertinent actors to be aware of their
respective responsibilities by providing detail information regarding what action is to be
done when, by whom and what deliverables are expected at the end of each activity.
Detailing the Action Plan involves:
• Prepare detail operational plan that translates the ToR into detail activities
• Identify the critical milestones to be reached at different points in time
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• Detail out activities with corresponding time frame, responsible body and expected
output of the respective activity.
TASK 3: Set up the Urban Design Plan Project’s Steering Committee, Technical
Advisory Committee and Stakeholder Forum.
Activity 3.1. Organize Stakeholders

• Identify the major stakeholders
• Set up a Steering Committee
• Setup a Technical Advisory Committee
It is vital to form a steering committee that is composed of residents, local government,

businesses, institutions, community and special interest groups, etc. that have the
authority to bring the project to completion in its implementation stages and/or facilitate
such completion.
Carefully selecting a Project’s Steering Committee, on the above basis, is crucial. It is

also important to keep a manageable size to the Steering committee. Too large a
Committee may prove cumbersome in approving plans or agreeing on ways forward, at
key junctions in the project. Too small a committee may exclude key members of the
resident’s or business community and prove detrimental to project application.
A steering Committee can be small, restricted to resident’s representative or
spokesperson, local government representative (s), and technical experts, but may also
be significantly extended.
To note, some projects may require an extended Steering Committee, for instance:
• large size (area and population with respect to overall population of the settlement or
district),
• involving important investments (with respect to the local governments available
budget), and/or
• involving a variety of complex issues with multiple repercussions on stakeholders.
An extended steering committee is almost always required in historic-heritage areas, in

any large urban extension (over 2000 persons), in new industrial areas, and in urban
renewal-regeneration areas, as well as in any other situations calling for resettlement or
other important disruption to daily life, and community life.
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The Local Authories’ designated supervisor will determine the composition of the
Steering Committee, assisted by the design project’s Team Leader as required.
• The mission of the steering committee is to represent the public interest and to
provide direction to the planning team regarding policy matters and strategic
decisions, advice on conformity of project content and, ultimately, comment and
endorse finished products.
• Apart from reviewing the final draft of the plan, they participate in workshops; help
develop the plan’s goals, objectives and implementation strategies as well as shape
the approach.
• However, the project’s steering Committee should only convene at project major
milestones / decision turning points, e.g. definition of programme, of first design
principles, of draft design and at final finalization. They are not however to take up
the role of technical review.
For technical review, on most if not all Urban Design projects, which are of
neighbourhood scale, it is strongly recommended to handle daily and/or weekly issues
on UDPs by a Project standing Technical Advisory Committee of no more than 5
members including its chairman.
When, in some cases, additional expertise is required for this Technical Committee, it
can be requested on a short term basis (e.g. geotechnical, water management and
other engineering experts with a short input on specific aspects).
Activity 3.2. Develop the UDP Project’s ExecutionPlan

The project execution plan is developed by the Steering Committee, with support of the
projects TAC, and with involvement of project technical team (Consultant), after tender
has been awarded (Option A, above). The steering committee will prepare a Project
Execution Plan clearly stating:
1. the people involved in the project, names and contact addresses;

2. team inputs, responsibilities and authority-delegations;
3. the final terms of reference, objectives, scope of work and deliverables;
4. defined budgets and funding sources;
5. any procurement constraints, lines of communication and reporting mechanisms;
and
6. estimates of the program and review process for monitoring and control.
When a project is prepared by the local authorities’ own resources and team, the
Project Action Plan (see option B, above) should be sufficient and inclusive and takes
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the place of the Execution Plan.
3.1.2 Major Deliverables
The major deliverables are:

Deliverable 1. The Project TOR
Deliverable 2. The Project’s Tender Dossier – where tender is chosen
Deliverable 3. The Project Action Plan / Execution Plan
3.1.3 Responsible Body
An UDP can be initiated by both the public authority, or any other interested group or
stakeholder.
However, Initiation and authorization of the urban planning process, at neighbourhood
level, as for higher order plans, must formally be made by the Municipality, the Regional
Development and Planning Bureau or, in exceptional cases, the Federal Government.
The work on the preparatory phase is overseen by the staff of the initiating public
authority, though it may be carried out by third parties.
The LPA is in any case responsible for establishing the project ToR, setting up and
chairing the steering committee, organizing the work team (when drawing on own staff
to carry out planning), finalizing tender dossier (when procurement of services is by
public tender).
It is recommended that the LPA assign a task manager for the preparatory work. Ideally,
the task manager has been involved in both supervising and carrying out other urban
design and local area planning projects and (i) understands the procurement process,
where procurement through competitive tender is selected, or (ii) has experience in
directing and coordinating an urban design team.
3.1.4 Time Requirement
The preparatory phase shall be allocated with enough time in organizing steering
committee, Technical Committee, preparation of full-fledgedToR, tender document and
action plan. Duration estimate is between several weeks andtwo to three months, but
should not usually exceed the latter to avoid losing positive momentum. In all cases,
preparatory work should be adapted to the complexity of the design and the size of the
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settlement.
3.2 Urban Design Phase
3.2.1 Purpose of the Phase
The urban design phase involves the actual spatial planning and urban design work
required to arrive at the comprehensive UDP as per the ToR requirements developed
by the LPA in the preceding phase. Its purpose is to arrive at a statutory land use
planning document which:
• Is explicit enough in its land use requirements to allow planning permission to be
issued on its basis
• Is explicit enough in its building conditions requirements to allow building permits to
be issued based on compliance with the UDP
• Is coherent with respect to higher order plans covering the same area (NDP, urban
master plans and structure plans)
• Integrates the community concerns expressed within the design process in a
participatory manner
• Takes into account the existing capacity of local road infrastructure and utilities
• Integrates heritage buildings and historical landmarks as well as natural protected
areas
• Integrates natural risk requirements, such as flooded areas, as well as technological
risk, such as safety distances to hazardous installations or industries.
3.2.2 Major Tasks of the Planning Design Phase
The urban design process at local and neighbourhood scale involves eight main stages
or tasks.
TASK 1. Data Collection and Compilation
TASK 2. Data Analysis and Interpretation / Assessment of the Existing Situation
TASK 3. Define / Verify the UD Program
TASK 4. Define and/or Adapt Local Area Zoning and Regulation
TASK 5. The Urban Design
TASK 6. Generate Institutional Proposals
TASK 7. Develop Implementation Strategies
TASK 8. Presentation and Approval of the UDP
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The planning process includes the structured involvement of institutional actors, private
sector and civil society and residents.
Task 1 Data Collection and Compilation

The first task is the compilation of topographical and other secondary data required to
carry out the design, on the project site(Urban Design Area) carried out in parallel with
site survey in order to determine, in the subsequent task (assessment) the major issues
to be addressed in the project.
Option 1.A Full Data Collection

In principle, UD is prepared in areas where NDP exists. However, where no NDP exists
for the designated design area or where the NDP is no longer in force, the
consultant/designer will carry out the full data collection and compilation, along the
following steps:
Activity 1.1 Assemble project topographical base maps

Activity 1.2 Collect relevant data on land use
Activity 1.3 Collect data on roads and utilities
Activity 1.4 Collect relevant social and economic data
Activity 1.5 Assemble data on amenities and institutions
Activity 1.6 Assemble relevant legal data
Activity 1.7 Assemble relevant financial data
Activity 1.8 Compile data
Activity 1.1. Assemble project topographical base maps

The topographic base maps should be assembled, wherever possible, in both
topographic and GIS format, at scales specified in the ToR and compatible with project
area. Typically neighbourhood plans cover areas between 100 ha and 150 ha, and
should be represented at hardcopy scales between 1:1,000 and 1:5,000, with either
1:1,000 or 1:2,000 being the default scale.
Topographical base maps should include:
• Conventional representation of topographic contour lines, at 1.00 m, 10.00 m,
and for 1:1,000 scale may also include 0.50 m intervals
• Plot boundaries and the boundaries of the public domain
• Road right of ways, including, where possible, streets and sidewalks, ditches and
berm etc.
• Other land transport right of ways such as railways with berm,
• Building footprint
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• Hydrography (rivers, lakes, streams, wades, and where information is available,

wells and natural springs).
• In non-built areas, indications of land cover (marsh, forest, scrub land, grass land
etc.).
Wherever available, this information should be supplemented by:
• Cadastral code of plot
• Street names and street numbers (for buildings)
• Indication of existing building condition (good, fair, bad) based on standard
survey forms.
• Indication of construction system for buildings (e.g. steel structure, concrete post
and beam, brick masonry, wood, stabilized mud-brick, etc.), based on standard
survey forms to which these categories are added.
Activity 1.2. Collect relevant data on land use

Land use to be indicated on above base maps according to standard categories
(same as LDP categories).
Activity 1.3. Collect data on roads and utilities

• In addition to locating on the topographic map the road network and right of ways
(see above), the consultant/ design team will describe existing functions of roads
and indicate type of traffic. Where available, data on flow will be specified.
• Indicate / locate major utility lines linked to road corridors such as:
- Electric lines, manholes, transformers, public lighting etc.
- Telephone lines, cables, cabinets, manholes etc.
- Water lines, manholes, reservoirs etc. as well as drainage and / or
sewerage
- Indicate other major utilities (not linked to road corridors) such as high
tension power lines, pipelines, aqueducts etc.
• Collect data on ongoing and or plans infrastructure projects. Where relevant map
separately.
Activity 1.4 Collect relevant demographic, social and economic data

• When gathering demographic and social data both secondary sources and some
field survey may be required.
• To note that field survey may not be obligatory if an adequate level of knowledge
and information already exists on the neighbourhood, through previous recent
surveys and/or in higher order plans, especially NDPs, and the decision should
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be left to Local Public Authorities when drafting the ToR and Execution Plan /
Action Plan.
• When survey is so required, it should be carried out based on a survey plan and
standard questionnaire, which must be established beforehand, by consultant /
design team with the TAC, including survey objectives, required survey size and
the survey questions. Typically, basic surveys target one or several of the
following: household size and structure, household expenditure and revenues,
and living/housing conditions.
• it is recommended to use similar standard formats to those employed in NDP

projects for collecting and collating:
- demographic data, and
- social information.
• For key economic data, consultants will use or adapt NDPstandard format / or at
least the Consultant is required to:
- Locate MSMEs on map and
- Where relevant, make distinction between small manufacturing, retail,
restaurants, other commercial services to residents (e.g. barber shops,
automotive repair, medical and dentist cabinets, legal aid)etc.
- In industrial and manufacturing areas, finer distinctions should be mapped
such as between various services to industry (logistic services such as
transport and warehousing, legal services, financial services etc.) and
various industrial and manufacturing categories per specialization and/or
product.
Activity 1.5 Assemble data on amenities and institutions
• Undertake field survey and list institutions in the study area as per LDP manual
and standard formats.
Activity 1.6 Assemble relevant legal data
• Consult relevant legal institutions and or experts in the municipal legal
department as regards laws and regulations pertaining to the study area and
identify gaps
• List relevant legal documents as well as legislative bodies pertaining directly
(direct influence) on study area
• Organize as per LDP manual and standard forms.
Activity 1.7 Assemble relevant financial data
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• Identify major sources of finance for ongoing or recent projects in the project area
and immediate vicinity.
• Briefly list potential future sources of financing.
Activity 1.8 Compile data
• Data to be compiled systematically, per category, with listing of sources.
• It is recommended that the data collection be presented by either:
- mapped data (topography, land use building condition etc.)
- table data (additional key data on MSMEs or amenities our utilities
capacity
- brief descriptions and notes, on policy, legal framework, financial and/or
other relevant secondary sources quoted and summarized.
• It is further recommended that this data be presented in the Design reports’
appendix. The main body of the report should be a brief description of the
relevant data collected – with a justification of its direct need and usefulness for
the purposes of the design project, with references relegated to the Appendix.
• It is strongly recommended to limit required data, already in the ToR stage and
project execution plan, to the useful and necessary minimum, and not to
duplicate data collected in other recent projects and plans in the same area,
should these exist (such as NDPs) unless the LPA has identified significant gaps
which need to be filled in.
Option 1.B Summarized Compilation

Where an NDP exists for the designated design area the consultant / designer will only
summarize the existing data collection and compilation, with the steps being specified in
the ToR. It is recommended for the sake of efficiency, that the ToR drafted by the local
authority include, in this case, only the essential updating of topographic maps, land use
maps, social, demographic, economic, legal, institutional or financial data, and not a
duplication of NDP data collection and compilation.
Task 2 Assessment of the Existing Situation

This stage involves (i) analysis and interpretation of data leading to an assessment of
the existing situation on the site, as well as (ii)
an identification, in a participatory manner, of key planning and design issues to be
addressed by the design project.
Option 2A. Full Assessment

If the urban design area is without an existing NDP, and/or the NDP is no longer in
force, the designer/consultant will carry out in full the activities described below:
Activity 2.1 Socio-Demographic and Economic Assessment
2.1.1 Demographic and Social Characteristics
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2.1.2 Economic Potential
Activity 2.2 The Natural Conditions Assessment

2.2.1 Climatic conditions
2.2.2 Topography
2.2.3 Geology, Soils and Hydrology
2.2.4 Key Natural Features with Impact on Planning
Activity 2.3 Analysis of the Built Site

2.3.1 Land Use Assessment
2.3.2 Housing conditions
2.3.3 Infrastructure &Utilities
2.3.4 Public Amenities
2.4.5 Impact of ongoing Projects
Activity 2.4 Policy, Legal and Institutional Assessment

2.4.1 Assessment of Relevant Policy and Planning Documents
2.4.2 Assessment of legal, institutional and financial framework
Activity 2.5 Identification of Key Issues

2.5.1 SWOT Analysis
2.5.2 Make an inventory of problems / planning issues
2.5.3 Prioritize in a participatory manner

This assessment is not necessary in green-field sites (sites without permanent residents
or buildings).The purpose of the assessment is to assemble a profile of the population
and main social issues in the project area as well as an economic profile of the area, on
which to base projections of the future state.
2.1.1 Demographic and Social Characteristics

The social and demographic assessment seeks to determine specific problems and
needs resulting from the demographic structure, employment, household incomes and
outstanding social situations in the design area. The design team will:
• Identify major social and cultural networks in the area (Idir, Equb, Mahiber,
Youth, Women and Professional Associations etc.)
• Identify issues of crime and delinquency (beggary, prostitution, juvenile
delinquency etc.)
• Characterize family structure, household employment, and household revenues
& expenditures, where the latter data is available, and emphasize attention
issues (e.g. high incidence of single males – such as in new industrial towns,
high incidence of low income single mothers raising children etc.).
• where possible, quantify number of households living in poverty.
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2.1.2 Economic Potential

The economic assessment seeks to determine the economic profile and potential of the
area, based on existing economic activities, ongoing investments and plausible trends.
• Identify the major informal economic activities in the area
• Identify the major formal employers, economic fabric, in the area
• Characterize the employment gap and estimate the formal / informal employment
ratio.
• Identify ongoing investments (new factories, new services etc;) and estimate total
jobs created and employment generation in the area (if any).
• Conclude with main discernible trends in economic development (if any).
Activity 2.2 Natural Conditions Assessment

This assessment is required for all sites.
Its purpose is to determine the principal constraints posed by the natural site for a given
design. The design team will, based on available and previous data, briefly describe
constraints deriving from:
2.2.1 Climatic Conditions

Of principal interest are :
• dominant winds,
• rainfall,
• sunlight exposure, as well as
• Seasonal temperature variations.
All of the above should be taken into account in subsequent design. The design team
will briefly describe the above and comment on how they may be dealt with in the
design (e.g. wind barriers, shading of facades, thermal insulation , street and building
heights and orientation to provide shade, awnings porticoes etc.).
2.2.2 Topography
Identify topographic constraints to urbanization or site development, which will be
described with respect to the intended design (as described in the ToR). For instance,
very flat land, with low slope gradient (below 2%) is difficult to drain whereas slopes
over 8% require adapting road design, and slopes of over 30% are hard to build on, or
lead to increased costs of construction and infrastructure. It is recommended to produce
a slope gradient map superimposed on the topographic base map and identify non
buildable areas.
2.2.3 Soils, Geology, and Hydrology

• The design consultant will describe soil types on the site and will, if so be the
case, identify areas of particularly fertile soils which should not be urbanized or
remain in partial cultivation.
• The design consultant’s geologist or geotechnical expert will describe foundation

conditions on the site based on existing borehole data on the site or in the
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vicinity. Should this data not be available, the design teams expert will inform the
TAC and propose required measures to obtain such data.
• The design consultant’s geologist or geotechnical expert will describe landslide

risk, and where sufficient data is available, locate on a map the areas of landslide
risk. Typically, such risk has been already identified by the LPA via previous
studies, and their findings should be quoted. However, in areas of known risk
(landslides have been known to have occurred and/or there are signs of earlier
landslides) and in the absence of such earlier geological study, or if earlier study
is not considered trustworthy, the design team’s experts will propose required
measures to better determine such risk.In areas of known risk, where there are
no earlier studies and/or data is insufficient or not reliable, it is strongly
recommended the LPA propose a security buffer / no build zone in the interim.
• Similarly, the design team’s hydrologist will briefly describe local hydrography,
including lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, marshlands, temporary water courses
etc. The consultant will identify buffer areas (non-buildable areas on river banks
and lakeshores) including locating flood risk areas. The latter can be located
based on existing studies, where sufficient data is available. Where there is no
data or data is not considered trustworthy, the design team’s experts will propose
the required measures to better determine flood risk and locate flood risk areas.
In areas of known risk, where there are no earlier studies and/or data is
insufficient or not reliable, it is strongly recommended the LPA propose a security
buffer / no build zone in the interim.
2.2.4 Other Key Natural Features with Impact on Planning

• The seismic risk of the area will be specified, according to national norms and
standards. The consultant / designer will also specify if the area has been
subjected to major earthquakes in the past (leading to fatalities and widespread
property damage) and specify dates of such.
• The consultant, who has in the preceding stage identified and mapped land cover
will here and describe / justify areas which should not be built on. For instance, in
areas with a gradient and with high intensity rainfall (mm/minute and mm/ hour)
existing land cover such as grassland and/or scrubland and/or forest should be
maintained to reduce and/or prevent erosion and conserve watersheds.
• In addition, in urbanized areas, it is recommended to locate all trees with a trunk

diameter above 40 cm and ensure that these are not cut down in the course of
implementing the design.
Activity 2.3 Analysis of the Built-Site
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2.3.1 Land Use Assessment

Land use, which has been mapped in the data collection stage, will now be evaluated
as regards:
• Conformity with land use as planned in structure plan, basic plan, NDP etc.
• Major conflicting land uses in the area (e.g. tanneries or vary noisy workshops in
a residential area).
• Land use specialization and/or land use combinations which are considered
positive and should be retained or reinforced in the future plan (e.g. shopping
and commercial specializations, mixes of housing and professional services such
as legal offices, dentists and doctors’ offices etc).
• Key problems of open spaces and greenery will be identified.
2.3.2 Housing Conditions/Condition of Buildings

Housing conditions, for which data has been collected in the preceding stage, will now
be described as regards:
• Overcrowding
• Unsanitary, and/or un-serviced housing
• Major capacity gaps between available housing types and family size
State of repair / condition of buildings
2.3.3 Infrastructure and Utilities

The preceding data collection will be used to:
• Identify critical traffic congestion (bottlenecks) as well as areas with high
incidence of traffic accidents (e.g. dangerous curbs).
• Map the road hierarchy, including, where these exist, sidewalks, pedestrian
crossings, bicycle lanes, and map road surface materials and areas in disrepair
• Identify key problems of utilities networks (water, power, telephone etc.)
• Identify key problems of drainage lines and, where existing, sewerage
• Identify key problems of solid and liquid waste management
2.3.4 Public Amenities

Where required, the consultant will assess the:
• state of buildings,
• capacity deficit, and
• Location deficit of local public amenities.
Emphasis will be on describing gaps in neighbourhood health services, education
services, sports and recreational facilities and fresh produce markets. Needs for higher
order facilities will have been covered in preceding plans and need to be quoted only if
relevant to design in the area and located in the area.
2.3.5 Impact of Ongoing Projects

The consultant, who has in the preceding stage (data collection), briefly described major
ongoing projects on the site (buildings, infrastructure etc.) will now assess the impact of
these projects o the intended design and on the area as a whole (e.g. a new major road,
a sewage treatment plant, a new industry etc.).
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Activity 2.4 Policy, Legal, Institutional and Financial Assessment

2.4.1 Assessment of Relevant Policy and Planning Documents
The design team will briefly summarize the provisions of preceding planning documents
with direct impact on the study area (Structure plan or basic plan, NDP) and will assess
conformity of the existing situation to such documents. Where there have been
significant changes (approved or otherwise) rendering them obsolete or inapplicable this
will be specified.
2.4.2 Assessment of Legal, Institutional and Financial Framework

The analysis will follow the same points and formats as in the revised LDP manual.
Activity 2.5 Identify Key Issues

The purpose of this activity, which concludes the assessment stage of the project, is to
arrive at a prioritized set of problems and planning issues which much be addressed.
2.5.1 SWOT Analysis
SWOT analysis examines the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of a
given urban situation. This is described in both the revised LDP manual (2013) and
the revised Structure plan manual (2014) and will not be detailed here.
2.5.2Make an Inventory of Main Issues

Based on the preceding survey and/or focus group discussions and/or citizen’s forum
and/or key informant interviews the Design consultant / team will assemble an inventory
of key issues and submit to the STC and TAC for validation.
Steps for identifying planning issues are:
• Make a long list of all problems identified in the general assessment (‘activities
2.1 to 2.4 above).
• Discuss with stakeholders to verify whether these were indeed the principal
problems in the area, or whether others must be added, or whether some
problems must be redefined
• Substantiate identified problems with facts and figures wherever possible
• Compare, where data permits, with Federal, Regional State or Municipal
standards and identify most important discrepancies
• Cluster problems / planning issues by similarity.
2.5.3 Prioritize in a Participatory Manner

Prioritization should be carried out in a participatory manner, through stakeholder
interviews. The purpose of interviewsis to identify the area communities’ concerns with
a view to establishing priorities and guiding elements for the subsequent design.
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Four main methods are recommended to the design team in carrying out the
stakeholder interviews:
• Key informant interviews. These involve identifying a number of key informants or

resource persons within the community and carrying out qualitative interviews
with these resource persons. The qualitative interviews are to be coordinated
with project objectives. For example, in a design for a new industrial area,
respondents would be potential investors in the area, and the questionnaire
oriented towards determining their requirements in terms of sites and services
(capacity, standards etc.) for industrial location.
• Citizen’s / resident’s Forum or Forums. These are recommended in most

residential areas where an existing community is significantly impacted by
development. Organizing a residents forum at neighbourhood scale involves
announcing the holding of the Forum, its location and purpose at least 2 weeks in
advance by public bulletin board at the public local authority headquarters, as
well as through printed press and, where feasible, local radio or local television.
• Focus group discussions. These involve assembling one or several focus groups
to discuss specific issues on neighbourhood design, most notably public
services, utilities and amenities. Focus groups should be carefully assembled to
include both technical experts and managers of public services and utilities as
well as citizens, NGOs and, where relevant, the private sector.
• Prioritization by scoring, as described in revised LDP manual (2013). It is
recommended to carry out prioritization by scoring after having involved
community residents/ representatives in one or several of the previous three
methods.
Option 2B. Key Site Aspects and Summarized Assessment

If the Urban Design Area is within an Existing LDP area and the NDP is in force, the
designer / design Consultant will only carry out the following:
Update and summary only.
Activity 2.2 The Natural Conditions Assessment and Activity 2.3 Analysis of the Built Site
Only carry out a more detailed analysis of key site aspects.
Where the site is not previously built this will be only an analysis of micro topography
and land cover.
Where the site is built (such as necessary in renewal, infill etc.) the analysis will include
morphological characteristics of buildings, streets, and street furniture etc., organized as
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follows:
• The Existing Morphology
• Micro topography
• Building Characteristics
• Street Characteristics
• Street Furniture’s, Green and Open Spaces.
Activity 2.4 Policy, Legal and Institutional Assessment

Update and summary only.
Activity 2.5 Identification of Key Issues
Same as Option 2A (see above)
Task 3 Define / Verify the UD Program

This task involves the redefining and/or verifying the urban design program
requirements for the area, guided by TOR requirements, and informed by theNDP
program, where an NDP exists, by the preceding assessment (Task 2) and by best
practices on similar projects, nationally and internationally.
Activity 3.1 Confront NDP Program and UDP Program
Activity 3.2 Detail and Adapt UDP Program
Activity 3.3 Cite Best Practices
Activity 3.1 Confront NDP Program and UDP Program
Where an NDP exists, its program will be extracted for the UDP area and confronted
with the UDP program as defined in the ToR. Emphasis will be on identifying significant
differences in required capacities for utilities, amenities and services and in required
floor area ratios, public space requirements etc.
Activity 3.2 Detail and Adapt UDP Program
The UDP program will now be adapted, based on the findings of the preceding
assessment and stakeholder prioritization of issues.
• It should be presented as a qualitative and quantitative list and/or table of
accommodation requirements.
• Wherever possible standards and requirements should be linked to key planning
issues / needs, as generated in the assessment stage.
Activity 3.3 Cite Best Practices
Where useful, briefly summarize programmatic requirements for similar developments
worldwide (e.g. transit oriented development, industrial areas, new residential areas,
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urban renewal, historic district rehabilitation etc.).
Task 4 .The Urban Design

The understanding of the site’s characteristics, of the local community needs and of will
now be coupled with the preceding definition of overall program for the planning area to
define the basic design concept for the UD area.
Activity 4.1 Outline the Urban Design Proposal
4.1.1 Develop Basic concept
4.1.2 DevelopAlternative Scenarios
4.1.3 Detailthe Urban Design Standards and Criteria
4.1.4 Producea Socio Economic proposal
Activity 4.2 Generate Spatial, Physical and Environmental Proposals
4.2.1 Land Use
4.2.2. Street Pattern
4.2.3 Blocks Pattern and Buildings
4.2.4 Signage
4.2.5 Landscaping
4.2.6 Parking
4.2.7 Monuments
4.2.8 Environmental aspects
Activity 4.3 Validate with Steering Committee and TAC
Activity 4.1 Outline the Urban Design Proposal
4.1.1 Develop Basic Concept

The consultant / designer will develop a concept plan which:
• Shows schematic diagram of major zoning & functional land use at appropriate scale
(housing, manufacturing, logistics, administration and commercial etc.).
• Shows road hierarchy
• Indicates, where appropriate, public transport as well as cycle paths, pedestrian
crossings etc.
• Indicates, schematically, building typologies.
• Indicates major built up area and massing / volume of buildings
• Indicates major public spaces and places
• Shows main green area network and gives indication of landscaping concepts.
4.1.2 Develop Alternative Scenarios

Step 1.Develop shared vision for the UDP area
• Submit the Basic Design Concept to the STC or extended STC, preferably in
workshop format, and collect input and recommendations.
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• Reshape and concretize the vision for the UDP based on these comments from
relevant stakeholders.
• Adjust theUDP Basic Design Concept.
Step 2.Interpret the major findings into urban design planning issues
• Aggregate/integrate the major thematic urban design issues under broad category of
urban design elements;
• Develop a conceptual framework which integrates the major UDP components.
Step 3.Develop alternative conceptual frame

• Develop alternative spatial conceptual plan under different scenarios;
• Clearly articulate major components of the UDP in the conceptual plans
• Conduct jury on developed urban design concepts and scenarios and evaluate the
proposed alternatives against:
- Envisioned social, economic and physical developments as well as
aesthetics in the UDP area,
- Forecasts of urbanization cost and
- Foreseeable environmental impacts
• Develop alternative urban design plans consisting of all major components/elements
of UD.
• Prepare separate conceptual UDP by considering different scenario and evaluating
for components of the urban design plan.
• Evaluate alternatives prepared
• Discuss the alternatives with stakeholders
• Obtain stakeholders comments and decision on preferred alternative.
4.1.3 Detail the Urban Design Standards and Criteria
Step 1: Identify the development zones typology

• Identify the types /development zones/ of an urban area for urban design
intervention i.e.
- Inner cities /CBD/ identified on SP for urban renewal project
- Transitional zones identified on SP for urban upgrading
- Expansion areas where new developments will be established, etc.
• Select appropriate urban design standard categories for the identified development
intervention.
Step 2: Explicate lists of urban design elements to be incorporated in the UDP

vis-à-vis set standards
• Prepare planning and design program (qualitative & quantitative list of

accommodation) by referring the key urban design frameworks/principles generated
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from the preceding urban design plan processes;

• Link set standard categories with the development zones and scenarios identified in
activity one above;
• Compile and analyze the detailed quantitative and qualitative planning elements to
be taken into account in each of the UDP activities;
• Reorganize systematically the required elements (requirements) into groups
(clusters) and units to simplify the next planning and design processes;
• Make sure that harmony, compatibility and integrity exist among different UDP
components; and if need be, make necessary rectification accordingly;
Step 3: Define categories urban design standards to be considered at different

urban levels or development zones.
The urban design standards categories to be considered for each urban development
zones include but by no means limited to the following elements:
A. Categories of urban design elements for CBD/inner cities/

 Streets: Parking, roundabouts, signage and landmarks
• Wide streets with planted median and pedestrian walkways so as to ensure the
safety and comfort of pedestrians.
• Roundabout landscaped with greeneries and flowers and small advertisement
billboards.
• Appropriate traffic signage such as ‘Give way’, pedestrian pass and roundabout
signage shall be used to ease traffic flow and ensure safety of pedestrians.
• Ground supported signs such zebra lines and lined separating lanes are also placed.
• Handicapped signage shall also be used.
• On the roundabout a fountain which also has a sculpture kind of look is placed to
help people identify and recognize the area.
• On and off street parking shall be proposed.
 Blocks and buildings-

• The blocks can mostly be perimeter blocks with open space and parking provided
either in the middle or along the street.
• The buildings shall have facades with less reflection of the sun hence reducing heat
caused in inner cities.
• Glazed facades are recommended for building frontage in to the north direction only.
• In addition the height of the buildings respect the rules and regulations of the
Building heights in stated on SP and NDPs while also casting less shadows on other
buildings.
• Buildings are placed with a setback recommended on building regulation and create
continuity.
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 Environmental Aspects-
• The main street is asphalt while the walkways shall be pervious pavement that allow
infiltration.
• Green area shall be provided within each block.
• Trees are placed along the street with appropriate genus, species and family
proportions.
 Landscaping-
• The streets shall be provided with trees of different species along the length of the
street with adequate spacing.
• Raised planter, trash cans and street lighting are also need to be provided.
• The street curbs shall be made manageable to the handicapped by providing street
ramps. In addition parking space is located as well.
• The area shall also be provided with a taxi and bus station with all the appropriate
amenities such as shelter and green median separating it from the main street.
• The setbacks of the building can be used as spaces for cafes, window shopping
area and other uses where pedestrians can rest and enjoy the hustle and bustle of
the inner city.
• Building are arranged in a way that, it creates open space between them where it is
used as recreational spaces.
B. Categories of urban design elements for Transition Zones
 Street pattern: Signage and Landmark

• Street with median and walkways.
• Traffic light shall be used because at the intersection of four street.
• The shape of the buildings and the open space in front facing the intersection can be
landmark of the area distinguishing it from other places.
 Blocks and building-

• Building height to be determined as per the regulations set on NDP and SP for a
given area.
• Buildings shall be placed with the appropriate set back recommendations depicted
on NDP of the given area.
• Facade treatment shall have less reflection of the sun and glazing shall be allowed
for building whose frontage is faced the North direction only so as to avoid heat
effects in the area.
 Environmental Aspects-
• The main street is asphalt while the walkways can be pervious pavement that allow
infiltration.
• Green area is provided within each block.
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• Trees are placed along the street.
 Landscaping
• Small semicircular planters are used to plant trees and shrubs. And the distance
between two semicircular planters is used as an on street parking.
• Benches can be placed at a certain distance where the canopy of the trees serve as
shades.
C. Categories of urban design elements for Expansion areas

 Street pattern and signage
• Street with median and wide walkway.
• Traffic light is used on at the intersection of four street with 20 meter and above
widths.
 Blocks and building-

• Building height shall be made with due consideration of avoiding shadows on other
buildings found in front of and sideways particular along narrow road with 10 meter
below.
• Building set back shall be made as per the provisions on NDP.
 Landscaping-
• The streets shall be provided with trees of different species along the length of the
street.
• Raised planter, trash cans and street lighting are also provided with certain distance.
• The street curbs are made manageable to the handicapped by providing street
ramps. In addition parking space is located as well.
4.1.4 Produce Socio-economic proposals
Step 1: Determine economic proposals to fill the economic gaps

• Recommend potential main stay of the residents within the UD site
• Reflect the NDP proposals on potential household income and type of occupation
on UDP.
• Propose potential size and category of employment to be generated
• Propose major potential investments that can be attracted due to the UD.
• Recommend actions to promote MSEs
• Recommend how to fill the gaps in the informal businesses.
Step 2: Determine social fabrics proposals

• Recommend measures to minimize the ratio of unmarried/divorced persons
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• Recommend actions to solve problems of CBOs

• Recommend measures to minimize crimes
• Recommend measures to minimize beggary
• Recommend measures to minimize prostitution
• Recommend measures to minimize juvenile delinquency
• Recommend measures to minimize drug addiction
• Recommend measures to minimize sexual abuse and trafficking
• Recommend measures to minimize street life
• Recommend measures to minimize burglary, robbery and theft
Activity 4.2: Generate Spatial, Physical and Environmental Proposals
4.2.1 Land Use
Land uses will create urban environments that support a range of commercial activities,
housing, and employment opportunities and provide services to the surrounding
neighbourhoods and city residents. They are expected to intensify with transit oriented
development, and provide a compatible transition to surrounding neighbourhoods.
Thus, it imperative to:
• Consult the SP and/or NDP of the specific site to collect data on land use
proposals.
• Ensure that the land uses are compatible and connected to city wide or
neighbouring uses;
• Analyse zoning map prepared to identify the building height, plot size and
setback requirements.
• Validate that the land use support active transportation with appropriate
amenities and options for transportation modes.
• Achieve the desires of the community as expressed in the SP/NDPand other
policy documents;
• Use the following land use and urban design standard categories for
implementation.
Land use
No Urban design element Objectives
category
Commercial Image  Project positive, recognisable image for neighbourhood/town/city.
 Create safe, interesting and comfortable circulation routes for
Pedestrian Circulation pedestrians.
 Create an efficient vehicular circulation system to minimise
1 Vehicular Circulation negative impact of vehicles on pedestrians.
Parking  Provide adequate and conveniently accessible parking facilities.
Air Quality  Achieve acceptable air quality.
Streetscape  Maintain the vibrant streetscape character.
High density Scale  Optimise the size of the development to maximise the opportunities
2
residential areas available.
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 Minimise negative impact of development height on surrounding

Building Height areas.
 Create an efficient,
Pedestrian Circulation  Comfortable, safe and convenient pedestrian circulation system
throughout the neighbourhood.
 Create a non-intrusive vehicular circulation system with minimal

Vehicular Circulation impact on pedestrian circulation. Provide adequate and easily
accessible parking facilities for residents’ vehicles.
 Choose a suitable location for density residential blocks to minimise
Location the negative visual, noise and air quality impacts.
Neighbourhood and Community  Create self-contained neighbourhoods and communities to
encourage residents’ civic pride and sense of belonging.
Open space  Provide open space which is usable, accessible and valuable to
residents
Low density Identity  Create a neighbourhood identity and community spirit within the
residential areas development.
Pedestrian Circulation  Create a safe environment for pedestrians and children.
Vehicular Circulation  Minimise negative impacts of vehicular movement to ensure a safe,
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clean and pleasant environment for residents.
Ambience  Create an ambience to reinforce the relaxed rural life-style with
open space and landscaping.
Environmental Impact  Minimise negative impacts on surrounding natural environment
Industries areas Environmental Impact  Locate industry to ensure minimal negative impacts on
surroundings.
 Create an efficient layout for internal circulation to project a positive
Vehicular Circulation image of industrial area.
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Pedestrian Circulation  Provide safe and efficient pedestrian networks to and through an
industrial development.
Open Space  Maximise available and usable open space for workforce.
4.2.2. Street Pattern

Street network and mobility
• Consult the SP and/or NDP to identify the hierarchy of the street
• Determine the streetscape elements that can work best for the size (arterial,
collector, local and access) and location (commercial, residential, industrial,
etc) of the street.
Cross sections
• Show the urban design elements that are reflected on streets with appropriate
scale.
4.2.3 Blocks Pattern and Buildings

• Blocks configure streets and indicate preferred orientation and topography of UD
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site.
• Clear distinction between public fronts and private backs is needed.
• Encourage diversity in building heights in new low-rise developments to add
variety and interest to the suburban built form. Avoid stereotype or monotonous
developments.
• Where appropriate, adopt a coherent gradation in building height profile from the
high density core area to the fringe / low density areas.
• Buildings which front streets, squares and parks present their public face to the
outside world and give life to it.
• Continuous building line along a block edge are proffered:
- To provide good enclosure to street or square
- To generate active frontage with frequent door and windows animating the
public realms.
• Use continuous frontage as far as possible by adhering to a common realm.
• Encourage conservation of heritage, architectural, and culturally significant
buildings to enhance cultural and historical continuity in Hong Kong. Provide or
preserve suitable settings for heritage buildings.
Building design contributes to urban quality, sense of place and contextual fit through
the use of appropriate massing, scale, proportion, rhythm, architectural elements and
material. New buildings should be designed to reinforce the street edge, improve
streetscape appearance, be compatible with surrounding buildings and maintain a
human scale form.
• Suitable settings should be created for individual or clusters of heritage
buildings. Building heights should generally step down towards these heritage
buildings.
• Massing – Building mass refers to a building’s physical form, which includes
roofline, wall plane and rhythm. Buildings should respect surrounding building
forms, and maintain compatibility through various design techniques such as
building sep backs, terracing, roof line articulation, and architectural detailing
such as belt courses, cornices, fenestration and colour. Taller buildings should
be designed with a strongly defined base element, an articulated middle section
and articulated top section.
• Building Façades – Active ground floor facades are encouraged, and may
include increased window openings, canopies, projecting or artistic signage,
subtle wall projections and architectural details. All facades should be designed
to reduce the appearance of bulk, contribute to corridor themes or character,
screen mechanical equipment and contribute to interesting skylines. Similar
façade treatment is expected on side and rear elevations.
4.2.4 Signage
Building and site signage comes in many different shapes, sizes, materials and colours,
and has a direct impact on streetscape character and quality. All signage should be fully
integrated into the building and site design, and contribute to the pedestrian
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environment through appropriate illumination, materials and size. The following

guidelines apply to signage:
Streetscape – Building signage should be fully integrated into the façade design and
contribute to the building design. Ground signage should maintain a human scale form,
and include appropriate landscape materials.
Lighting – Directional lighting is preferred over backlit signs to minimize over lighting
and glare. Gooseneck lighting, hooded/directional spotlights and other decorative
fixtures are encouraged. Backlit fascia signs may be considered provided the fascia
board is a darker colour.
Preferred Sign Types – Appropriately scaled ground-supported signs, projecting signs,

and appropriately scaled fascia signs (such as channel text signs and box signs) and
awnings are encouraged.
• Fascia Signs – Box signs should generally be flat against the building façade,
and minimize projection from building walls. Minor projections may be considered
to accommodate mechanical requirements. Box signs should not extend across
the entire building façade unless they function as a cornice line to define the
base section. Corner sites should not have signage which extends across the
entire building façades or overwhelms the building. Multiple unit buildings should
have separate signage for each unit divided by building columns, pilasters or
other elements. Fascia signs should be integrated into the façade and not extend
past the roofline. All type of channel text signs are encouraged. Text lettering
may extend across the entire building façade. Gooseneck lighting is preferred.
• Ground Supported Signs - Smaller scale signs are encouraged (< 5 square
metres) and should not exceed a human scale (> 15 square metres). Signs
should include low ground cover and plant materials and contribute to
streetscape themes through similar style and materials.
• Window Signs – Glass etching and transparent frosting is preferred.
Discouraged Signs –Large, intensive signs designed for automobile traffic are
discouraged. This may include large back lit fascia signs with lighter tone fascia boards,
neon signs, and excessive opaque window signs. Building and site signage should be
designed primarily for pedestrians and contribute to the streetscape.
4.2.5 Landscaping
Landscaping is the aesthetic and functional treatment of the areas surrounding built
form, and has a direct impact on urban quality, walk-ability and streetscape appearance.
Landscape design is used to define space, complement building features, create
streetscape character and provide buffering. Improving the pedestrian environment will
require greater emphasis on scale, form, line, texture and colour. Landscape activities
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are provided below:
Streetscape – A pedestrian oriented streetscape shall be encouraged along all streets,

and should include coordinated streetscape elements or furniture, street trees, variety of
plant materials and urban landscape elements.
UrbanGreen -- Promote urban green, such as public spaces, street trees and planting
beds, along specific streets.
Grass Boulevards – Grass boulevards along residential frontages and historic areas
should be maintained, and supplemented with new street trees. Grass Boulevard should
be complemented with a soft landscape setback.
Urban Boulevards – Urban boulevards may be defined through special paving

patterns, street trees with structural soil and soft landscaping materials subject to
appropriate maintenance agreements.
Public Space – The public realm should include a variety of urban public spaces and
gateway features to contribute to an interesting and creative public realm. New public
spaces should be located on primary street frontages and be at grade with public
sidewalks. New public and semi-public spaces should include an appropriate
distribution of hard and soft landscape elements including trees, decorative light
fixtures, interactive elements and custom designed street furniture.
Private Realm – New development projects should provide an appropriate distribution

of hard and soft landscape materials that contribute to the pedestrian environment and
streetscape theme. A hard landscape treatment, with street trees, is encouraged for
commercial or mixed use projects. The landscape design should prohibit cars from
parking within landscaped setback zones. Lots with reduced setbacks may consider
paved surfaces with planters. A softer landscaping treatment with street trees is
preferred for large residential projects, commercial buildings abutting residential
properties or properties located in historic areas. Street edges may also be defined
through decorative fencing.
Buffering – Parking and utility areas will be buffered from the street through various
techniques including a 3 metre landscaped buffer, architectural screening walls or
decorative fences. Alternative fencing, such as vertical board on board fencing with
privacy lattice or decorative pillar fencing with landscaping is encouraged for projects
abutting stable residential neighbourhoods.
4.2.6 Parking
An urban built form is created when buildings are located close to the street and any
surface parking is provided in the side or rear yards. Off-street parking should be
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located in the interior side and rear yards, and on-street parking opportunities should be
explored during road construction projects. The following guidelines apply to parking:
Parking Requirements – Reduced parking standards should be considered, and

implemented through zoning initiatives, to encourage compact development and
support transit usage, particularly for multiple dwellings, mixed use buildings, and in
proximity to transit stations. Reduced parking standards should also be considered on a
site specific basis for development applications proposing car sharing programs or
commuter option programs such as corporate transit passes or shared parking
arrangements.
Screening – Parking areas will be screened from public view through landscaped
buffers, low architectural screen walls or decorative fencing. Decorative fencing with
limited landscaping is preferred on tight urban infill sights. Landscape islands and clear,
direct, pedestrian linkages will be required for larger surface parking areas.
Underground Parking – Underground parking is preferred for large, intensive

development projects.
On-street Parking – On-street parking opportunities should be explored during design

of road reconstruction projects. Curb extensions should be considered, and may contain
landscape features or streetscape elements.
4.2.7 Monuments
• Autonomous three dimensional decorative elements such; obelisk, fountains,
sculptures, which may serve as landmarks need to be identified and
incorporated in the UDP. The placement of such monuments shall be guided by
invisible hand of creative sensibly.
• Create landmarks at the civic / commercial centres or focal points where
appropriate.
4.2.8 Environmental aspects

• Retain and enhance the district character of specific localities. Consider
suitable height control, setbacks and tree preservation where appropriate.
• New developments should respond to the unique topographical and landscape
setting of an expansion area. View corridors / breezeways to mountain
backdrop or water body should be maintained.
• Provide high quality pavement surfaces such as patterned tiles, brick paving, or
stone finish. The provision of street furniture should complement the character
of the area or the adjacent developments. Avoid using standardised
specifications for designs and materials especially in business and tourist
areas.
• Roadside planting should be encouraged. Provide attractive hard and soft
landscaping to improve the quality of the street environment. Soften the hard
edges with landscaping (e.g. tree planting and shrub beds where appropriate).
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Activity 4.3 Validate design with Steering Committee and TAC

• The consultant / design team will present the above design proposals to both
steering committee and TAC.
• Recommendations will be taken into account in finalizing design.
Task 5 Define and/or Adapt Local Area Zoning and Regulation

This stage involves the definition and/or adaptation of the statutory land use plan and
zoning regulation for the design area.
Activity 5.1 Propose / Adapt Land Use Map
Activity 5.2 Propose / Adapt Zoning Regulation
Activity 5.3 Validate Regulation with Steering Committee and TAC
Option 5A.Draft Land Use and Zoning Regulation

Where a city structure plan / master plan or NDP do not provide a general urban
regulation, the consultant / designer will finalize the land use map and urban regulation
for the UDP area based on the preceding stages of own study, then validate with the
STC and TAC.
Activity 5.A.1 Propose Land Use Map
• The consultant / designer will propose land use map, following own design and
standard NDPnomenclature for land use categories. Where additional / more
detailed land uses are required, these should be introduced only as sub-categories
of existing land use.
Activity 5.A.2 Adapt Zoning Regulation
• The consultant designer proposes adaptations to the Zoning Regulation. Wherever
possible, the adaptations should follow the structure per Articles specified in Chapter
5 (see below).
Activity 5.A.3. Validate Regulation with Steering Committee and TAC
• Both land Use map and Zoning regulation require validation with TAC.
• Recommendations will be taken into account in finalizing land use map and zoning
regulation.
Option 5B. Update Existing Land Use and Zoning Regulation

Wherever a city structure plan / master plan or NDPprovide a general urban regulation,
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UDP area regulation is expected to adhere to it as well as, where required, detail it for
the study area,then validate with the STC and TAC.
NB.If the NDP Land Use map, and zoning regulation in force are considered sufficient
for granting planning certificate and building permission without adaptation, the planning
process may at this point jump directly to Institutional setup, Implementation planning
and approval (Tasks 6, 7 and 8 – see below) .
However, the more typical situation is that, within a broaderNeighbourhood
Development Plan area (10 ha to 150 ha), while the NDPzoning and regulation suffice
for granting most planning certificates and building permission, the local public
administration and/or investors may still feel the need to for special attention and more
design detail in the UDP designated area, and some changes to NDP approved land
use may be requested.
When such is the case, the consultant / designer’s next task is to critically analyse the
eventual departures from NDP zoning and regulation originating with the LPA and/or
investors for the Urban Design Area. In this context, the following subtasks will be
carried out:
Activity 5.B.1 Adapt Land Use Map
• The NDP of a specific site shall be consulted for identifying the proposed areas for
UD.
• The consultant / designer will identify and assess the justification of changes in the
land use
Activity 5.B2 Adapt Zoning Regulation

• The consultant designer proposes adaptations to the Zoning Regulation. Wherever
possible, the adaptations should follow the structure specified in Chapter 5 (see
below).
Activity 5.B.3. Validate Regulation with Steering Committee and TAC
Same as Option 5A (see above)
Task 6: Generate Institutional Proposals

The consultant / design team will now propose the institutional plan for implementation,
monitoring and evaluation of the UDP.
Activity 6.1 Identify Optimal Scenario Of Institutional Options For Planning &
Designing
Activity 6.2 Prepare Institutional Plan
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Activity 6.1: Identify Optimal Scenario Of Institutional Options For Planning & Designing
• Identify the key factors that determine the type of responses to institutional
needs of implementing the proposed UDP;
• Select appropriate institutional strategies, standards and special considerations
for the identified development zones for the UDP area.
Activity 6.2: Prepare Institutional Plan
• Undertake proposal of the necessary institutions (existing and/or new) for the
implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the UDP;
• Assign institutions for the activities proposed in the UDP;
• Come up with proposals towards incorporating UDP implementation in
mandates of assigned institutions, and work out detail duties & responsibilities
to be assumed
• Develop appropriate public private partnership scenario for the UDP
implementation;
• Conduct internal jury on the UD and make the necessary rectification
accordingly;
Task 7. Develop Implementation Strategies

The penultimate task outlines specific implementation strategies for specific
development projects, including the financial cost, business plan, capacity building,
institutional arrangement and legal framework.
Activity 7.1 Describe Implementation Strategy Challenges

Activity 7.2 Define Key Assumptions for Implementation Strategy in the Plan
Area
7.2.1 Participation in the Design and Implementation of UDPs
7.2.2 Prioritization Development Phasing
7.2.3 Estimation of public investment Cost
7.2.4 Public Private Partnership for Developing UDPs
Activity 7.3 Define Pre-requisites for land acquisition and construction
Activity 7.4 Prepare Business Plan
7.4.1 Provide Background on Developer
7.4.2 Project Schedule and Phasing for Roads and Networks
7.4.3 Financial Parameters under Alternative 1, 2 etc.
7.4.4 Indicate Source of Financing
7.4.5 Short Appraisal of the Alternatives & final alternative.
Activity 7.1 Describe Implementation Strategy Challenges
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The UDP may face implementation challenges so as to make the proposals feasible
and respond to the existing problems of an area. Thus, it imperative to identify the
constraints of previous UD projects and identify the core problems so that they cannot
replicate for the new proposal.
Activity 7.2 Define Key Assumptions for Implementation Strategy in the Plan Area
7.2.1 Participation in the design and implementation of UDPs
Step 1: ensure the active participation of all pertinent stakeholders

• Ensure the active participation of the residents and business persons within the
UDP site through minutes of meeting held during data collection and verification
of concept and final DU plans
• Ensure that the relevant government institutions are adequately consulted and
gave room to reflect on the concept and final UD plan.
Step 2: ensure adequate technical skill and knowledge are available to implement
the proposals
• Ensure that existence man power to implement the UD proposals is in place.
• Ensure appropriate technologies are deployed to implement the UDP.
• Ensure the appropriate budget is allocated
7.2.2 Prioritization and Development Phasing

Step 1:Prioritise the Implementation of UD Proposals
• Identify project component which responds to the current urban design problem
of the stakeholders and arrange chronological order
• Ensure that the views of pertinent stakeholders are considered while prioritising
the project proposals.
Step 2: Project Phasing
• The entire project proposals may not be implemented at once. Thus, prepare
development phases that corresponds to the demand of the stakeholders. Thus,
endorse on the lists of development proposals which shall be implemented at the
time the UD is approved and those parts of the proposal which may require
extensive budget and are not the ultimate demand of the stakeholders.
• Allocate the required budget or search for funding possibilities to finance a
specific project phase.
7.2.3 Estimation of Public Investment Cost
• The development phasing will provide input for the total investment required to
implement the entire UD proposals.
• The investment costs shall be set out with the possibility proportion to covered by
the private developers and the public at large.
7.2.4 Public Private Partnership for Developing UDPs
• Ensure that the role of private sectors and the pubic are clearly set out and
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agreed up on during stakeholder meeting

• Identify possible areas of intervention for private sectors in the UD proposal
• Ensure that the private sector is committed towards implementing the UD
proposals and create a sense of belongingness to the proposals
Activity 7.3 Define Pre-requisites for land acquisition and construction
The implementation of urban design proposals require the identification of potential

private sector investment. Thus, the design shall identify the pre-requisites to be fulfilled
so as to acquire not only land but also to construct as per the UDP.
Activity 7.4 Prepare Business Plan
7.4.1 Provide Background on Developer

The successful implementation of UD proposals requires the active involvement of
private sectors and the commitment from public institutions. Thus, the commitment of
the private sector shall be adequately and appropriately reflected on the business plan
and the back ground data shall give information about the financial stance of the
developer (or developers) along with the intention to engage as per the UDP.
7.4.2 Project Schedule and Phasing for Roads and Networks

The developers shall accept and agree the terms and conditions set for development
phasing and prioritisation and act accordingly. The responsible government body shall
inform the developer on the schedule of project activities and the non-stringent but
sequential interventions/ development phasing/ for infrastructure development.
7.4.3 Financial Parameters under Alternative 1, 2 etc.
Step 1: Identify ways in which selected optimal scenario of financial option

can be followed in planning & designing financial proposals
• Identify existing local potentials towards financing of implementing proposed
UDP programs
• Come up with appropriate financial strategies, and special considerations for
financing identified developments in the UDP area.
• Come with feasible public private partnership in financing proposed UDP
programs.
Step 2: Prepare the required financial plan for implementation of the proposed
UDP
• Make rough estimate of development cost for basic public facilities in the UDP
area
• Prepare long term and short term financial plan for identified basic urban facilities
• Suggest innovative financing schemes for meeting long and short term financial
needs;
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• Forecast impact of the UDP on revenue generation (taxes and non-taxes)

• Come up with sound proposals cost-sharing among government and other
stakeholders (private companies, NGOs, CBOs and local community);
7.4.4 Indicate Source of Financing

The implementation of UD proposals require the deployment of finances which will be
obtained from different sources. Thus, the UD proposal shall indicate the possible
sources of finance to implement the proposals. Hence, the UD proposal shall identify
• Government’s direct capital budget to activities where necessary
• Cost recovery mechanisms to activities where necessary;
• Revolving fund mechanisms to activities where necessary;
• Matching fund mechanisms to activities where necessary;
• Cost sharing mechanisms to activities where necessary;
• Full or partial public contribution mechanisms where necessary;
• Soft Loan and credit where necessary;
• Financial donations, material and/or technical supports etc.
7.4.5 Short Appraisal of the Alternatives and Final Alternative

The various development alternatives presented shall be evaluated and appraised
based on the responses on the findings on financial parameters, plans and sources
indicated on 8.4.3 and 8.4.4 above.
Task 8 Presentation and Approval of the UDP

The object of this task is to:
Activity 8.1 Present the draft final UDP to the key stakeholders for final
appraisal
Activity 8.2 Undertake plan approval
Activity 8.1. Present the draft final UDP to the key stakeholders for final appraisal
8.1.1 In-house presentation

• Undertake in house consultation with technical advisory committee or UD staffs
on the entire proposals of the project before going to the final draft.
• Incorporate the comments provided during in house meeting to supplement the
final draft.
8.1.2 Stakeholders engagement

• Ensure the comments provided during in house discussion are valid and
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incorporated in the final draft before undertaking stakeholder meeting.

• Conduct extensive stakeholder engagement on the possible final draft of the UD
proposals and identify the core areas for final proposals that need to justified and
incorporated.
Activity 8.2 Undertake plan approval

• Ensure the incorporation of all valid comments of stakeholders in to the final plan
preparation.
• Ensure appropriate UD study report writing format has been followed along with
the presentation of drawings with appropriate scale and legibility.
3.3 Design Implementation
3.3.1 Purpose of the Implementation Phase
Implementation is the process of translating the UDP into practice. For UDPs
implementation stages are similar to those of translating any Local area Development
plan into practice.
The process should encourage the active participation of all sectors of the community
from the outset.
Interaction with LPA team members and local commitment to the process in the form of
financial support, in-kind services, or volunteer time create a sense of ownership in the
results thus helping to sustain the energy needed to implement proposals.
3.3.2 Major tasks of the Implementation Phase
To implement an urban design project it is necessary to consider three tasks:
TASK 1. Prepare Project Implementation Plan

TASK 2. Promote the project
TASK 3. Provide Training
Task 1 Prepare Project Implementation Plan (Action Plan)

The responsible body (either the local government or developer or in conjunction)
should develop its action plan for both its sole responsibilities and coordinating the
activities of the other actors.
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Preparing action plan will facilitate successful and efficient implementation and the
subsequent evaluation.
It is important to give priority for activities that are considered to be prerequisite for the
private or community development endeavours notably infrastructure development and
establishing enabling regulatory framework.
• Decide on the phasing of the main activities
• Indicate estimated cost of projects together with their potential sources
• Specify the responsible unit for specific tasks within the implementing body
• Set measurable targets for each activities
Task 2 Promote the Project
This is conducted to either create sufficient understanding of the project amongst the
end users and/or attracting possible funding for the project. To do this:
• Organize city wide and/or neighbourhood scale exhibition(s) to communicate and
transfer the idea
• Publish the various sector city plans in a reduced format and distribute to the
main stakeholders and the community at large
Task 3 Provide Training
It is mandatory to train the implementing body for the actual realization of the design. To
undergo this:
• Prepare training materials
• Identify the people to be trained; they can be from the local government and/or
stakeholders and/or inhabitants. It is vital to segregate the type of trainings from
group of individuals as their responsibilities vary (training delivered to a
individuals from the local government should be different from those given to
stakeholders given that the delivery is varying not the content).
• Allocate time schedule for the training.
• Provide the training
• Evaluate the training
3.3.3 Main Deliverables
Main deliverables are:

Deliverable 1. The Project Implementation Plan, including its accompanying
proposals for communication / promotion
Deliverable 2. The training materials
Deliverable 3. The implementation schedule.
Expected results are:

• Implementing bodies are identified
• The Project Implementation Plan is approved
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• Communication and promotion activities are carried out

• Training is delivered
• The Implementation schedule is set.
The work on the Implementation phase is to be carried out by the LPA staff.
3.4 Monitoring and Evaluation
3.4.1 Why set up a Monitoringand Evaluation System?
A monitoring and evaluation system enables local stakeholders to learn from the past
experiences. Monitoring is the continuous assessment of achievements while evaluation
is a periodic assessment of the relevance, performance, efficiency, and impact of the
UDP strategy.
Monitoring should be undertaken at predefined and critical stages of the implementation

process to bring about better efficiency and timely correction of defects at work.
M & E is also based on indicators of inputs (financial and physical resources used),
outputs (goods and services generated with the inputs), outcomes (use of and
satisfaction with outputs) and impact (ultimate effects of the UDP strategy on economic
growth, decent work opportunities and social conditions). The UDP project needs to be
monitored and evaluated within this context.
Project implementation is monitored against Masterplan intentions, design principles,

objectives, agreed outputs and targets. Updating procedures are then agreed upon so
that designs remain up-to-date. As individual projects are implemented, periodic reviews
are carried out, assessed against best practices. The monitoring and routine check on
the site will see that the developer is not illegal, he or she is not wrongly building on the
wrong plot or to ensure that a developer has development permit and is building
according to the zoning and approved standards. To ensure this, regular follow up and
regulatory framework should be laid out.
Monitoring should, at least:
• Lay down milestones that indicate what is to be done when and by whom,
• Have a clearly defined monitoring & evaluation schedule,
• Create well-established reporting mechanisms.
3.4.2 Types of Monitoring
MonitoringUDP projects involves the two basic approaches of monitoring: performance

and process.
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Purpose of Performance Monitoring

The purpose of Performance Monitoring is to assess the extent to which project inputs
are being used in accordance with the approved budget and timetable and whether the
intended outputs are being produced in a timely and cost-effective manner. It may also
assess whether project benefits are reaching the intended population groups. This type
of monitoring is basically intended to improve project supervision, and it is essential that
management receive constant feedback on key indicators of project performance so
that problems can be detected and corrections made.
Purpose of Process Monitoring

On the other hand, the purpose of process monitoring is to provide feedback to
management on the efficiency and effectiveness of the project delivery system. Two
areas of particular importance are the analysis of how the project is perceived by, and
actually operates at the level of, the intended beneficiaries; and the effectiveness of the
communication and organizational linkages between the implementing agencies and
beneficiaries. The speed and costs of the delivery system and the quality of the outputs
are measured, and where possible a comparison is made with alternative approaches.
3.4.3 Major tasks of the Implementation Phase
To implement an urban design project it is necessary to consider three tasks:
TASK 4. Carry out performance monitoring

TASK 5. Carry out periodic evaluation in Process Monitoring
TASK 6. Ensure feedback
Task 1. Carry out Performance Monitoring

Certain steps are usually followed in formulating performance and process monitoring
schemes. In performance monitoring:
• Projects have to be subdivided into major physical, financial and social features;
• They have to be prioritized and phased;
• There is a need to determine the required staffing for the monitoring unit according to
the project composition, scope and the required tasks to be performed;
• The necessary charts should be designed for physical progress and forms for budget
control and
• A set of financial monitoring forms (indicating budgets, cost variations, etc) have to
be prepared.
• Finally, performance-monitoring reports have to be generated following the above
steps and collecting the necessary data.
Task 2. Carry out Periodic Evaluation in Process Monitoring

• On the other hand, process monitoring can be conducted through periodic studies
(such as quarterly progress reports), inspection of projects, review of physical and
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financial progress reports, and through preparing monitoring status reports.

• UDP projects commonly have a number of integrated socio-economic, physical and
environmental plans, which require evaluators to have a clear understanding of each
project component.
• Evaluators are expected to conduct a series of in-depth interviews with central and
field-level project administrators at the start of the process as opposed to relying on
intervention blueprints, as it might be a broad diversion during the implementation
process (Field et.al, 2007).
• Overall, there is a need to conduct a comprehensive Social or Socio-economic
impact evaluation scheme as the UDP project usually encompasses a wide array of
projects.
Task 3. Ensure Feedback

Monitoring and evaluation serves as not only curbing existing problems of the
implementation process but also helps to improve future implementation capacity. Thus,
feedback from implementing body, from professionals, from developers and also from
the side of the end users should be used to build a solid framework that can be used for
upcoming projects.
Feedback should also be formatted in a structured manner for both ease of collecting
the relevant information and for future use.
The feedback can be structured into the following issues:
• Content of the design,
• Participation of stakeholders for due expression of individual ideas,
• Institutional/ ....set up that was formed to implement the project,
• Implementation mechanism
• Management of resources (time, man power,...)
• The general process beginning from the commencement until the termination.
3.4.4 Main Deliverables
Main deliverables are:

Deliverable 1. In performance monitoring: several evaluation reports, linked to
project milestones.
Deliverable 2. In process monitoring: evaluators’ interview reporting and, where
required, comprehensive project social impact evaluation scheme.
Expected results are:

• Reporting & supervision serve to improve performance during the project
• Interviews and reporting serve to improve process during the project
• Evaluation serves to reduce potential negative social impacts of the project
• Evaluation of individual projects serves to improve method and process for future
projects.
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To undertake the above tasks, the implementing body should form a monitoring unit that
is solely dedicated to do the routine checks. The mandate of this unit should be clearly
stated. The team should prepare monitoring and evaluation format for ease of use and
reporting.
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3.4.6 Mandatory Stages
Table 3. Flowchart of Minimal Mandatory Stages
STAGES RESPONSIBILITY OUTPUT

1. PREPARATORYWORK
- Form the steering committee - Municipality - Design team with a Project
- Prepare the PROJECT EXECUTION - Steering manager leading it
PLAN committee - Steering committee
- Set the objective of the project and define program - Steering - Project Execution Plan
- Select the design team - either through direct committee
assignment or through competitive bidding - Steering
APPROVAL BY THE CLIENT committee
2. DESIGNING
- Work with the context - Design team – - Master plan (that is the
- Work with the various stakeholders – at each stage the municipality output of a discussion with
through direct design workshops and/or formulating facilitates the the various stakeholders)
mechanisms for idea expression smooth - Urban Design Plan
APPROVAL BY THE CLIENT execution of - Urban Design Code
workshops /
3. DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION
- PROJECT PROMOTION - Project manager + - Action plan
- Planning action plan Municipality - Financing plan
- TRAININGS /Briefings/ for professionals - Municipality and/or Developer - Training modules both for
- Work commencement - Design team the implementing body and
practicing professionals
Municipality and/or
Developer
4. MONITORING and EVALUATION
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- Monitoring - site construction control Municipality and/or Developer- Monitoring formats

- Collecting Feedback Municipality and/or Developer - Feedback formats
3.4.7 Mandatory Outputs
Table 4. Summary of minimal, mandatory outputs
1. DATA COLLECTION
Off-site and on-site data collection mechanisms support this Off-sitedata collected
action,
On-site data collected
2. SYNTHESIS
Conceptual approach and defining the program to the urban Site analysis:
design are the componentsof this phase. Appropriate
designapproches area identified,Case studies of similar Concept statement and
projects assists inrealizing the ongoing issue at the site in conceptual sketch
acontextualmanner
3. PRESENTINGTHEDESIGN
Drawings, model(s) and report constitutethe final output of the Drawings
design,
4. SETTINGGUIDELINES
The drawings should be supplementedwith implementing Guideline Handbookthatstates
guidelines that areused as rules and regulations of the urban the principales andvalues taken,
design the issues thatare discussed
and regulatory statement/…
which are illustratedwith
sketches, maps,
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It should be noted that this flow chart is for the ‘urban design process’ not the
development process as a whole (economic calculations, marketing etc.). While the
comprehensive breakdown of this flowchart by subtask is particularly applicable to large
sites, where the full range of inputs will be required, the need for a structured approach
to design management is true of all scales of design development.
While the urban design process needs to be tailored according to circumstance, it is

important that a sequential process is followed with the above as minimal stages and
outputs.
Final Reminder
• From the beginning of the study of the UDPs, associate decision makers and professionals
that will be in charge of implementing the UDP
• Identify as soon as you can, the right professionals in charge of implementing;
• In case of big projects, create a specific authority or body in charge of implementation with
adequate human resources and financial means;
• Check capacity of implementers or provide training;
• Limit the clearing up of the area to what is really useful and proposes right and fair
compensations (as much as you can, relocate on the spot or next to the spot)
• Bring networks and facilities on the area before inhabitants come
• Sell to developers (through block system, not through plot system
• Anticipate the balance of expenses and revenues
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CHAPTER 4
ADAPTATIONS AND
REQUIREMENTS
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4 Adaptations and Requirements
This section covers (4.1) required adaptations to the existing planning framework
(hierarchy of planning documents); (4.2) to the legal framework and (4.3) the minimal
HR and technical requirements to design comprehensive neighbourhood plans.
4.1 Proposed Adaptations to Local Area Planning
4.1.1 Relation with Structure Plans
Structure Plans define both urban land use and major capital expenditures. They should
be developed in conjunction with a GIS-cadastral base
• Spatial planning in structure plans must be flexible and adaptive to market needs
and private sector requirements.
• Structure plans must be accompanied by a general urban zoning code (by-laws).
These (a) guide public urban planning offices and/or private firms in formulating
Local area plans (Neighbourhood Development Plans) and urban design plans)
or(b) serve directly as a basis for building permission where conditions are
unexceptional.
4.1.2 Mandatory versus Optional Local Area Planning
Local area planning, in the form of UDP statutory documents, with land use map and
corresponding urban regulation, should be mandatory for the following neighbourhoods,
areas or situations:
1. for economic areas (industrial areas, special economic zones, logistics areas and
dry ports),
2. for heritage and historic neighbourhoods.
3. for all new residential expansions of towns.
4. for all major urban restructuring / renewal operations.
In other areas, if the structure plan is accompanied by a general urban regulation,
the municipality may, at its own discretion, and according to its resources, either
require an area development plan (UDP) or give building permits on the basis of
the general urban regulation.
Wherever a structure plan exists, and local area plans are required by the municipality,
the latter plans must:
a) Update the social economic and demographic data of the structure plans, for the
study area
b) Respect the overall land use, building conditions and major infrastructure
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requirements of structure plans.

c) Detail the land use to the level of a building regulation for the local area,
sufficiently complete to allow issuance of building permits.
d) Derive the building regulation from a concept of urban structure, function and
form detailed for the local area.
Were structure plans do not exist, local area plans should be requested for at least
all the situations above (1 to 4). The subsequent structure plan will then have to
integrate these preceding local area plans.
4.1.3 Emphasis on Urban Form and Regulation in Local Area Plans
Past emphasis in local area plans is on economic and social data collection and survey.
This is not feasible or recommended in a future situation where thousands such plans
must be approved yearly. This type of data collection is more relevant at the scale of the
whole settlement and resources for it should be there concentrated.
Future urban design plans should however receive a more detailed urban regulation,
based on observation and understanding of existing urban fabrics. This can be achieved
with a minimum of 12 articles, as proposed in the LDP manual. Moreover, the present
manual is also compiled with the intent of guiding and cultivating the observation of
urban fabric and the enrichment of design vocabulary.
4.1.4 Impact on Urban Planning and Engineering Firms
• The SP design requires more details essentially in terms of implementation

schedule, costs and financing’
• The design team will set up the detailed Land Use Plan (LUP) of the city, which
becomes part of the SP for cities with population less than or equal to 100,000
inhabitants (about 90% of the cities in the country fall in this category);
• The UDP is linked to the implementation schedule of the SP; and
• The UDP is performed at a simple feasibility level. After approval of the SP, the
approved UDP is handed over to engineering firms entitled to carry out the
detailed design before implementation.
4.2 Adaptations to Legal Framework
4.2.1 Amendment of Proclamation Number 574/2008
The known legal framework for realization of neighbourhood development plans in the
country is Proclamation number 574/2008. Based on the proclamation, the first thing to
do is approving local plans to make them legally binding. This proclamation however
requires amendment for the proposed UDP to be implemented. Parts of the
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proclamation, which require modification, are shown in the ensuing figure.

Figur 5.Parts of Proclamation 574/2008 that Require Modification
4.2.2 Impact on the Proclamation 574/2008
Parts of proclamation no. 574/2008, which require immediate amendment includes:

• Article 8: which discusses about types of urban plans
• Article 9: definition and content of the Structure Plan
• Article 11: Position, role and content of UDP
• Article 12: implementation period
• Others: Additional articles focusing on efficient interaction between institutions –
between urban public utilities should also be amended accordingly.
4.2.3 Framework for PPP and UDCOM
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Public private partnership (PPP) modality is one potential mechanism to be exploited for
effective realization of the UDP proposals. If this should be tapped, the necessary legal
framework should be designed to effectively regulate a given service provider to ensure
that services provided reflect the adequate level and meet the desired standard or
quality. With the absence of regulatory mechanisms, PPPs could involve several risks.
According to United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
/UNESCAP/ (2011), the main risks involved for which the necessary regulatory
framework to be in place to minimize/eliminate the risks include: (i) excessive tariff; (ii)
inadequate service level and quality; (iii) non-compliance of contractual obligations to
users, government or other parties; (iv) low efficiency in production and in the provision
of goods and services; (v) inadequate level of investment in the sector; and (vi) frequent
discontent between the parties involved.
The powers to regulate PPPs are provided in the relevant legal instruments, statutory
rules, concession/contract agreements, and other applicable documents. The will be
the right institution for the country’s case for preparing and placing the regulatory
system for the different PPP arrangements.
4.2.4 Other Regulatory Mechanisms
In addition, any relevant existing legal framework should be used and taken into
consideration during the implementation process in order to use enforcement laws and
to be transparent. These may include: relocation, incentives and compensations
payment, building permit, land readjustment, dispute resolution, etc. The use of these
legal frameworks makes the implementation process easier and legitimate.
4.3 Human Resource and Technology Requirements
4.3.1 Human Resources
UD plans must be prepared by qualified experts and technicians either within local
public administrations and/or by qualified experts and technicians working within a
private practice specialized in urban design, architecture and utilities engineering.
The recommended minimum mandatory staff for carrying out an UD plan is the
following:
• Architect-Planner. Acting as team leader, the architect planner is responsible for
developing the land use plan, the elements of urban regulation, and the resulting
residential and employment densities.
• Utilities engineer (general qualifications). The
• Socio-economist The socio economist
• Land management expert
 GIS draftsperson
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 Support staff Social survey staff

Where local public administrations, upon developing ToR, have requested additional
attention to specific aspects (eg. heritage areas protection, social housing, feasibility
level engineering), additional staff will be included in the design team. In selecting
additional staff it is suggested to follow the guidelines set out in the Urban Planning and
Implementation Manual (pp. 15 -17).
4.3.2 Technologies
It is important that UDP can be carried out, wherever possible, using modern computer
aided design tools and equipment.
Thus, when an UDP is tendered competitively, the tendering firms must be required to
prove that they have:
• adequate CAD software
• computer equipment and
• Designers, engineering staff and draftspersons qualified to work on the above
equipment and software.
As there are a great variety of CAD software packages available, and since different city
administrations use different packages or versions of CAD software, it is recommended
that tendering procedures make reference to the CAD packages compatible with those
currently employed by the respective city administration.
During contractual negotiations with the design firm, the tenderer may additionally
require that the firm detail its software, equipment and staff qualifications as regards
CAD and check that such software versions can and will be delivered in versions
compatible with software in use by the local administration.
However, not all local public administrations are equipped at present with software,
especially in small and medium sized towns. It is recommended that designers in
private practice draft all local planning documents so that they can be easily and
economically reproduced by photocopy machines.
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ZONING AND URBAN CHAPTER 5

REGULATIONS
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5 Zoning and Urban Regulations
This section deals with the specific rules of thumb for writing urban regulation. Urban
regulations / Zoning Codes are developed to help create a coherent sense of place with
a variety of architectural styles, and to ensure high design quality across development
parcels. As well as maintaining quality, codes can also produce variety in styles by
providing a set of design guidance which can be interpreted in different ways while
maintaining common principles. On such sites, codes help to maintain quality by
identifying the elements of the masterplan that are fundamental in creating a sense of
place, and translating these into a set of detailed design instructions.
Content of Design Codes

The level of detail defined and required by a code is dependent upon the context and
circumstances. Below provides an outline regarding the minimum recommended level of
detail and possible coding elements. The code should systematically and gradually
break down elements that contribute to the creation of high quality place making,
starting from the most strategic elements of the development andthe timing within the
planning process coded and areas to focus on should be as follows:
• Codes should be concise and clear and avoid repeating elements that have been
agreed elsewhere (unless crucial to an explanation of the site
structure/character)
• Codes should be mandatory for the most part, with any discretionary elements
presented as alternatives
• Codes should promote and reinforce local distinctiveness, backed up by local
character area appraisals, where appropriate
• The street and perimeter block structure should be fixed within the code, and the
movement network and open spaces should also be fixed in respect of scale,
boundaries and strategic landscape elements
• A proving layout should be provided to demonstrate that the block structure is
sufficiently robust and flexible for a range of house types, and backed up by
detailed parcel and plot design work
• Site specific features should be featured strongly in the code, for example
features which help generate and support a strong open space character within
the development.
Mandatory and Optional components

Mandatory requirements are generally characterized by the verbs ‘to’, ‘will’, ‘shall’ or
‘must’. Optional requirements are generally characterized by “should”, “may” or “can”.
Requirements may either be without options (if there is no choice as to how they are
met) or with options (if there is a choice as to how they are met).
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Roles and Responsibilities

It is important that there is clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the
coding team. This should cover areas such as leadership, resources and enforcement.
Codes are then provided to developers for each parcel, often with an accompanying
brief to detail specific constraints. Implementation and enforcement
To ensure that the design quality set out in the codes is delivered on site, careful
consideration needs to be given to how they are implemented and enforced. A code can
be enforced through a development agreement or a planning requirement where the
code is adopted by the local authority, or both. Which mechanism is most appropriate
will depend on how the project is being delivered, the level of commitment to the project,
and the skills and resources available.
Resource and Skills

For codes to be effective it is vital that support from skilled staff is available throughout
the process. Where possible those involved in development of the codes should be
retained to advice developers, landowners and local authority staff as required. This will
ensure that designs comply with the codes, and it makes it easier to judge whether
suggested amendments will improve the codes.
5.1 Zoning Areas, Zoning Map
5.1.1 Choosing your Zoning Areas
When writing urban code, the first step, demarcating functional zones (zoning areas) is
very important.
Typically, in existing urban areas, they should be demarcated to correspond to the

morphological types of the existing fabric. There is usually a correlation between the
dominant land use, the building typologies, the pattern of the street network and plot
subdivision.
Often, this also means that the densification of existing fabric will tend to evolve in a
fairly foreseeable way, in each of the different zoning areas, depending on the pre-
existing geometry of plots and streets. Of course densification patterns can be
controlled by building conditions, further specified in the urban code, See especially
articles 4 to 10 below.
5.1.2 Tracing the Boundaries
The demarcation (boundary) between adjacent zoning areas should follow:
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• Plot boundaries
• Street median axis
• Natural barriers
It is important to avoid cutting through plots.
When two zoning areas have a boundary along a street axis, coordinate building
heights on both sides of the street to avoid breaks in scale.
5.2 Suggested Articles of Urban Regulation

Once the zoning areas are demarcated and coded, specific urban regulation can be
drafted for each coded area.
Some of the conditions are mandatory; others can be given as guidelines, to be

interpreted by municipal planning commissions when issuing planning permission.
Below are listed the typical articles of building regulation recommended for
implementing local area planning in Ethiopian cities.
Article 1. Land Use

Article 2. Plot Characteristics
Article 3 Building Footprint
Article 4 Floor Area Ratio
Article 5. Building Heights
Article 6. Conditions for buildings on adjacent plots
Article 7. Conditions for buildings on the same plot
Article 8. Setbacks from the alignment
Article 9. Street Sections
Article 10. Street wall Control
Article 11. Fences, barriers and enclosures
Article 12.Parking.
Additional articles can be added, as required, for more control of the built environment.
These are used especially in historic urban areas, where control of façade and
pavement materials, lighting, use of public art, signage & way-finding, spatial continuity,
the relationship between a certain monument and public space etc., may require more
specific rules.
Article 1 Land Use
This article must specify, for each functional zone:
• Permitted land uses
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• Forbidden land Uses

• Land uses permitted with restrictions
For instance, a tannery or a flour mill in a residential area should be forbidden.
Other activities can be either forbidden or allowed conditionally, depending on the

character one wishes to impart to the area. For instance, in a quiet residential
neighbourhood one may restrict all retail and restaurants outside of designated
shopping areas as well as restricting office developments in the residential areas.
Alternately, in mixed use areas, regulation can allow use of the ground floor for retail
and shopping, with the upper floors reserved for residential uses and offices. In this
case all these land uses must be permitted, though conditionally. For instance one may
place an upper limit on the surface area, or the seating capacity of restaurants.
Figure 6; Zoning Examples at Different Scales

Favor mapping with clear cut separation between districts and a manageable number of distinct functional
areas to be coded - at all scales- example: Philadelphia, PA: (left) overall urban zoning plan, (middle) GIS
detail at block scale; (right) district scale zoning map.
Article 2. Plot Characteristics
This article must first specify whether plots are buildable or not:
• Usually, plots without direct access to a vehicular road are not buildable,
• Unless a right of way is legally established through a neighbouring plot, which
does have direct road access.
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The article may also specify or recommend one or more of the following:
• Maximum plot surface area (sqm.)

• Minimum plot surface area (sqm.)
• Minimum width at alignment (m)
• Maximum width at alignment
• Minimum depth (m)
Article 3 Building Footprint
This is the total plot surface area / surface area of the building footprint, expressed in %.
• This article should specify the maximum allowable percentage

• The article may specify (or recommend) the minimum allowable percentage
Figure 7.Buildable and Not Buildable Plots
(left) Plot C not buildable, as no vehicular access
(right) Plot C is buildable as vehicular access is provided
Successive plot subdivisions may lead to long built plots, where

rooms on back courtyards are without natural light, and where
access of firemen and emergency services to the back plot is
difficult or impossible
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A minimum of 2,5 m lateral clearance is

required for emergency vehicle access to
the back of plots, either through a covered
passage or between façade and
enclosure
Article 4 Floor Area Ratio
This is the ratio between the total built -floor area of a building and the total area of the
plot.
• This article should specify the maximum allowable ratio.

• The article may require (or recommend) the minimum allowable ratio
Article 5. Building Heights
This article must specify the maximum allowable building height (m)*.
The maximum allowable building height at cornice-line may also be specified (m)**.
The maximum allowable building height (*) can be specified in two ways:
• in absolute height (m) from street level,

• in number of levels, such as G+3 (ground floor plus three). The first is preferable.
Building heights at cornice (**) are always specified in meters.
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Figure 8. Correlation between FAR and Massing
The same FAR can , depending on building footprint and building

heights, lead to very different massing of buildings
Figure 9. Measuring Height
Measuring maximum building height and cornice height
 M
a
x
i
m
u
m
building height (H) is
measured at the highest
point, such a roof line or elevator pulley housing, but excludes
aerials or chimneys. Cornice height (Hc) or height of setback
level (Hr) can also be regulated.
 On streets at an incline, maximum building height at the cornice
and/or roofline is measured mid-façade length.
Article 6. Conditions for Buildings on Adjacent Plots
This article determines the street front regime, which can be:
• Continuous
• Semi-detached
• Detached
When a continuous regime is desired: buildings may adjoin on both lateral limits of the
plot.
When a semi-detached regime is desired: buildings may adjoin only along one of the
lateral limits of the plot, but must be set back from the other lateral limit.
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When a detached regime is desired: buildings may not adjoin, and must be set back
from both lateral limits of the plot.
Figure 10. Continuous, Semi-detached and Detached Street Fronts
Continuous (with or without setback)
Semidetached and Detached
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Figure 11. Planting on Setback
Setback and trees
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Table 5. Continuous, Detached, Semi-detached streetFrontCharacteristics
Continuous street front Semidetached Detached
 Buildings can only adjoin if the wall  Buildings can only adjoin if the wall  Setbacks from lateral limits of plots
built to the plot boundary is « blind »: built to the plot boundary is « blind »: should not be less than 3m, if an
has no openings for windows, and has no openings for windows, and automobile access to the back of the
also no openings for ventilation. also no openings for ventilation. plot is desired.
 All walls built to plot boundaries must  Setbacks from lateral limits of plots  Setbacks from lateral limits should
be « blind ». should not be less than 3m, if an not be less than 1,5 m, which is
 Buildings cannot share a wall (for automobile access to the back of the however is only plausible for one
example in 72 sqm plot areas) for plot is desired. story buildings.
safety reasons.  Setbacks from lateral limits should  When regulating setbacks from
 Building to the rear or back boundary not be less than 1,5 m, which is lateral limits, the minimum distance
of the plot should be discouraged or however is only plausible for one between the two façades should also
forbidden, for public health reasons. story buildings. be specified. This is to be set so as
 It is possible to set a minimum  When regulating setbacks from to:
distances between the rear facades lateral limits, the minimum distance - allow natural light to penetrate to
of buildings sharing the same back between the two façades should also lower floors
boundary. Especially for multi-storey be specified. This is to be set so as - maintain privacy
fabrics, to prevent he inner courtyard to: Typically, this distance is expressed as a
from never receiving sunlight. - allow natural light to penetrate to ratio (1/2, 1/3, 1/4) of the height of the
lower floors tallest of the two buildings (in m), but no
- maintain privacy. less than a minimum distance between
Typically, this distance is expressed as a facades (in m).
ratio (1/2, 1/3, 1/4) of the height of the
tallest of the two buildings (in m), but no
less than a minimum distance between
facades (in m).
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Article 7. Conditions for Buildings on the Same Plot
This article specifies the allowable minimum distances between the facades of two
buildings on the same plot.
Typically, this distance is expressed as a ratio (1/2, 1/3, 1/4) of the height of the tallest of
the two buildings (in m), but no less than a minimum distance between facades (in m).
When regulating this minimum distance between the two façades, it should also be set so
as to:
• allow natural light to penetrate to lower floors
• maintain privacy.
Figure 12. Distances for Buildings on Same Plot
Illustration of conditions for buildings on the same plot
Article 8. Setbacks from the Alignment
This article determines the desired setback from street alignment, which can be:
• On alignment (no setback)

• To a fixed setback
• To a variable setback
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On alignment means ground floors are built to the street boundary
To a fixed setback means all ground floors are built to the same setback distance,
measured in meters behind the alignment.
Instead of a fixed setback, an interval, such as 3 to 5 meters from alignment, can

sometimes be allowed, but is rarely recommended.
What to Avoid
Variable setbacks often occur involuntarily when a fixed setback is not imposed or
respected. They generally disrupt the coherence of the street image, as well as clogging
pedestrian flow. The way to deal with this can be to regulate new buildings based on the
setbacks already observed by neighbours.
Public Use of setback

When specifying a setback, the resulting space between the ground floor and the
alignment can be either in public use, semi-public or private use.
This is determined by the presence of a fence or barrier, the character of the barrier as
well as by non-physical limitations of access.
Figure 13. Setback, Cornice Line and Awning
Even a variable setback can create coherent street space if Awnings create a sheltered space,
cornice lines and ground floor treatment are kept are strong marks of public use, and
consistent allow flexibility in using the setback
Article 9. Street Sections
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This article specifies the minimum distance between facades on opposite sides of the
street (opposite street fronts).
This is typically expressed as a ratio between the building height at cornice and the
perpendicular distance between the facades.
Typical street section ratios are 1/1, ½ and 1/3.
Typically between 1/3 and ¼, ratios, depending on orientation building heights would
tend to lead to streets without sunlight. An often used solution is to allow height
increases behind a building setback. This is often applicable to high rise office,
commercial and mixed use areas in central business districts.
Article 10. Street Wall Control
Additional conditions can be set to regulate street walls (facades). Typically these relate
to:
• Ground-floor arcades or porticoes
• Overhangs
• Facade recesses
• Setback of tower floors
Figure 14. Typical street sections and setbacks
Most frequently used street sections

Setback of top floors & tower setback
Article 11. Fences, Barriers and Enclosures
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Additional conditions can be set to regulate fences, barriers and enclosures. Typically
they specify:
a) Transparency
b) Height
c) Landscaping
d) or barriers can be disallowed altogether, allowing public or semipublic use of the
setback space.
Fencing should be designed as a transitory element more than a blocking element.
Fencing can be read as,
• Physically obstructive,
• Visually permeable but physically obstructive,
• Both physically and visually permeable.
Fencing can also be read in accord with the material used to create the above three
scenarios. It can either be a man- made element or a landscaped feature.
Figure 15.Spatial separation can maintain transparency
Enclosure can be by transparent fences associated with landscaping. Other enclosure elements
can double as public seating. In calm housing areas, physical barriers are not indispensable.
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Article 12. Parking
Parking can be provided, and required, as:

• On street parking, with shade
• On the plot, surface parking
• On the plot, parking within the building
• Semi-public (shared) or public surface parking.
• Shared or public parking in special purpose buildings, such as for shopping
malls, train stations, airports, large office buildings.
Typically dense, mixed-use areas require a combination of parking options.

Requirements of parking within buildings significantly raise construction costs, and
should be used sparingly.
Commercial condominium housing often ignores or under dimensions parking.
Figure 16. Integrating parking
Integrate public parking garages into urban fabric / Provide adequate landscaping for outside
parking areas, including trees and low walls or other screening from sidewalks
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Additional Articles:
Spatial Continuity Requirements - Materials, Colour, Rhythm and Openings
Typically in historic areas, additional conditions are set to preserve the continuity of
urban space & fabric:
a) Building materials: façade or roof materials can be required to conform to local

and/or historically used materials, present in the older buildings of the
neighbourhood.
b) Colour: a range of colours can be either imposed or recommended.
c) Rhythm: where historic buildings create a vertical street-front rhythm, and where
continuity is desired, new buildings may be required to conform to this rhythm.
d) Horizontal registers: Where historic buildings have strong plinths or cornice lines,
similar façade treatments can be imposed on new buildings.
e) Openings: similarly, the placement and dimensions of openings (windows, doors)
can be regulated.
Figure 17.Landmarks through signage. Continuity of form, though not of material.
Urban furniture and signage elements can even act as local landmarks (left). They give a rhythm to
street space and regulation can be formulated for them. Continuity can be achieved by respecting
volume, while changing materials (right).
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Continuity Requirements: Signage and Urban Furniture
In historic areas, elements of signage and /or urban furniture are important in
determining character. It is important to survey these and to decide how new elements
of urban furniture or signage are to be designed.
To note that imitation of the old by the new is sometimes a good solution, but is not the
only acceptable design attitude.
Continuity Requirements: Avoiding breaks in Scale
When an area undergoes rapid change in functional demands and typology (such as
mid-rise commercial and office buildings appearing inside or near a low rise residential
areas), volumetric breaks in scale often occur, on the horizontal scale (façade length)
and on the vertical (façade height and surface).
Especially in heritage areas this is to be avoided, and can be regulated by placing

conditions on:
a) Maximum height (limited to fit existing average height),

b) Maximum admissible, unbroken / un-recessed, façade length (to be similar to
existing average façade lengths).
c) Other breaks in building volume.
Figure 18. Stepping down façades to avoid breaks in scale
A building can step down to bridge break in scale (45 and 30

degree angles are most used), and / or its façade can be
fragmented, and/or a building can be angled with respect to the
street
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Protecting the Context of Historic Buildings (Buffers)
Not only the immediate vicinity of a historic building requires protection, but also its
urban situation and thus relationships with adjacent historic fabric and public open
space.
Wherever possible, these spatial relationships must be carefully preserved, and can be
achieved by means such as:
a) Provide green area / buffers
a) Restrict some activities
b) Control adjacent building height and volume
c) Retain perspectives and view-lines which may be traditional
d) Retain public open spaces such as piazzas
e) In some instances, do not excessively broaden existing, historical public spaces
such as piazzas or squares
f) Be careful with parking. Hiding parked cars with landscaping is quite acceptable,
and should be used where feasible.
Figure 19. The relationship between a historic monument and its landscape and/or its
surrounding historic fabric should be conserved integrally
Gondar Castle in its landscape setting. A buffer has been retained

between the castle and the modern city.
117
Protecting a Historic Site’s Landscape
The spatial relationship of historic buildings or historic fabric to landscape: waterfront, rivers,
canals, or hilly and mountainous areas has value (including economic) and should also be
preserved or enhanced.
This relationship is historically established and can often be seen in art or historiography.
Figure 20. Historic landscaperelationships
(Left One of the 13 rock-hewn churches at the site of Lalibela

(Right View of Dessie in its landscape setting
Endnote on Writing Urban Regulation
When writing urban regulation, there are balances to be maintained between what is
publicly regulated and what is left to private choice, and the careful practitioner should
reflect on them.
In many rural communities, worldwide, and throughout history, community self-regulation
has led to an accepted or loved built environment. In small communities, custom, and a long
building tradition acting in unison, were usually rules enough.
A ‘light touch’ to formal regulation can be an implicit element in writing urban code for rural
and small town communities. In these cohesive communities, and neighbourhoods, when in
118
doubt, remember: better a few, well connected rules, accepted by the community, than
scores of rules which cannot be followed by either designers, builders or city administrators.
Urban designers are prompted to carefully examine the existing building forms and fabric,
as well as peoples’ desires, their possibilities, and the evolving building practices, in order to
base the urban rules they make on practical reality.
Practical rules, based on careful observation, can help guide the building process towards
better quality, public health and public safety, while still keeping the housing affordable.
In today's’ large, fast growing and diverse urban polities, with new building materials and
technologies applied every day, self-regulation can rarely be relied upon.
The lack of formal regulation in fast growing cities usually leads to a chaotic physical
environment, costly to maintain. Lack of land use and building regulation, or unenforceable
regulation, place significant strain on public budgets, for instance if slums take hold.
Moreover, without control of density, infrastructure is often under-dimensioned, over-
dimensioned, damaged or congested. The remedies are costly.
The program requirements for some activities are also fairly recent (CBD, condominium
housing, industry and logistics areas). The guidance of custom and building tradition cannot
here be relied upon. Nor are imported models always applicable, or even appropriate,
without the filter of the thoughtful designer, dealing with everyday demands.
In finding the balances between what to regulate, how to regulate, and how much to
regulate, the responsibility of the urban designer is great. This handbook has proposed a
set of 12 simple though interconnected articles and a few recommendations, on how to
apply them, based on examining Ethiopian urban situations. Much will be learned by
practitioners, imaginatively adapting guidelines and principles to complex situations
119
Figure 21: Giovanni Francesco Grimaldi(Bologna 1608 - Rome 1680) Landscape near
Viterbo
120
APPENDIX A.
REFERENCES
121
References
The manual has been prepared taking into account previously produced LDP manuals
as well as Ethiopian sector policy documents.
The Consultant’s experiences, as well as number of international manuals and best
practices compendia, have also informed the manual especially in relation to housing.
Finally, the team has looked through experiences of some international cities as to how
urban design is practiced.
1. Abu Dhabi Planning Council, Abu Dhabi Urban Street Design Manual
2. Addis Ababa Housing development project office, Neighbourhood Planning and
Design Manual, (2006)
3. Bahir Dar University, 2012. Bahir Dar City Profile, Bahir Dar-Ethiopia.
4. CABE Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, The Councilor’s
Guide to Urban Design.
5. Cambridge City Council Urban Design and Conservation team with South
Cambridgeshire, Design Codes for Strategic Development sites within the
Cambridge Fringe areas: Informal Guidance Note (2012)
6. Century City Development Company (Pty) Ltd, 2005. Century City Urban Design
Framework, Century city-South Africa.
7. Cities Alliance Cities without slums, Guide to city Development Strategies:
Improving Urban Performance (2006)
8. City of Austin design Commission, Urban Design Guidelines for Austin, (2009)
9. City of Kitchener Urban Design Manual: Part A - Urban Design Guidelines
(2012)
10. Central Statistics Agency, 2013. Population Census of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa-
Ethipia.
11. Department for Communities and Local Government: London (2006), Preparing
Design Codes: A Practical Manual, RIBA Publishing
12. Dire Dawa City Administration, 2008. Kezira Local Development Plan-Dire Dawa
Ethiopia.
13. Donald Watson, Alan Plattus, Robert Shibley (2003), Time-Saver Standards for
Urban Design, McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
14. EDAW Limited, 2001. Southampton City Centre Urban Design Strategy,
Southampton-England.
15. Good Clancy Architecture, planning and preservation, James Town urban design
plan: Volume II - Design guidelines (2006)
16. Government of South Australia & Planning SA, Good Residential Design SA: A
resource for planning, designing and developing neighbourhood and homes
17. (1999)
18. hhi Design (2008), City of Deltona: Urban Design Pattern Book
19. Illustrated Urban Design Principles (2010):London
20. Jenniefer Dill (2004), Measuring Network Connectivity for Bicycling and walking,
School of urban studies and Planning, Portland State University
122
21. Joan Busquets, ed., and Felipe Correa, collaborator, Cities:10 Lines: Approaches
to City and Open Territory Design (Barcelona: Actar D, 2007).
22. John Wiley& Sons, Inc. (2006), Planning and Urban Design Standards: American
Planning Association, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
23. Kevin Lynch (1960) (Extraction), The Image of the city, Cambridge
Massachussettes, MIT press
24. Landcom, Street Design Guidelines: for Landcom Projects
25. Law on Urban Planning, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, official gazette Issue
nos 01-Q3/August 2009
26. Llewelyn-Davies with Alan Baxter and Associates (2007), Urban Design
Compendium, English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation, London
27. Manly Council, Urban Design Guidelines (2011)
28. 22 Mathewos Consult, Ministry of Works & Urban Development: Federal
Urban Planning Institute, Local Development Plan Manual (2006)
29. Matthew Camona, Tim Heath, TanerOc, Steve Tiesdell (2003), Public Places
Urban Spaces: The dimensions of Urban Design, Architectural Press
30. Melbourne City Council, Towards a better ‘Public Melbourne’ in Summary: Draft
Urban Design Strategy (2006)
31. METRASYS, Urban Block Design guideline/manual to best practice (2012)
32. Ministry of Works and Urban Development, 2008. Urban Planning and
Implementation manual of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa-Ethiopia.
33. Ministry of Urban Development and Construction; Structure Plan Manual (Re
vised Version) (2012)
34. Office of Revision of Addis Ababa Master Plan /ORAAMP, 2002/, Structural plan
Executive Summary, Addis Ababa- Ethiopia.
35. Office for Urbanism with UMA, Goldsmith Borgal& Company Architects, Regina
Downtown Neighbourhood Plan
36. Planning Department, Honk Kong SAR Government, RMJM Hong Kong
37. Limited in association with Designscape International Limited CW Ho Associates,
Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong (2002)
38. Studio Real, Urban Design Compendium 2 , 2007
39. Tribal, Planners and Urban Designers; O’Mahony Pike, Architects and Urban
Designers; MacCabeDurney, Town Planners and Urban Designers; Design for
Homes, Residential Research Consultant; Zero-G, Communications Design;
Environment, Heritage and Local Government; Urban Design Manual: A best
practice guide (2009)
40. The city of Edinburgh Council, The Edinburgh Standards for Urban Design,
(2003)
41. Urban Design Associates, Central Riverfront Urban Design Master plan (2000)
42. Urban Design Manual 1999. Volume I - Private Development, Miami-Dade
County Sustainability, Planning and Economic Enhancement. Miame-USA.
43. Urban Design Handbook January 2009. City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East
Baton Rouge, Planning Commission. Louisiana-USA
44. Walker Riverside Design Code: Spplementary Document (2007)
123
APPENDIX B. URBAN DESIGN
PRIMER
124
Appendix B. Urban Design

Primer
i. The City Scale
1. Reading the Urban Pattern
Good urban design means being able to understand the The scale of the city is that of the entire urban
existing city-form. How it evolved historically; how the city is settlement within its natural landscape.
set in its landscape; how the elements of built form: streets,
Figure 22. A view of Bologna, 1861
plots, public space and building volume relate to each other
in a given city and neighbourhood.
Reading the urban pattern often requires moving between

scales. Three scales are considered here:
• The City
• The Urban fabric
• The Pedestrian scale
125
with over 80% of Barcelona’s residents having access to

ii. Population Density
public rail, but only 4% of Atlanta’s.
Figure 24. Density gradients

A first understanding at the city scale is gained from Moscow
examining the relationship between area and population (left)
density – wherever statistics permit making such Djakarta
(right)
comparisons.
Figure 23. Compact versus sprawl
Shanghai
(left)
Paris
(right)
New
York
(left)
Berlin
(right)
Even where the overall density is comparable, the

distribution across the urban area can be quite different.
Witness for instance the very high average density of
Moscow, versus the ‘peak’ configuration for Shanghai.
New York shows a marked contrast between the very
map created by Alain Bertaud, senior researcher at NYU’s Stern high Manhattan densities and the low density spread of
Urbanization Project
the outer boroughs, while in Berlin, one can read the
denser central government and business district, the
The same population size, can occupy territory at very
moderate density of the compact city and the dispersed
different densities. Barcelona and Atlanta have the same
suburban settlements set in the landscape. In the Paris
population size, but Atlanta occupies 26,5 more land
diagram the historic city core, as well as the outer
area. Moreover, the public rail density is very different,
126
business area of la Defense, are both read as high

density while the overall core-city density is density is
also significantly higher than for Berlin. Djakarta has a
very high density CBD and urban core, and then
spreads out at low density over a wide area.
127
iii. Urban Origins
Historical Nucleus
All cities have an urbanization nucleus: a physical Figure 25.The castle complex of Gondar
element determining the first settlement - be it a View outwards towards the natural basin where the city is situated
crossroads; the fording of a river; a fortified church or
castle; a bustling market. Sometimes the physical
imprint of the first settlement can be identified on the
map or aerial photograph. It is often known to local
historians or residents, and should be known to the
designer. The historical element can either be a single
structure or monument, or the initial settlement as a
whole. From an intangible point of view, social activities,
ceremonies, or rituals are often linked to elements of
built form.
(Below) Gondar castle complex within the urban fabric. To note

that a significant buffer area has been kept between the castes
complex and the modern city
(Top) Gondar as a historic place

(Below) Gondar as a plave of commemoration
128
Use of Natural Features

A mountain setting, a valley floor, a lake, a river
crossing: landscape elements are often very important in
the choice of a settlement location.
Figure 26. City and topography
(Top) City of Priene, Hellenistic age (III rd century BCE), artists’
reconstruction (now in modern day Turkey)
(Bottom left) Priene street grid and public spaces in relation to
topography.
The functional importance of natural elements may

diminish over time, such as fortification, but the visual
and symbolic importanceare often quite resilient.
Figure 27. Along the water
129
(Top) Istanbul, historic view of the Bosporus. The Three Bosporus

bridges remain the main bottlenecks of transport today, while the
iv. Cities Grow Outwards

Bosporus still structures the city (now over 20 million)
Starting from one, or several historical urban nuclei,

cities will tend to expand onto the land. The form this
expansion takes depends on several factors.
Topographic Barriers
The energy of the landscape greatly determines the way
city-form develops. Except for fortification purposes, very
steep sites are traditionally avoided, and cities tend to
expand on flatter land, requiring less costly land
preparation.
Hydrography
A second very important determinant is surface water.
Forexample,Hawassa Lake has historically constituted
the economic and social base for the city. Reliant on the
lake,Hawassa grows along the shore. Bahirdar, though it
benefits from the potential of Lake Tana, grows both
inland on the plain,and along the shore.
130
Fertile Land Figure 28.The natural site ‘steers’ expansion

In many situations, the best agricultural land - such as Addis Ababa (top left), Dire dawa (top right) are structured by main
on a valley floor - will not be built upon, settlements roads, which follow natural access corridors to the site. They also
being established on the lower flanks of hills, where land have tended to expand on the flatter land and not on the hilly our
is poorer or harder to cultivate. In the case of Chicago, mountainous portions of their sites.
below, the fertility of the vast US mid-west was is the
first motor for city growth, and the city expanded on the
flat shore of Lake Michigan without significant
topographic constraints.
Axum (left) Harar (right) have expanded on the flatter land of their
respective hilly sites
Hawassa (left) and Bahir Dar, have expanded differently along their
respective lake shores
Note: images not to scale (Addis Ababa covers 527km2 and Dire Dawa
covers 1.2km2)
131
Chicago, 1916 view. The cities’ transportation importance began in the

Connectivity 1840's with the building of the Illinois and Michigan Canal connecting
This indicates the degree of linkage between the city the Mississippi River with Lake Michigan. The Galena & Chicago Union
and the neighbouring settlements and/or its broader Railway enhanced shipping of the many agricultural products that were
beginning to be grown in the region. Chicago became a trade centre
hinterland. Cities tend to grow outwards along main
for farming products and an industrial centre.
access corridors, and may, over time, incorporate
smallersettlements at their periphery. However, the
direction of growth can also be from the smaller
settlement to the larger.
Non-physical Factors
The expansion pattern can also be determined by non-
physical factors, such as a protected forest, natural park
or other enclosure.
Leapfrogging
The pattern is not always uniform. Urban expansion will
leapfrog barriers, when it cannot cross them. Connectivity and urban extension. (l’eft) Chicago growth, 1835 to 1889
(right) Chicago extending radially into the hinterland, along trunk roads,
An examination of several city maps, over time, in cca 1939.
conjunction with adequate topographic base maps, and,

where available, with time series of aerial or satellite
imagery allows designers to identify the overall
dynamics of growth. Explaining it in detail requires a
good understanding of the history of a settlement.
Figure 29. The flexibility of the grid to rapid change
132
v. Density Changes, Centrality agglomerate to create clusters of specializations. This is

usually accompanied by increases in density.
Centrality Centrality, linearity, poly-centrality: Addis Ababa (left) & Dire Dawa
A city might be structured as mono-centric or (right) growth tendencies
polycentric. In a mono-centric city physical density,
mobility and major social and economic activities
converge into a single locality; whereas the polycentric
city is structured around two or several central places.
Mono- centric cities may develop into polycentric

structures as the city grows in complexity and outlying
centres are integrated within the transport network. Note: images not to scale (Addis Ababa covers 527km2 and Dire Dawa covers
1.2km2)
In some cases, twin city configurations exist (such as Canberra regional plan: a polycentric urbanized region serving
Minneapolis – St Paul, Budapest). Usually where a Australia’s federal capital
natural barrier (river, ravine) separates two sizeable
settlements, each may retain its central place.
Diversification
Figure 30. Centrality variants
As a city grows in population, it tends to diversify and
specialize in terms of economic activity, as well as in the
social use of space. Thus complex functions
133
Figure 31. Skyline and landscape

A view of Istanbul, around 1839.
vi. Reading Landscape and Skyline
Wherever a prominent natural feature dominates, gives

character, and has moreover an economic role, it is
fundamental to understand how the built settlement and
landscape interact.
Skyline
The reading of large scale built form in relation to the
natural landscape is also at eye level, on the site. This is
crucial in creating a first impression and in determining
the overall character of a city form. Very often, at this
scale, symbolic elements of the urban skyline have also
a special relationship with the landscape.
A panoramic view of Florence, from across the Arno, showing the dome
of the cathedral (Duomo of Santa Maria delleFiori) and the towers of
Vistas and Panoramas both the cathedral and the municipality (Signioria).
Moreover, there may be locally well-known vantage
points from which a city best ‘shows’ itself to the resident
or traveller– such as perspectives along the access
roads, a lakeshore promenade, a view from a bridge or a
hill.
It is important for the designer to be able to locate such

points and perspectives and markers of the city skyline,
to understand the character of a city-landscape
relationship so as to conserve elements of both a
historical urban skyline and a historical relationship with
the landscape.
134
2. From City to Urban Fabric Planned Patterns

Regular, planned street patterns may occur either at the
Reading an urban fabric means being able to scale of a neighbourhood, or for the whole settlement.
characterize the topology, geometry, dimensions and They can be radial-concentric, gridirons, or a
characteristic interrelationships between: combination thereof, with varying degrees of connectivity
(see below) between the component grids.
• Street networks
• Plots
• Buildings. Figure 32; Organic to grid
Moreover, some elements, such as major buildings or Organic patterns: (left) ancient Herat – Iran ; (middle) Médina of Tunis;
street networks, must be read at both the scale of urban (right); Harar - Ethiopia
fabricsand at that of the city.
i. Urban Street Networks
Streets are often the major organizing element of urban

form. The pattern can be read at the scale of the city-
region, at city scale, but is also relevant to the urban
(below) Gridiron pattern – 1807 Commissioner’s Plan of Manhattan, NY
fabric scale.
Organic Pattern
A first distinction is between an organic, non-planned
street pattern and a planned street pattern. In the first
case, while the eye of the web may be fairly predictable
or repeatable in overall shape and area, there is no
regular geometric form, and streets tend to follow older
footpaths between fields, to a central place etc.
135
Figure 33.from grid to hybrid & radial concentric

(right) Connected radial concentric patterns with orthogonal infill –
Plan of Canberra, Walter Burley Griffin, 1925
Connectivity
At the scale of urban fabrics refers to the ease of access
from one fabric to the next where each has its own
distinctive character. It characterizes the major
connections with a settlement as well as transition
between adjacent neighbourhoods. Some street
patterns have very high connectivity between fabrics,
others very low.
Direct Route Index:
(Top) Gridiron and diagonal connectors, Barcelona plan, Ildefonso
A Direct Route Index (DRI) is used to measure the ease of access
Cerda, 1858
from one point to another within a development.
136
DRI = Length of Actual Path
Length of Direct Path In order to calculate the level of directness

from point A to point B, the length of the actual driving/ walking
route between the two points, must be divided by the length of the
direct, straight, route.
It may also be used for both vehicle and pedestrian routes. The best
possible result is an index of 1.
Crossing Distance
The distance between crossings along a given road and
the number of crossings per area are often quite
characteristic. A greater the number of crossings may
correspond to better the accessibility to public space.
137
Street Hierarchy Intersection density

Streets are mostly organized in hierarchical Density of intersections - It is measured as the number of
intersections per unit area. A higher number indicates higher
relationships, in relation to their use. In order to read the intersection and in turn suggests higher connectivity.
street hierarchy(main roads, distributors, access roads,
alleys and cul-de-sacs etc.), it is important to have an
understanding of locations of major functions:
residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, transit,
public spaces, etc.
Incomplete grids in Dire Dawa
Figure 34. Connectivity and broken or incomplete grids
138
Streets and Solar Orientation

Sun direction - it is important to understand how a layout of (bottom left) Adama –gridiron pattern on flat landscape; (top left)
streets may be oriented to either maximize solar exposure in Harar –organic street pattern adapting to hilly landscape; (top right)
Aleppo, Syria – streets cluster at the base of the great hill of the
cold climates, or with a view to maximizing shading.
citadel. (bottom right) Priene, the grid has half the streets
Streets and Wind Direction

perpendicular to steep contour lines.
Wind direction – Proper orientation with respect to

seasonally dominant wind directions can ensure either
comfortable ventilation of streets, or, where needed,
block cold winds.
Street Relationship to Topography

Street grids may be indifferent to the site’s topography. This
usually (but not always) happens on flatter land, where there
are no significant slopes. Or steep slopes, street grids adapt
to the topography, often following contour lines.
Figure 35.Street relationship to topography:
139
to characterize plots by average area and dimensions.

ii. Plots, Streets, Buildings
Plots, Topography and Orientation
Plots tend to follow topography. On hilly terrain, where
Plot versus Street street follow contour lines, plots will be perpendicular to
When working in historic areas, it may be useful to read the contour lines. This aids in drainage.
whether the plots preceded the streets or vice versa.
Where a plot pattern is cut diagonally, it may indicate Wherebuildings follow a solar orientation, for example
that the street was built later. SE or SSE, plots will also be adapted to the orientation.
Figure 36. Streets cutting plot subdivisions
Figure 37.grain of urban fabric
From “The Rise Fall and Regeneration of Over-The-Rhine: A Morphological

Study”, Daniel B. Ferdelman, 1997
Shapes
The shape of plots is also usually a result of their original
use (agricultural use, earlier urban use), and of
subsequent dynamics of subdivision.
Plan Dimensions of Plots

Plots can usually characterized by:
 Typical surface areas (minimum and maximum)
 Typical frontage (idem.), and Streets, Plots and Buildings are the building blocks of urban fabric
 Typical depth (idem). image from « Analyse urbaine » Philippe Panerai Jean
Even in an irregular, organic urban fabric, it is possible
140
MarcelleDemorgon-Charles Depaule characteristic degree of openness or closure of the

street fronts.
Block Densification
The densification potential of the existing fabric is
strongly dependent on the pre-existing geometry of
blocks, plots and streets.
At this scale the designer also needs to understand how

the existing fabric – for example in a given block - will
tend to evolve under pressure for new construction. This
understanding of morphological process is important
because one can establish building rules, and guide
future development.
The same block, in Versaillesz, Françe, densified over time: 1675, 1685,
1813, 1975 (from J. Castex, P. Celeste, Ph. Panerai, “Lecture
d’uneville”)
The space of the street is determined by the degree of closure, but

can also vary greatly depending on setbacks, use of vegetation etc.
Above are two closed street fronts, one with a significant setback,
another where row housing built to the alignment (from « Analyse
urbaine » Philippe Panerai Jean MarcelleDemorgon-Charles
Depaule).
Figure 38. Street-space Figure 39. Block densification
Street Front: Degree of Closure

Especially when designing or writing building regulation
in existing urban areas, it is important to understand the
141
iii. Buildings and Space Building Dimensions

Like plots, buildings can be read, within an urban fabric, as
Figure Ground Relationship regards their average plan dimensions, as well as in the
vertical dimension. In analysing urban fabric, the designer is
A useful tool in understanding urban space is the figure- particularly interested in identifying, and bridging breaks of
ground relationship, where building footprints are scale, where certain buildings are larger in plan dimensions,
blacked in or hatched, and free space left blank. mass, volume or height from the surrounding average
building size.
It allows us to see what the average size and shape of
most of buildings is in a fabric, to differentiate the
buildings of significantly larger size or different
orientation, and to draw a number of conclusions on
urban space.
Building and Topography

When building footprint is represented on a map
together with topography, one can characterize the
orientation of buildings with respect to slope gradient, as Piazza Navona, Rome.
well as identifying links between prominent buildings and
topography.
Building Orientation
A set orientation with regards to cardinal points is very
common in traditional or historic urban fabric.
 Places of worship, churches and mosques, have
cardinal orientation.
 Local custom and/or bioclimatic adaptation often Figure 40. Fabric and monument
determined the orientation of entrances to houses,
either to maximize sun exposure (S, SE, SSE, ESE)
or to minimize it (northerly orientations).
 Buildings may also present a ‘blind’ façade, without
windows, towards a dominant cold wind.
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Street and Block Scale Figure 41. Examples of block size and scale variations
The shape of blocks, and the resulting grain are quite important in
later determining the view from the street. Note the difference in
The designer also needs to be able to read and
the size of blocks in US and European examples. Note also how,
understand the scale, patterns and details of urban form in older cities, the road hierarchy is more complex, and there are
as perceived, in everyday use, by the pedestrian – or in many diagonal cuts in the fabric.
some cases, as perceived from the road.
Urban character is mostly determined at this scale. The

designer’s power of observation is especially important
when the requirement is to develop urban regulation or
to build in an existing urban area: infill, rehabilitation of
an historic district etc.
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iv. Squares and Plazas Here, in contrast, the different scales of two grids: Chicago (top)
and Barcelona (below).The larger, oblong Chicago blocks, allow
Large squares, in Ethiopian context, (e.g. Meskel greater expansion on the vertical scale. The Chicago block, with
square, Mexico square) are either directly linked to different building regulation, also accommodated residential
public open spaces which are multifunctional in use or to neighbourhoods (bottom)
large traffic roundabouts.
The enclosure by closed street fronts, as in typical for
European urban space, is not encountered.
Figure 42; Examples of squares
Meskel Square Addis Ababa
Palais Royal gardens, turned into a public square - Paris
This square is created when either a spatial enclosure is

CLOSED SQUARE formed surrounded by a tightly configured buildings or
144
when a strong boundary is delineated by specific site v. Street Aspect

element.
All elements composing the characteristic street image
Typical European styles – not a character of Ethiopian must be seen in unity. The Tokyo street seen below,
cities from the Ginza neighbourhood, sows how signage,
lighting, street section, pedestrian animation, can create
DOMINATED SQUARE a very distinctive and recognizable image, even though,
This square is formed by the existence of one individual individually, the elements are not distinctive.
predominant structure which the open space is directed Street image, contamporary Tokyo
and to which all other structures are related. This
dominating building may be a church, a monumental
structure, a Palace, a Town hall an architecturally
developed fountain, a theatre, a railway station.
Meskel Square, Legahare rail station
NUCLEAR SQUARE
This is when a nucleus which has a strong vertical
accent – a monument, a fountain, an obelisk – and
powerful enough to charge the space around with a
tension that keeps the whole together is created.
Mexico square
GROUPED SQUARE Figure 43. Signage determining streetscape

This is when a sequence of squares, different in size
and form, develops in only one direction, thus
establishing a straight axis. Individual squares may be
connected and the aesthetic effect of the whole depends
on the successive images of the changing spatial
relations.
Some street side squares in Ethiopia.
145
and value of the development. They can also bring design

3. Design Building Blocks benefits including variety and diversity.
Careful planning is required to ensure that the size and

This section deals with the specific rules of thumb for arrangement of these parcels and plots contribute to the
designing neighbourhoods, with emphasis on new master plans’ land use and density and are financially viable.
residential areas.
ii. Phasing
The phasing of development is likely to have a significant
impact on the success of a scheme. Creating public realm
and delivering essential facilities at an early stage can help
make a location desirable and influence patterns of use. For
example, providing public transport, public lighting and
community facilities early will help ensure that the first
residents are not dependent on cars. However, facilities
require a critical mass to make them viable. Decisions need
to be made on which facilities are required at the outset,
where these should be located, who will provide them and
how these will grow with the development.
Figure 44.Example of landscaping determinant of public

space.Garden city, garden neighbourhood.
i. Parcelling Land and Phasing for

Development
Larger-scale master plans are often subdivided into
development parcels to bring benefits in terms of the speed
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iii. Parcel and Plot needed, the active commercial frontage

 The layout encourages pedestrian traffic
Parcel – is a portion of the development area that can be  Where needed, the layout allows higher
subdivided into individual plots. densities to be achieved, over time
(l to note that larger plots can generate stand-
Plot – is the smallest sub-division, for which the building alone pavilion buildings flanked by parking,
permit is usually requested. difficult to densify)
 Where needed, the layout provides a flexible
basis for amalgamation, where larger plots are
put together to form larger ones. Modular plot
sizes are especially sized for easy amalgamation
in layouts for industrial estates and logistics
areas. Amalgamation can also occur,
Figure 45. Plot and parcel incrementally, in an urban housing area, and is
usually accompanied by a change in building
Developers will typically prefer dividing and area into type.
larger land parcels (developers sub-divisions), and to
subdivide using only one or two standard plot sizes.  The layout provides a network of public open
space, but minimizes costly and wasteful leftover
However, individual plots should be sized according to space. Public open space is usually required
their position on the street hierarchy and to the adjacent to the larger plots used for commercial,
expected land use and building typology. civic or industrial buildings.
An important design decision is how large the plots

should be and how to assemble different plot sizes to
create an urban fabric where:
 Plots are commercially attractive to a range of

secondary developers, while no plot is hard to
sell.
 Plots are sized to accommodate the desired mix
of building types (residential, commercial,
amenities, offices etc.)
 Street and plot configurations maximize, where
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iv. Plot and Building
Buildings can be placed on a plot in a variety of ways.

The figures (left) suggest a few typical placements in
residential areas.
 Back to Back - each having a frontage onto the

street and a shared boundary at the rear,
 Plots facing onto main streets at the front with
service alleys at the rear,
 ‘Through' plots with a frontage onto a main
street
 Street at each end,
 Centrally located buildings.
 Both having back to back connection and street
facing structures.
Street Fronts
The placement of buildings on plots determines the
degree of closure for street fronts. To understand street
frontage it is essential to separate the ground floor from
the rest of the floors since it has a direct interaction with
the public and determines street character.. Continuous Figure 46. Building placement relative to street and plot
building to alignment is successful at providing good
enclosure to a street or square and generating active
frontage, animating the public realm. In centres, a direct
frontage to pavement relationship assists commercial
viability and street vitality. Projections and setbacks
from the building line can be used to add emphasis, but
the function of resulting spaces must be clearly defined.
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v. Density
Building at higher densities can make more efficient use

of land. Decisions on what density levels are
appropriate for a location can be biased by negative
perceptions.
High density is often imagined as equivalent to tall

buildings crammed with small apartments, and which
fail to relate to the local context. This is not necessarily
so. With careful planning and good design of public
space, higher density can be achieved in mid-rise(4 to 5
story) and even low rise (2 to 3 story) residential areas.
Higher density areas can be successful places with a
range of housing types, good space standards and an
attractive public realm.
Higher-density schemes should pay particular

consideration to the following:
Figure 47. Density and height
 Context – Density needs to be appropriate to
context. This does not mean that density should
always be the same as in the surrounding area,
vi. Movement and Road Networks
but sharp breaks in scale are to be avoided.
 Quality of the public realm – A legible, safe and
Density needs to be related to traffic flows, and in turn
stimulating public realm should not be sacrificed
for ‘lack of space’. to street hierarchy. It is important to create places that
 Parking – Accommodate adequate and are easy to get to and easy to move through. Below are
appropriate car parking to meet the needs of the the main criteria in designing for movement in street
users, without dominating streetscapes with networks:
parked cars.
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 Density should be highest where access to

public transport is best,
 Roads, footpaths and public spaces should be
connected and the most well-used routes should
follow daily routes (home to work, home to civic
and recreational etc.)
 Ease of accessibility should be of ensured, for all
transport modes (pedestrians, cyclists, private
car, public transport)
 Direct routes that lead to where people want to
go should be maximized,
 Path redundancy, alternative routes, should be
provided where possible.
(below) The XIXth century bouvleerds cut into medieval Paris fabric
Figure 48.the flexibility of grids by Haussmann increased connectivity and changed the image of
the city
Different densities in orthogonal grids, depending on height

requirements. Barcelona (above), Manhattan, South Central Park
(at right)
150
vii. Street Networks and Connectivity

Table 6. Connectivity summary
Pattern Connectivity Case in Ethiopia
Finely meshed grids offer many different ways to

get from place to place within the grid.
Coarser grids offer fewer ways.
If the grid becomes discontinuous through the

severing of connections and the creation of dead
ends, permeability is reduced.
Within coarsely meshed grids, there is low

connectivity inside parcels
The lowest connectivity is in ‘tree’ or ‘ladder’ Not yet widespread in Ethiopia

configuration, which creates isolated enclaves,
where there is practically no linkage between
neighbourhoods apart from main roads.
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viii. Street Hierarchy

Table 7. Street hierarchy summary
Carrying capacity Typical street sections / viz. land use and building typology Examples in Ethiopia
Primary distributor  Main roads providing connections across the city.
 Often constitute barriers to pedestrians
 Overpasses and underpasses are often not safe for
pedestrians
District /  Boulevards and avenues. Formal. Generous public space


NeighbourhoodDistributor
Are usually public transport thoroughfares
 Can create problems if parking is insufficient or inadequately
handled
Local Distributor  High street, mixed use, intense use.

 Often integrates public transport
Access Road  Residential Street and Square.

 Corner treatment and street design to encourage traffic
calming (curved streets, choking, speed bumps etc.)
 Landscaping
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Cul de sac  Locally shared semi-public space.

 No through traffic.
 Often shared by neighbours for children’s playground.
ix. Topography and Climate
It is strongly recommended to work with the topography: in designing street networks, in the orientation of plots,
and in the placement of buildings and landmarks.
Table 8.topography and climate summary
Element
Topography
The first task is to observe the form of the terrain – flat,
gently rolling, hilly or mountainous – in relation to the types
of buildings land uses and character of your design.
 A flat site may suggest either vertical architecture

or assertive horizontals.
 A slightly hilly site may call for vertical architecture
at the summits, or may suggest a termination of
architecture just below the crests.
 A steep hillside or valley may lend itself to
terracing, with orientation to the sun.
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Wind
The speed and direction of wind is affected by the height
and form of buildings and their relative positioning from
each other.
 Sectional effect
 Long building block effect
 Short building block effect
 Building form effect

 Planar effect
Solar Exposure
It is important to look into land use, street pattern of and
the height of buildings while trying to design a urban fabric
in relation to solar radiation. Where shade is required, use
street sections above 1/1 in height to width ratio (2/1 etc.),
and angle them roughly 45Owith respect to solar plane axis
Cooling
 Street orientation – wind cooling can be achieved in the hot season: orient the street network so that many streets parallel
the direction of cooling winds
 Cooling can be improved by combining vegetation cover, surface water, building height, street alignment, and the choice
of building materials.
 Avoid orienting streets parallel to the direction of seasonally dominant winds, if wind shelter is required, such as from hot
desert winds, or seasonal blizzards. At least 15O of difference in angle is required.
 Wind barriers can be added.
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4. Shaping Urban Space
i. Street design elements

Figure 49; examples of street section segmenting
A clearly identified walkway that gives the pedestrians the opportunity to choose the walking area. This clear
delineation is required to create a pedestrianized environment. The overlap between pedestrian walking and cycling
can be allowed where additional width is unavailable. In all cases this area should not be utilized for other built up
purposes. Street furniture should have a clear allocation from the other elements that does not interfere with the
passersby.
Every street design should incorporate the design of building frontage, at least at the ground floor, to facilitate the
155
transition of pedestrians from the most public to private spaces.

Wherever practical, tree planting within street areas should be considered.
Possible Composition of Streets

As long as the elements of the street are present their positioning might vary from place to place to the kind of
environment that is needed to establish. Below are some of the possible arrangements.
Figure 50. Examples of parking solutions
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Table 9. Summary of street design elements
Element Character Recommendation

Frontage This section of the street is Street design should incorporate
found when the street is in a building frontage to facilitate the
built up area. Non-existent if transition of pedestrians from public to
streets are without adjacent private spaces.
buildings.
Pedestrian Walking Should be provided on all A clearly identified walkway that gives
streets, including urban the pedestrians the opportunity to
highways, bridges and choose the walking area is a way
tunnels. forward in creating a pedestrianized
environment.
Street furnishing This is an important element It should have a distinct space from the
that enhances the usability of other elements so that it does not
streets by pedestrians. interfere with the passersby.
Cycling Even though is it not the The overlap between pedestrian
culture of most of Ethiopian walking and cycling can be a tolerable
cities, it is something that can scenario. But this area should not be
be initiated. Until then the utilized for other purposes.
space can be used as multi
functioning area
Public Transport Unless the transit stops are The transit areas should be designed
stops designed together with the site specific parallel to existing and
streets, vehicular traffic upcoming transport load.
cannot be managed.
On street parking Design an appropriate street section,
with a minimum of width if 1,8 m per
parking space (lane), and with one tree
per parking space recommended.
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Megala – regular in shape,

ii. Blocks andEnclosure variable in dimension
No clear size of block but
Block Sizes – Small vs. Big regular in shape –
depends on the layout of
To consider the optimum block size important factors streets
should be considered;
- Ease of access,
- The ability to sustain a variety of building types MelkaJebdu - Mix of different
and uses, and block sizes
- Flexibility to adapt change.
A useful rule of thumb is that block widths of 80-90m Rectangular blocks with depths of (say) 110m are more
enable this trade-off to be achieved in a variety of comfortably able to accommodate larger buildings, such
different urban locations and circumstances, reducing as factories and warehouses, without exposing rear /
to 60-80m in town/city centres. side walls. These may therefore be more appropriate in
Below are some of the block sizes that exist within Dire certain circumstances, such as on the fringes (or
Dawa city ‘transition zones’) of town/city
Kezira – regular in shape and dimension centres.
Majority of blocks are –

60m x 65-70m – close to Periphery - Small Grain
becoming a square, Smallgrainsof30mx30m,
Square blocks are generally
thought to offer the most
flexible basis for Periphery - Irregular
accommodating a range of Irregular blocks can be
commercial and residential moulded to respond to
buildings and more options for topography and the creation of
internal treatment. focal points such as greens or
squares with building
frontages that need not be
parallel.
158
ratio of 1:1 is often considered the minimum for

comfortable urban streets
Building Enclosure High Streets , Ratio of 1:3 to 1:1.5
It is the three dimensional mass of each building which If the ratio is 1:2 the peripheral glimpses
defines the public realm. Building elevations and the of sky equal the amount of visual field
cross-sections of public spaces should therefore be devoted to the street wall. A ratio of between 1:2 and
scaled to foster a sense of urbanism so that streets, 1:2.5 provides a good sense of enclosure in a street.
squares and parks are defined by appropriately scaled Avenue or Boulevard 1:5 1:4
buildings fronting onto them. A space can be enclosed
either by a building (1) or a tree canopy (2) or a building In an avenue or boulevard, with a 1:4 ratio, there is
height (3) or a recessed line (4). three times as much sky as wall within the range of
vision, giving a weak sense of enclosure. These ratios
The following height to width enclosure ratio serves as are more fitting for large public squares. It is
a guide in determining the type of space created in recommended to not use ratios above 1:6 for either
between the enclosing walls. broad streets or squares, as the sense of enclosure is
lost.
Narrow streets
If the surrounding building height exceeds the width of
1:1 ratio - One way and cul-de-sac streets
the space then the tops of buildings will no longer be
visible without looking up. Such ratios will reduce light
penetration into the space.
In combination with other street profiles, however, they
1:3 ratio – Generally effective can create dramatic contrast and are used where
reciprocal shading of buildings is required, or in central
areas of high density.
1:6 ratio – Maximum squares (+very wide streets)

One Way Streets, Ratio of 1:1.5 to 1:1
A street wall height that equals the street width limits
any sky view and gives a strong sense of enclosure. A
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Building depth
Table 10. Building depth variants
<9m Too shallow for a central corridor and

limited flexibility in internal planning,
9 - 13m Provides naturally lit and ventilated space

= OPTIMUM ROBUSTNESS
14 -15m Sub-division is still facilitated, but some artificial ventilation and more
artificial lighting is required,
16 – 22m plus More energy intensive, though a double-aspect cellular form is possible
with the insertion of an atrium/light well, giving a block width of up to 40
m.
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iii. Public Open Space
It is important to provide variety of open space types, and to configure each as a place. Recognizable to residents as
well as to visitors, and having a variety of simultaneous public uses throughout the day.
Providing open space should not be a numbers game involving the developer providing a certain percentage of open
space. But rather it should be in the creation of best- loved urban parks and gardens which are often intimate in scale
and well cared for; it is the quality rather than the quality. They should be:
a. Accessed by all either for 24/7 or limited time frame depending on the land use of the area,
b. Should incorporate supplementary functions
c. Should create a network of public places and spaces.
A network of public places

Public open space is a network of,
1. The Green – referring to the soft surface of green cover either is a grass land, vegetation or woodland/forest.
2. The Blue and – the water element is combined in the public open space.
3. The Grey – referring to the hard surface of the asphalted road/street, plazas and/or squares with hard surface
finish, parking lots, etc
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Table 11.public open space typologies
Type Definition Illustration
Urban green corridors A network of green along the main axis roads,
their tributaries and access streets.
This can even be overlapped with public

transport (see image at right).
Urban Waterfront It includes lakes, ponds, rivers, canals and

streams, which offer recreational value and can
be used as movement corridors. Design for
pedestrians usually includes paving, seating,
lighting and landscaping in a unified concept.
Visual contact to the water is important, as well
as designating areas where boating, ferry
crossings or other water related activities can
be based.
162
Urban Woodland Forested areas left in the natural state in

urbanized regions. Sometimes designated as a
nature reserve. They have restrictive rules
against construction. If need be research
facilities and other compatible low intensity land
use can be annexed to these areas.
Public park or Garden A formal, landscaped recreational space,

usually surrounded by denser residential and/or
commercial fabric. Urban parks and gardens
are typically accompanied with supplementary
functions (e.g. restaurants, min shops, etc.) for
efficient usage.
Square A formal public space, no larger than a block.

Can be located at focal points of civic
importance fronted by key buildings, usually
hard paved and providing passive recreation.
163
Piazza / Plaza A public space associated with the extended

forecourt of commercial (office/retail) buildings,
with formal landscaping.
Playing fields Open space formally laid out for active

recreation, such as football. It also provides
children’s play filed, sitting-out areas and other
related functions. Management/ ownership can
be shared between schools, the wider
community and others to ensure facilities are
well used.
Cemeteries, religious Located adjacent to religious areas providing a

Grounds green background at the heart of a community.
it is not customary to use cemetery grounds for
public use but can be considered as one
resource of green (not mineralized) urban area.
164
Playgrounds A small area dedicated for children play that is

fenced and located within close walking
distance to nearby houses. It can also have
sitting-out areas serving the community
Stairs Stairways in urban settings are also an

occasion for public urban space.
Pedestrianized fortifications The space at the foot of fortifications, ruins etc.

Can be redesigned as a pedestrianized and
park like space, without detriment to the historic
construction.
165
iv. Piazzas and Squares
Piazzas and squares - should be seen in conjunction

with the built-up structures for they serve the users
nearby. Effective piazzas and squares are used for
simultaneous activities (shopping, social meeting,
recreational, public -events etc.) for the entire day, and
often on a 24 hour cycle in the busiest areas.
Piazzas and public squares are often conceived in
relation to each other, creating series or sequences of
public space shaping and giving identity to the urban
fabric. Below is an image of the Opera neighbourhood
in the centre of Paris. Note the many and varied forms
of the public squares. The darker lines are covered
pedestrian shopping galleries, further increasing
pedestrian connectivity and available commercial
frontage.
166
Figure 51.Examples of Squares – Paris, XVII-th to XIX-th centuries

Place Royale
The space is enclosed on all four
sides with porticoes today
converted to shopping galleries.
The centre is shaded and is still
intensely used. To note that at
its time of construction, this was
a for-profit development, gains
accruing from sale of apartments
Place Dauphine
is aresidential square, with a
semi-public use. The trapezoidal
plan creates the sensation of a
larger square than actiual
dimensions. The axial voiew is
towards the Pont Neuf (new
bridge) and the royal statue
placed to close the perspecdtive.
Place Concorde
This is a much biger square, with
significant traffic, and avery open
section (over 1/6). The obelisk
serves to centre the space. It
also marks an axial perspective
towards the Place de la
Madelaine.
Place de la Madeleine
This time the space is cented
around the large building of the
Madelaine church, while
remaining a traffic junction.
167
v. Corners
Corners can also be emphasized The examples are from 1930s
Corners are visually prominent, have two frontages and can in more modern architectural modern style and art deco
potentially offer more entrances to different parts of the solutions buildings worldwide
building. Corners are best emphasized by incorporating (Bucharest, Barcelona, Paris,
prominent entrances and/or windows at the apex, expressing Shanghai)
the height by, for instance, using a
‘mansion block’ of apartments.
Figure 52. Examples of Corner Treatment
The ‘cut corner’ (pan coupé) of Corner treatment can include

XIXth century architecture opens public decorative and
up the field of view in squares sculptural elements, historic
markers
168
c. On the plot, parking within the building

d. Semi-public (shared) or public surface parking.
e. Shared or public parking in special purpose
buildings, such as for shopping malls, train stations,
airports, large office buildings.
On street parking must be calculated and accommodated
with the design of street sections.
Off street parking (in open air parking lots, or in parking
structures, either incorporated into buildings, such as in the
basement floors of office buildings; or in purpose built
parking structures - e.g. for airports, large shopping malls
etc) must be calculated in accord with building use
(shopping, office etc. and integrated with urban regulation).
Overall:
vi. Junctions  Keep parking behind the main access road or at the
basement or allocate certain floors of a building for
The arrangement of a junction will always depend on the car parking. If there is the need to use the frontage of
local context and the amount of pedestrian and vehicle traffic the street for parking, design a different street section
that roads are expected to carry. But in general terms, tight to accommodate cars maintaining the character of
corners with restricted sight lines have a major traffic the overall setting.
calming effect.  Typically dense, mixed-use areas require a
The layout of building and junction should broadly follow the combination of parking options. Requirements of
principles shown below: parking within buildings significantly raise
- Close overlooking & supervision of spaces around construction costs, and should be used sparingly.
the path Condominium housing often ignores or under
- Street lighting to adoptable standards dimensions parking.
- Separation of planting buffers and boundary
enclosures. General Rules in Designing Parking Area
 Parking should be provided on the access roads. It
slows traffic, increases the number of pedestrians
vii. Parking
moving along a street, and encourages street-
oriented development. Moreover, parked vehicles act
as a physical barrier between pedestrians and
Parking can be provided, and required, as: moving cars and thus provide a sense of safety.
a. On street parking, with shade  Parking should not dominate the pedestrian realm
b. On the plot, surface parking but should be balanced with other uses,
169
 b. Parking lanes should be narrow. A width of Signage &way finding– the major objective of signage is
1.8 or to make urban space legible and orient the user towards the
2.1 meters is possible and sufficient; 2.5 meters is specific need.
generous and 2.7 meters is the maximum, Design and placement of signing and way finding should be
consistent.
Where an access way has two parking lanes, widening  Avoid interfering with pedestrian travel; do not locate
either the median or the sidewalk at intersections may help signs in the through zones,
pedestrians. The presence of such a bulb or “neck” makes it  No signs or advertising structures shall be placed
easier for pedestrians to cross the access lane, and it slows within 10 meters of junctions,
cars that are entering or leaving it.  Minimize sign clutter,
 Avoid conflicts with underground utilities.
viii. Landscaping and Street

Furniture
In order to enhance the distinctiveness of public spaces,
streets and squares, the following factors should be
considered.
Street Furniture
These include elements like;
Dustbins, benches, public transport stops, bicycle racks,
lighting fixtures etc. but also signs and billboards.
– make sure that the elements of street furniture are from the
same ‘family of forms’, and also are coherent with materials
used for pavement.
Lighting – illuminate the scene
Lighting should serve both vehicles and pedestrians;
focus should be given to pedestrians.
Fit Art to Public Places - this gives a sense of place,
aids orientation, and serves community memory.
Landscaping–it is important to remember that trees
grow over time.
170
Figure 53. Examples of Landscaping and Street Furniture Paris tramway. Note how tjhere is a design unity between the various
elements of urban furniture such as pedestrian barriers, shelter, public
lighting, pavement
Great tree in Gondar is used as public bench. Unity of nature, memory and
public use.
Lyon, Rhone river promenade. The space, which used to be parking,

benefitted from a landscaping project including all elements of urban
furniture.
Design for public space in Nimes, France. Unity between green, water,
stonework and furniture. This space, between two busy streets, is read as
a small park in the centre of the city.
171
The metro statins of Paris in the early XXth century, in durable cast
iron ix. Entrances, Arcades, Porticoes
Famous art
nouveau Entrances to building greatly contribute to determining
architect and neighbourhood character. It is important to identify their
designer Hector
Guimard was
dimensional and decorative characteristics in order to
commissioned to integrate newer design in older areas, including
design the heritage areas.
stations, which Entrances on corners are common in some older
followed a set fabrics, as are strong cornice lines at several heights
catalogue of
forms
along the facades.
Public buildings are often set apart by arcades or
porticoes, often at a larger scale to emphasize the
Park bench; Jardin des Plantes, Paris building’s symbolic importance.
A similar color is
used to the old
metro stations
(see above). The
material is
modern
stanoless steel.
The design is
simplified.
Bus terminal, Germany

Public lighting Is
used with a
cumulative effect
and serves as a
signal or
landmark.
Pittsburgh, City-County building
172
Figure 54. Entrance treatment

Art deco entrances, 1930s, Paris
Smith Street Pittsburgh
x. Traffic Calming
In areas where there is significant pedestrian traffic

(including for instance at pedestrian crossing near a
school or high school) traffic calming is necessary. This
can be done in various ways, such as:
a) Speed tables-areramped,flat-toppedraisedareas,
75-100 mm high,
b) Raised crossings- are speed tables marked
forpedestrian crossing, built to curb height (150
mm), or slightly lower,
c) Achoker- is any specific narrowing of the street
which causes drivers to slow and negotiate with
oncoming traffic. A one-lane choker reduces a
two lane street to one-lane.
d) Winding streets – even a slight break or turn in
the road every 250 to 300 meters will prevent
drivers picking up speed in residential areas.
e) Reduce visibility at junctions - the arrangement
of a junction will always depend on the local
context and the amount of pedestrian and
vehicle traffic that roads are expected to carry. In
general terms, in residential areas with moderate
traffic, car traffic, tight corners with restricted
sight lines have an important traffic calming
effect.
173
Figure 55. Raised pedestrian crossing in Abu Dhabi
174
xi. Safety space in mixed commercial and office environments

needs to be residential in order to generate enough
Maintaining a sense of safety in public space is a key pedestrian traffic at night.
factor determining people’s choice of walking and d) Ensure sidewalks, crossings and public buildings
cycling. To design safe and secure streets, the are all accessible for users with disabilities and/or
following fundamental aspects should be considered. for parents with baby carriages. Ramps for the
a) Ensure uniform street lighting for night time safety, physically handicapped should not exceed a 5%
b) Ensure a clear demarcation of pedestrian movement gradient.
from vehicular access. e) Avoid creating pedestrian spaces that have no
c) Allow pedestrian traffic and automobile traffic in windows of neighbouring houses facing onto them,
commercial areas in the evening. More activity is or where the windows are too far for social control to
generated, and a more crowded area will tend to be effective.
provide natural surveillance. However, international
experience shows that a minimum of 20% of floor
Figure 56. Pedestrian Safety
Galleries, passages, narrow lanes or alleys should be in areas of I

intense pedestrian circulation, and well lit
175
176

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Ministry of Urban Development &Housing

URBAN DESIGN MANUAL

3 Contents and Procedures for Urban Design Plans...................................................47

3.3.4 Responsible Body __________________________________________________________________ 86

4 Adaptations and Requirements........................................................................................ 94

5 Zoning and Urban Regulations ........................................................................................100

Endnote on Writing Urban Regulation __________________________________________________________ 118

APPENDIX A. REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................121

Figure 29. The flexibility of the grid to rapid change................................................................................................... 132

MoI Ministry of Industry

The scale of the urban design is increasingly important, because urbanization in

1.3 Rationale: The need for an Urban DesignManual

1.5 For Whom is the Manual Intended

1.6 How to Use the Manual

1.7 Structure of the Manual

2.1 Definition of Important Terms and Concepts

2.1.1 Urban Design

• Over the long term, it acts as a basis for

• Focal points - Focal points are

various dimensions namely: morphological, perceptual, temporal, functional, social, and

2.1.2 Scale and Type of Urban Design

1. Synthetic gestures (Acupuncture intervention)

2.2 Benchmarking International Experience

2.2.1 Purpose and Criteria for Selecting Urban Design Practices

2.2.2 United States of America: Louisiana -East Baton Rouge City

Basic Principles of East baton Rouge Urban Design Manual

The Urban design levels discussed are

• Urban Design Level One:

• Urban Design Level Four: Commercial/Mixed-Use and Residential

Source: Urban Design Reference Manual, East Baton Rouge Parish

Urban Design Urban Design Levels

Encourage path level

refuge islands to reduce

parking lots to achieve

Source:Urban Design Reference Manual, East Baton Rouge Parish, 2012

Elements of Urban Design in East Baton Rouge Parish

2.2.3 England: Southampton City Centre Urban Design Strategy

Vision and Aspiration of Urban Design Strategy of Southampton

Urban Design Frameworks of Southampton

Urban Design Themes Developed for Southampton City Centre

THEME 2: Reconnecting the Waterfront

how the city is read by people on the ground.

2.2.4 India: Le Corbusier’s Chandigarh.

Urban Design Elements Provided By Le Corbusier – Chandigarh City

2.2.5 South Africa: Century City Urban Design Framework

Urban Design Rationale of Century City

General Design Guidelines

• The Open Space System

2.2.6 Lessons Learnt

experiences of the two countries.

2.3 Benchmarking Local Experiences

2.3.1 Urban Design Practices and Gaps in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa: Around National Theatre

Figure 2: National Theatre Area

• Wide Avenue (Churchill Street) with

• Islands with palm trees: the roundabout

• Landmark: Lion statue: the basic

• Well integrated and naturally shaded parking: the