Mapua University

ARCHITECTURE, INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

& THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT (ARIDBE)
2nd Semester, AY 2022-2023

Intro. to Urban Design and

Community Architecture

&
Module 1: Week 1

AR173-1P

Community Architecture
Dr. Edgar M. Chavez, UAP, PIEP
Architect/Urban Planner/Consultant
Outline of Presentation
§ Introduction to Urban Design
and Community Architecture
§ Definitions of Terms
§ Planning Framework in the Philippines
REM 433:

Module 0: Week 1
 Intro. to Urban Design & Comm. Arch.

Definition of Terms
1. Urban
Community Architecture?
2. Urban Design
REM 433:

3. Community
4. Architecture
Module 0: Week 1
 Intro. to Urban Design & Comm. Arch.
Definition of Terms
What is Urban?
q Urban is city.
q An urban area is the region surrounding a city.
Most inhabitants of urban areas have non-agricultural jobs.
Community Architecture?
q Urban areas are very developed, meaning there is a density of
REM 433:

human structures such as houses, commercial buildings,

roads, bridges, and railways.

q Urban area can refer to towns, cities, and suburbs. An urban

Module 0: Week 1
area includes the city itself, as well as the surrounding areas.
Many urban areas are called metropolitan areas (Ex. Metro
Manila, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, Clark City, BGC, etc.)
 Intro. to Urban Design & Comm. Arch.
Definition of Terms
What is Urban Design?
q Urban Design….. is an integral part of urban planning.
q The skills of an urban designer is that of an urban planner.
q The process of urban design is that of urban planning.
Community Architecture? q The mode of implementing urban design is identical to that
of urban plans.
REM 433:

q Urban design focus on the aesthetic , the appearance of the

place.

Module 0: Week 1
 Urban Design
REM 433:

Module 0: Week 1
 Urban Design (BGC)
REM 433:

Module 0: Week 1
 Urban Design (Rockwell Center)
REM 433:

Module 0: Week 1
 Urban Design (Nuvali, Laguna)
REM 433:

Module 0: Week 1
 Urban Design (Clark Green City)
REM 433:

Module 0: Week 1
 Urban Design (Clark Green City)
REM 433:

Module 0: Week 1
 Intro. to Urban Design & Comm. Arch.
Definition of Terms
What is Community?
q Community (or social space) … can be defined as the
common space, the public space which links private spaces
to each other.
Community Architecture?
q It is the “glue’ of the society and the most important
REM 433:

mediums through which we relate individual to the

community and through which we develop an
understanding of social organization.
Module 0: Week 1
q Community as a space is a place through which an urban
system is experienced and understood.
 Intro. to Urban Design & Comm. Arch.
Definition of Terms
What is Community Architecture?

Community architecture is a practice that

contributes to creating awareness in society,
Community Architecture? involving the users in its design process, and
REM 433:

making them differentiate between their needs

and aspirations. This process gives the users the
Module 0: Week 1
authority to claim their environment around
them, as they play a vital role in designing.
 Intro. to Urban Design & Comm. Arch.
Definition of Terms
What is Community Architecture?

"The aim of community architecture is to

Community Architecture? improve the quality of the environment by
REM 433:

involving people in the design and

management of the buildings and spaces
they inhabit."
Module 0: Week 1
 Community (Public Spaces)
REM 433:

Module 0: Week 1
 Community (Divisoria, Manila)
REM 433:

Module 0: Week 1
 Community (Subdivision)
REM 433:

Module 0: Week 1
Community (Informal Settlements)
Community (Informal Settlements)
 Planning Framework in the Philippines
Hierarchy of Planning Regional Macro Planning
Planning (Highly Economics)
Regional Planning
(Ex., CALABARZON)

Urban Planning Urban Planning Semi-Macro Planning

(Ex., Metro Manila) (Economics, Physical)

Urban Design Urban Design

REM 433:

(Ex., BGC, Rockwell) Micro Planning

Community (Physical/Aesthetics)
Architecture Community
Architecture
(Ex., Baseco, Ayala Triangle, Manila Zoo)
Architecture
Architecture
(Ex., Victoria Sports Tower)
 Mapua University
ARCHITECTURE, INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
& THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT (ARIDBE)
2nd Semester, AY 2022-2023

Socio-Cultural Basis
of Urban Design &

&
Community Architecture
Module 1: Week 2
AR173-1P

Community Architecture
Dr. Edgar M. Chavez, UAP, PIEP
Architect/Urban Planner/Consultant
Socio-Cultural Basis of Urban Design
& Community Architecture

q Urban areas are often described as 'engines of growth.’

q Still, the promise of poverty reduction and development will not be realized if
the focus remains purely on the economy and returns on investment.
q The social and cultural aspects of urban life — how different groups in society
can engage with, contribute to and benefit from what towns and cities have to
offer — are equally important.
q This 'use value' of towns and cities must be recognized, protected and
nurtured — as a contribution not only to the fundamental well-being of urban
dwellers in its own right but to productive and livable urban societies.
Socio-Cultural Basis of Urban Design
& Community Architecture

q Urban design, or the art of building cities, is the method by which

man creates a built environment that fulfills his aspirations and
represents his values.

q The city, therefore, is an element of people's spiritual and physical

culture. It is also one of the highest expressions of that culture, an
essential part of society.
Socio-Cultural Basis of Urban Design
& Community Architecture

Man, and his values,

aspirations, and
power or ability are
central to urban
studies. The task of
the city builder is to
understand man's
needs and
aspirations and
express this in-built
form.
Socio-Cultural Basis of Urban Design
& Community Architecture

q The built environment can facilitate

the gathering of people and encourage
collective uses and the practice of
different cultures.

q Fostering social interaction and

recognition of the diverse cultural
practices within cities enable mutual
understanding and respect.

q Social encounters in public space and

the experience of sharing the same
urban condition, as users of the built
environment, reinforce the feeling of
safety and community.

q All of these contribute to greater social

cohesion.
Socio-Cultural Basis of Urban Design
& Community Architecture

q An added challenge is to ensure that built environments address

safety in all its dimensions, including safety from crime and
violence, as well as protection from natural disasters and
environmental hazards caused by air and water pollution, lack of
sanitation and industrial accidents.
Socio-Cultural Basis of Urban Design
& Community Architecture

q The challenge related to migration q Migration is a global phenomenon that is

and displacement today is to make transforming countries, cities and towns
towns and cities a place where new around the world.
arrivals of people can contribute,
with their labor and culture, to
urban development.
Aesthetic and Order
§ Planning the built-environment from the aesthetics perspective entail
considering design concepts and theories emphasizing on ambience, order,
character, image, symbolic significance and cultural aspects.
Principles of Urban Design
§ Context § Creativity
§ Character § Custodianship
§ Choice § Collaboration
§ Connections
Principles of Urban Design Custodianship
Context Character Choice Connections Creativity Collaboration

see reflect ensure ensure encoura ensure commun

buildings, and diversity design in ge the icate and
,places enhance and environ innovati design is share
and the choice for mentally, ve and environ knowled
spaces as distinctive people sustaina imaginat mentally ge
part of ble, safe ive sustaina across
whole and solutions ble, safe sectors,
towns and healthy and professio
cities healthy ns and
commun
ities
Context

see
buildings,
,places
and
spaces as
part of
whole
towns and
cities

Urban Buildings (BGC, Taguig)

Context

see
buildings,
,places
and
spaces as
part of
whole
towns and
cities

Urban Buildings (BGC, Taguig)

Context

see
buildings,
,places
and
spaces as
part of
whole
towns and
cities

Urban Buildings (BGC, Taguig)

Context

see
buildings,
,places
and
spaces as
part of
whole
towns and
cities

Urban Spaces
Context

see
buildings,
,places
and
spaces as
part of
whole
towns and
cities

Urban Spaces
Context

see
buildings,
,places
and
spaces as
part of
whole
towns and
cities

Urban Spaces
Context

see
buildings,
,places
and
spaces as
part of
whole
towns and
cities

Urban Places
Context

see
buildings,
,places
and
spaces as
part of
whole
towns and
cities

Urban Places, Roxas Boulevard

Context

see
buildings,
,places
and
spaces as
part of
whole
towns and
cities

Urban Places, Luneta Park Grounds

Context

see
buildings,
,places
and
spaces as
part of
whole
towns and
cities

Urban Places, Divisoria, Manila

Character

reflect
and
enhance
the
distinctive

Fort Santiago – Walled City of Intramuros, Manila

Character

reflect
and
enhance
the
distinctive

Fort Santiago – Walled City of Intramuros, Manila

Character

reflect
and
enhance
the
distinctive
Character

reflect
and
enhance
the
distinctive

Ayala Avenue, Makati City

Character

reflect
and
enhance
the
distinctive
Character

reflect
and
enhance
the
distinctive
Character

reflect
and
enhance
the
distinctive
Character

reflect
and
enhance
the
distinctive
Character

reflect
and
enhance
the
distinctive

Clark Green City Phase 1

Connections
Tools and strategies to consider on intra-city connectivity

§ Actively manage public perception on

the impacts of regional connections.
§ Link poor to prosperity.
ensure § Analyze underlying socio-economic
design in
environ factors.
mentally, § Connect nodes that contribute to
sustaina
ble, safe regional growth.
and
healthy
Connections

ensure
design in
environ
mentally,
sustaina
ble, safe
and
healthy
Connections

ensure
design in
environ
mentally,
sustaina
ble, safe
and
healthy
Creativity

encourage
innovative
and
imaginative
solutions
Creativity
§ Creativity can be used in urban projects to help remove
stakeholder objections and local administrative obstacles.
Finding strategic, creative allies for launching, developing and
implementing projects urban development is an essential
dimension of creative local policies.
encourage
innovative
and § Developing culture-based strategies for social inclusion can
imaginative meet criteria for sustainable development, and demonstrate
solutions
competitiveness, when implemented efficiently. Careful
screening of projects or strategies, to see whether they
meet all courses of action, will help to identify appropriate
innovations.
Creativity

encourage
innovative
and
imaginative
solutions
Creativity

encourage
innovative
and
imaginative
solutions
Creativity

encourage
innovative
and
imaginative
solutions
Creativity

encourage
innovative
and
imaginative
solutions
Creativity

encourage
innovative
and
imaginative
solutions
Creativity

encourage
innovative
and
imaginative
solutions
Creativity

encourage
innovative
and
imaginative
solutions
Creativity

encourage
innovative
and
imaginative
solutions
Creativity

encourage
innovative
and
imaginative
solutions
Creativity

encourage
innovative
and
imaginative
solutions
Creativity

encourage
innovative
and
imaginative
solutions
Creativity

encourage
innovative
and
imaginative
solutions
Creativity

encourage
innovative
and
imaginative
solutions
Creativity

encourage
innovative
and
imaginative
solutions
Custodianship
q It recognizes that communities,
environments and cities are
continually evolving and
adapting.

q It considers the wider

environmental, social and
economic costs and benefits of
development, operations,
maintenance and disposal.

q It ensures that the design of a

place is appropriate for its
ongoing maintenance,
operations and upkeep.

q It incorporates strategies to
reduce and adapt to climate
change.
Collaboration

commun
icate and
share
knowled
ge
across
sectors,
professi
ons and
commun
ities
Collaboration
§ When stakeholders can reach any other team member or a group of
team members on a real-time basis on a platform designed to
accommodate such features, you have achieved social collaboration.

§ It is a form of collaboration where stakeholders can rely on reaching

commun
icate and consensus quickly on any problem and finding a solution using the
share
knowled team’s collective expertise instead of depending on their own limited
ge skillset.
across
sectors,
professi
ons and § Over time, this will prove to be one of an organization’s greatest
commun strengths.
ities
Collaboration

commun
icate and
share
knowled
ge
across
sectors,
professi
ons and
commun
ities
Collaboration

commun
icate and
share
knowled
ge
across
sectors,
professi
ons and
commun
ities
Collaboration

commun
icate and
share
knowled
ge
across
sectors,
professi
ons and
commun
ities
Collaboration

commun
icate and
share
knowled
ge
across
sectors,
professi
ons and
commun
ities
Collaboration

commun
icate and
share
knowled
ge
across
sectors,
professi
ons and
commun
ities
 Mapua University
ARCHITECTURE, INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
& THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT (ARIDBE)
2nd Semester, AY 2022-2023

Context, Orientation and

Identity in Urban Design
(Part 1)

& Module 1: Week 3

AR173-1P

Community Architecture
Dr. Edgar M. Chavez, UAP, PIEP
Architect/Urban Planner/Consultant
Context, Orientation and Identity
▪ Urban design is an integral and essential part of architecture and the process of
place-making.
▪ Local character is one of the generators of urban design.
▪ Virtually every manifesto, character, normative theory or statement of design
principles advocates for maintaining or enhancing local character.
Context, Orientation and Identity
Urban Identity
▪ The desire for coherence in neighborhood character underpins design controls in
many parts of the city and towns.
▪ Urban design acknowledges the importance of character and its benefits for places
to have a different physical and social characteristics, which gives itself distinction.
▪ Character, then, describes the results when such qualities as density, connectivity,
scale, and function combine to create an easily recognizable identity.
▪ Character also describe the amalgam of features and combines built form with
the people and activities that occupy a particular location.
Context
▪ Context is the character and setting of the urban area.
▪ It embraces the natural and human history, the forms of human settlement,
buildings and spaces, its ecology and archeology, its location and routes that pass
through it.
▪ Context also includes people, the individuals living in or near the area, and how
communities are organized.
▪ Context is about understanding the position of development, and how to position
development.
▪ Context involves a range of consideration and participation, directly or indirectly.
▪ High quality places will only emerge if the approach is cohesive and inclusive.
Value of Urban Design
▪ Urban Design Priorities
1. Strengthen local communities
2. Creating places of distinction
3. Harnessing intrinsic site asset resource
4. Integrating with surrounding
5. Ensuring feasibility
6. Providing vision
Contextual Benefits of Urban Design
▪ A good urban design can offer significant to the community;
conversely, a poor design can have adverse effects on the urban
environment, society and economy.

▪ Good urban design sometimes costs more upfront, long-term cost can
be avoided by proper planning and decision-making.
Contextual Benefits of Urban Design
▪ Communities value a better quality of life that good urban design can
deliver.
▪ Urban design can affect peoples’ ability and willingness to undertake
physical exercise: good design can offer health benefits.
▪ Urban design can help make town and cities safer and more secure.
 Mapua University
ARCHITECTURE, INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
& THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT (ARIDBE)
2nd Semester, AY 2022-2023

Sense of Place and Sense of

Time in Urban Design
(Part 2)

& Module 1: Week 3

AR173-1P

Community Architecture
Dr. Edgar M. Chavez, UAP, PIEP
Architect/Urban Planner/Consultant
Creation of Sense of Place
and Sense of Time
▪ Sense of place refers to the emotive bonds and attachments people develop or
experience in particular locations and environments, at scales ranging from the
home to the nation.

▪ Sense of place is also used to describe the distinctiveness or unique character of

particular localities and regions.

▪ Sense of place can refer to positive bonds of comfort, safety, and well-being
engendered by place, home, and dwelling, as well as negative feelings of fear,
dysphoria, and place lessness.
Creation of Sense of Place
and Sense of Time
▪ The concept of sense of place has served an important role in debate in human
geography over the past 30 years.

▪ When first introduced, the concept drew attention to the often-subjective

nature of human environmental experience, as well as to the perceptual and
cognitive dimensions of those experiences.

▪ Sense of place remains a bridge among several subdisciplines, as well as a link

between humanistic and positivistic geographies.
Four Key Qualities of a
Successful Place
1. Access and linkages

▪ Access concerns how well a place is connected to its surroundings both

visually and physically.
▪ A successful public space is visible, easy to get to and around.
▪ Physical elements can affect access (a continuous row of shops along a
street is more interesting and generally safer to walk by than a blank wall
or empty lot), as can perceptions (the ability to see a public space from a
distance).
▪ Accessible public places have a high turnover in parking and, ideally,
convenient public transit.
Four Key Qualities of a
Successful Place
2. Comfort and image

▪ Comfort and image are key to whether a place will be used.

▪ Perceptions about safety and cleanliness, the context of adjacent
buildings, and a place's character or charm are often foremost in people's
minds—as are more tangible issues such as having a comfortable place to
sit.
▪ The importance of people having the choice to sit where they want is
generally underestimated.
Four Key Qualities of a
Successful Place
3. Uses and activities

▪ Activities that occur in a place—friendly social interactions, free public

concerts, community art shows, and more—are its basic building blocks:
they are the reasons why people come in the first place and why they
return.

▪ Activities also make a place special or unique, which, in turn, may help
generate community pride.
Four Key Qualities of a
Successful Place
4. Sociability

▪ This is a difficult but unmistakable quality for a place to achieve.

▪ When people see friends, meet and greet their neighbors, and feel
comfortable interacting with strangers, they tend to feel a stronger sense
of place or attachment to their community—and to the place that fosters
these types of social activities.
Place Diagram
▪ In evaluating thousands of public spaces around the world, successful
places have four key qualities in common: they are accessible; people
are engaged in activities there; the space is comfortable and has a
good image; and, finally, it is a sociable place - one where people meet
each other and take people when they come to visit.

▪ Place Diagram as a tool to help people in judging any place, good or

bad:
Place Diagram
Imagine the center circle on
the diagram is a specific place
that you know: a street
corner, playground, or plaza
outside a building. You can
evaluate that place according
to four criteria in the orange
ring. In the green ring are a
number of intuitive or
qualitative aspects by which
to judge a place; the blue
area shows the quantitative
aspects that can be measured
by statistics or research.
Sense of Place
Sense of Place
Sense of Place