URBAN DESIGN

2020
Yearbook

URBAN DESIGN
2020
http://www.seed.manchester.ac.uk/planning/
Edited and designed by:
Dr Taki Eddin Sonbli
Dr Philip Black

Publisher:
Planning and Environmental Management
University of Manchester

Cover image: Retrieved from The Urban Design Process (Black & Sonbli, 2019)

URBAN DESIGN
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any forms or
by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopy, recording or any
information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from
the publisher.
 Contents 3

1. INTRODUCTION 3

2. URBAN DESIGN AT UoM 5

3. URBAN DESIGN TOOLKIT 7

4. URBAN DESIGN APPLIED SKILLS 9

5. URBAN DESIGN STUDY TOUR 11

6. THE URBAN DESIGN PROCESS 13

7. PEGASUS GROUP AWARDS 15

8. LDA DESIGN DISSERTATION PRIZE 23

9. URBAN DESIGN STUDIO 27

10. URBAN DESIGN PROJECT 43

11. MASTERPLAN STUDIO 61

12. DESIGN DISSERTATIONS 77

13. 3D MODELLING 91

2 14. URBAN DESIGN GRADUATES 2019 99 3

 5

URBAN DESIGN YEARBOOK small selection of the submitted A MESSAGE

INTRODUCTION
2020 proposals and are intended to be As this Yearbook would not have
This Yearbook has been designed for illustrative purposes only. been possible without the hard
to showcase the urban design work of all the students involved,
project work from the MSc Urban The projects have been chosen by the urban design teaching team
Design & International Planning the urban design teaching team would like to take this opportunity
programme at University of here at Manchester to represent to thank each student, regardless
Manchester. All graphics are the most accomplished projects of inclusion in this document, for
student’s own work. and unfortunately due to space their energy, enthusiasm, and
constraints not all student work is willingness to engage and learn.
The Yearbook is divided into able to be included. Well done to all on a successful
project types based on the core year and we wish each and every
urban design modules that All images and graphics that appear in one of you success in your future
students undertake, covering this Yearbook are property of University careers!
proposals on neighbourhood of Manchester. Images and graphics
analysis; small city centre design may not be copied, printed, reproduced The Urban Design Team.
interventions; large/medium or otherwise disseminated without
scale masterplans; and research express written permission by the
focused design dissertation publishers.
projects. The graphics and images © University of Manchester 2020
from each student are only a

The Urban Design Studio

4 5
 7

URBAN DESIGN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER

Professional practitioners are displaying project work. Design TEACHING TEAM
also invited to run special studio projects are presented at A1. The urban design teaching
MSc URBAN DESIGN and technical knowledge within facilities, and state-of the art workshops – this year has seen team consists of academic
MSc Urban Design and the core software’s utilised in teaching screens and software. designers from Pegasus Group, MODELLING staff, technical staff and studio
International Planning at professional practice. OPEN, WYG, OMI Architects, Urban Design at University of assistants.
University of Manchester Design teaching takes place LDA Design, and URBED deliver Manchester also operates its own
is a 1 year [2 year P/T] fully THE DESIGN STUDIO predominately in the studio and specialised sessions. physical modelling workshop Programme Director &
RTPI accredited programme The university has a dedicated students work on their projects which students engage with a Lecturer in Urban Design
that focuses on a specialist studio space for urban design weekly under the supervision COMPUTER CLUSTERS different stages of the design Dr Philip Black
understanding of the students within the Humanities of the teaching team. Sessions Adjacent the urban design studio process. Examples of student
relationship between urban Bridgeford Street building that involve short interactive lectures, two computer suites operate the modelling work can be found Lecturers
design and planning and provides a consistent space to technical workshops, and applied latest design software’s free of use within the Yearbook. Mr Robert Phillips (Practitioner)
provides students with the core work on projects and collaborate project based examples in which for students. Software packages Dr Razieh Zandieh
competencies and knowledge with peers. Students are students work in groups to available include Adobe Creative INFORMATION
to specialise in the discipline of encouraged to work regularly in actively learn and develop core Suite (Ps, Ai, Id); Sketch-up, If you are interested in a career Technical Lead
urban design. the studio to engage in critique skills. Projects are also developed ArcGIS, and AutoCAD. Students in urban design and wish to find Dr Taki Eddin Sonbli
with fellow students. The studio in studio time and progress is are provided with a free year-long out more about the programme
The programme centres around space includes a full range of critiqued through a series of Adobe Creative Suite license. please visit: Studio Assistants
an applied studio-based equipment to assist in design design crits at key stages to allow www.manchester.ac.uk/planning Mr Alex Wharton
approach to teaching and and delivery including light students to receive feedback on PRINTING Or contact Programme Director Ms May Newisar
learning, equipping students boxes, drawing boards, technical analysis and ideas. Urban design students have full Dr Philip Black
with the fundamentals of design, equipment, panel boards to use of a dedicated A0+ plotter and philip.black@manchester.ac.uk
skills in design development and present work, personal storage trimmer for printing and
delivery across multiple scales,

6 7
 9
THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER URBAN DESIGN TOOLKIT

URBAN DESIGN TOOLKIT InDesign, Sketch-Up, and TOOLKIT AUTHORS

The urban design toolkit is a AutoCAD. It also has extensive Dr Taki Eddin Sonbli
bespoke series of hand-outs hand sketching/drawing and Mr Michael Martin
and videos designed to provide technical drawing guidance. Mr Robert Phillips
University of Manchester students This is a unique and invaluable Dr Philip Black
with a free to use accessible resource for students and is
resource to assist their urban continually being updated and TOOLKIT SERIES EDITOR
design software skills and develop added too. Dr Philip Black
their techniques in a wide range
of core urban design techniques, To compliment the toolkit TOOLKIT GRAPHICS EDITOR
approaches, and methods. The urban design students are also Dr Taki Eddin Sonbli
Toolkit offers students outside the provided with a series of technical
classroom learning opportunities workshops to develop their
in how to develop urban design competencies in the core design
analysis, ideas, and proposals. software. These workshops are
aimed at beginners and are
The toolkit includes simple to use designed to present how software
step-by-step guides through the is utilised in an urban design
core design software packages, professional practice setting.
including Illustrator, Photoshop,

9
 URBAN DESIGN APPLIED SKILLS 11

TECHNICAL SESSIONS TECHNICAL SUPPORT Course leaders

The urban design applied The urban design team here at Dr Taki Eddin Sonbli
technical skills sessions are University of Manchester has Dr Philip Black
a year-long series of bespoke a full-time Technical Officer to
workshops that take students assist students through their
through the various techniques technical requirements. This
of visualising information. involves the opportunity for
The workshops are more than one-to-one sessions; personal
simply software sessions, with mentoring; and an online advice
sketching and technical drawing and guidance service for general
playing a key role also. They are trouble-shooting and more
directly relevant to the materials specific problems encountered.
presented in the urban design
studio lectures in which students
learn how to visualise what they All studio sessions are supported
learned. by our Technical Lead and a
number of qualified studio
The sessions are split between assistants to ensure students
the urban design studio and the have year-round support on all
dedicated computer clusters. technical matters.
Students use the software
provided free by the university
and have access to a range of
equipment and tools.

10 11
Black and Sonbli (2019)
 13

URBAN DESIGN STUDY TOUR

OVERVIEW VIENNA 2019 UNIT CONVENOR
This unit gives students the The fieldtrip in 2019 was to the city Dr Razieh Zandieh
opportunity to study urban of Vienna, Austria. The students
design and international planning undertook a number of site visits STAFF ATTENDING
in a European city. Students and presentations from a range Dr Philip Black
get to explore urban design of professionals and academics. Mr Robert Phillips
responses within a international These included trips to Museums Dr Taki Eddin Sonbli
context, considering differences Quarter; Alt-Erlaa; Karl-Marx-Hoff;
in development policies and Seessadt; Mariahilfer Strasse;
planning frameworks. They also Business University; Donau City;
continue to develop their design Gasometers; and Nordbahnhoff.
skills regarding culturally sensitive
and contextually responsive During the trip students had the
urban design approaches. opportunity to spend studio time
at TU Wien.
The recent field-trips have
had a focus on heritage and Previous trips have included
conservation aspects. Berlin; Barcelona; Dublin;
Amsterdam; Seattle; and Toronto.

12 13
 15

THE URBAN DESIGN PROCESS (Black and Sonbli, 2019)

The Urban Design Process, Students who undertake this process The purpose of urban design edcuation
published in 2019 by Lund during their studies develop a broad range should be to prodcue the next generation
Humphries Ltd., was our response of skills: of well-equipped, knowledgeable, and
to the need for a structured, yet passionate urban designers who will make
flexible, framework that enables • The ability to analyse place across a genuine contribution to the health of
students to practice urban design different scales [city; neighborhood; block] the planet and quality of life for those who
as a technical product within the • A deep understanding of the importance inhabit it. Cities are complex and constantly
limited year-long timeframe of of, and how to engage with, people. evolving orgainisms, and urban designers Cross-Section of Case Study Site
the MSc programme. The process • The ability to identify and interpret must be ready to respond to exisiting and
structures a contextually responsive relevant policy and guidance. emerging challenges, here at University of
approach to understanding and • An understanding of design composition Manchester we aim to prepare our students
designing place, and allows students and complexity to face the issues of today, and of tomorrow.
to develop projects along a logical • Collaborating with key stakeholders and
pathway, yet still requires flexible and other design professionals.
creative approaches, thinking, and • Developing design ideas and concepts.
a full commitment to engage and • Evaluating design for quality and
deliver. The process acts as a guide, contextual awareness.
a road map for student designers • Competence in rationalising design
that informs and provides contextual decisions and real-world feasibility.
information and clues to help shape • The ability to present urban analysis;
design, as well as a robust framework ideas; designs; and complete project
for evaluating design decisions. It narratives in a clear and comprehensive
seeks to better equip the designer manner to both designers and non-
with the necessary contextual detail designers. Technical Public Real Proposal Contextual Appraisal Key View Sketch
to make appropriate decisions and
14 avoid generic or context-less results. 15
 17

We are delighted to announce WINNER 2020

Pegasus Group as our new Marina Fomina
sponsors for the Best Urban
Design Project at University of COMMENDATIONS 2020
Manchester from 2020. Areen Al Athamneh
Josephine Gregory
Pegasus Group is a leading
national development ALSO NOMINATED 2020
consultancy specialising in Harriet Haldenby
planning, design, environment, Aime Robson

Award
economics and heritage. Its Tomasz Jakubiak
masterplanning and urban design Divya Sachdeva
team excellence in providing
distinctive, integrated, and
sustainable developments that
are based on a firm understanding
of existing movement networks,
the existing landscape and the
surrounding urban fabric.

The prize is awarded to the best

overall design related project
from a list of 7 nominees. .

The winning project and

commendations are presented
on the following pages.

16 17
 19

Winner
2020

This year the winner of the Pegasus Group Award for

Best Urban Design Project goes to MARINA FOMINA

“Marina has taken a difficult, yet strategic, site and

shown a deftness of touch in providing a contextually
responsive and exciting intervention. Her understanding
of the wider neighbourhood and area is clear, as is her
ability to draw people into the natural assests within her
site to provide active public space and movement for a
wide range of people. The project is a deserving winner
of the 2020 Pegasus Award”
Programme Director, MSc Urban Design & Int. Planning

MARINA FOMINA
18 Strangeways, Manchester 19
 21

Commendation
2020
This year Pegasus Group have awarded two special
commendations for projects shortlisted for the
Pegasus Award for Best Urban Design Project.

The first of these commendations is awarded to

AREEN AL ATHAMNEH

“Areen's design on a tight site show an ability to provide

high quality movement corridors, enclosure, and a
clear hierarchy of public space. It is a well crafted and
considered project.”
Programme Director, MSc Urban Design & Int. Planning

AREEN AL ATHAMNEH
20 Old Ashton Road, Manchester 21
 23

Commendation
2020
This year Pegasus Group have awarded two special
commendations for projects shortlisted for the
Pegasus Award for Best Urban Design Project.

The second of these commendations is awarded to

JOSEPHINE GREGORY

“Jo's understanding of context is outstanding and her

proposed design here illustrates that perfectly. Her
attention to detail, particularily in the public realm, is key
to the success of this project. It is comprehensive and well
presented throughout.”
Programme Director, MSc Urban Design & Int. Planning

JOSEPHINE GREGORY
22 N.O.M.A 23
 25

A new prize for 2020 is the LDA WINNER 2020

Urban Design Dissertation Areen Al Athamneh
Prize. This prize is awarded to
the student who receives the
highest grade in a design focused
dissertation on the MSc Urban
Design and International Planning
programme.

The prize is kindly sponsored

Prize by our friends at LDA Design
[Manchester] in what we hope
is the beginning of a new fruitful
relationship.

LDA Design are an independent

consulatncy of urban designers,
landscape architects and
LDA Urban Design Dissertation Prize planners with a single mission: to
create great places and shape the
world around us for the better.

24 25
 Winner 27

2020
Dissertation Title
Public Space in Amman: On the effect of public space to
reduce social and spatial disparities

This dissertation focused on the effect of social and

spatial disparity in Amman which has forged 2 cities,
East and West Amman, crystallizing inequality and
imbalance across Amman. The study evaluated the
public spaces in Amman at both macro and micro
scales, considering the opportunities and constraints
for providing inclusive public realm development. The
dissertation was comprehensive and provided a wide
scale masterplan for the city as well as more focused
micro scale interventions that aimed to create a model
for socially cohesive design. Areen's ability to think
about the future of the city as well as its present state
has lead to both interesting and feasible development
plans, alongside the potential to influence policy and
emerging strategies for the wider city.

AREEN AL ATHAMNEH
Public Space and Social Exclusion in Amman
26 27
 29

This studio based module understanding of the current UNIT CONVENORS

aims to introduce students to condition and character of the Mr Robert Phillips
basic urban design analysis, it location culminating in broad Dr Philip Black

URBAN DESIGN STUDIO

provides a framework of critical urban design opportunities and
urban analysis at multiple scales constraints model. DESIGN TUTOR
and sets the foundations for Dr Razieh Zandieh
the formation of urban design Each Yearbook entry is for illustrative
principles and practice. Students purposes only as only selected TECHNICAL LEAD
are expected to develop design, graphics/images from the full design Dr Taki Eddin Sonbli
graphical and presentational skills proposal submission could be
to communicate urban design showcased. STUDIO ASSISTANTS
analysis and design proposals, as Ms May Newisar
well as begin to think critically on Mr Alex Wharton
form, space and process.

The project involves a detailed

design assessment of a
neighbourhood within the Greater
Manchester region were students
illustrate a detailed

28 29
 31

JOSEPHINE GREGORY
30 Angel Square, Manchester 31
 33

MARINA FOMINA
32 Strangeways, Manchester 33
 35

TOMASZ ANDRZEJ JAKUBIAK

34 Irwell, Manchester 35
 37

NATALIE VANESSA MORTLOCK

36 River Irk, Manchester 37
 39

HANYUN LIU ZHIXING LI

38 Trinity Way, Manchester Piccadilly Basin, Manchester 39
 41

NEILÍDE GRIFFIN POLLY HANNAH MURRAY

40 Irwell, Manchester Gould Square 41
 43

WANYI ZHANG SHUJUN ZHANG

42 Trinity Way, Manchester Adair Street, Manchester 43
 45

URBAN DESIGN PROJECT

This studio based module aims and their relationship UNIT CONVENOR
to reinforce, through applied with practice; design and Dr Philip Black
practice, the main principles communicate an urban design
of urban design; skills of scaled intervention; and develop DESIGN TUTORS
architectural observation and skills of design, presentation, and Mr Robert Phillips
description; techniques for 3D physical modelling. Dr Razieh Zandieh
analysis of urban space; design
policy and guidance; design and A series of crits throughout the TECHNICAL LEAD
access statements; and urban year assist students in progressing Dr Taki Eddin Sonbli
design proposals and schemes. their analysis, ideas and eventual
The project involved the delivery designs, and the final project STUDIO ASSISTANTS
of a detailed urban design must include a technical scaled Mr Alex Wharton
proposal on a city centre site drawing of the design scheme Ms May Newisar
(approx. 3-5 ha.) and a 3D physical at 1:1000 or 1:500 scale and a 3D
model. physical model.

The unit aims to allow students Each Yearbook entry is for illustrative
to develop a project-oriented purposes only as only selected
approach to urban design; graphics/images from the full design
apply site analysis techniques to proposal submission could be
support urban design proposals; showcased.
explore urban design principles

44 45
 47

HARRIET HALDENBY
46 River Irk, Manchester 47
 49

DIVYA SACHDEVA
48 Angel Square, Manchester 49
 51

MENGQIAO YU
50 Ancoats Groves, Manchester 51
 53

AMIE REBECCA ROBSON

52 Irwell, Manchester 53
 55

TOMASZ ANDRZEJ JAKUBIAK

54 Irwell, Manchester 55
 57

ZHENQI ZHANG MEI HU

56 Trinity Way, Manchester Adair St, Manchester 57
 59

FEI CHEN JOHN SUMNER TOWNSEND

58 Piccadilly Basin, Manchester Northern Gateway, Manchester 59
 61

Connection Frontages and Access

60 OLIVIA BRYONY PERRY HAOZHEN XU 61

Northern Gateway, Manchester Ashton Old Road, Manchester
 63

MASTERPLAN STUDIO
This studio based unit aims to The project asks for the delivery UNIT CONVENOR
introduce students to the process of a spatial masterplan design Dr Philip Black
of masterplanning, providing proposal for a selected 18-25
skills in analysis at larger scales; hectare site. A series of crits DESIGN TUTOR
design option development and assists students throughout the Mr Robert Phillips
testing; working to a brief; and year in developing their analysis
detailing a masterplan project and design. The final submission TECHNICAL OFFICER
design at 2D and illustrative 3D includes a detailed strategic Dr Taki Eddin Sonbli
. framework, design options, a
The unit aims to provide technical scaled masterplan, STUDIO ASSISTANT
advanced practice in urban 2D and 3D visualisations, and a Ms Amanda Briggs
design; consolidate the work considered implementation plan.
on the interface of urban design UNIT CONTRIBUTORS
and masterplanning scales; Each Yearbook entry is for illustrative Urban Imprint
develop advanced graphical purposes only as only selected WYG
and presentation skills to deliver graphics/images from the full design Optimised Environments
urban design projects; and proposal submission could be
develop a critical approach to showcased.
the urban design process and a
strong link between the theory
and the practice of urban design.

62 63
 65

AMIE REBECCA ROBSON

64 Clayton, Manchester 65
 67

HARRIET HALDENBY
66 Stretford Centre, Manchester 67
 69

HUMEIRAH OUGRADAR
68 Stretford Centre, Manchester 69
 71

MARINA FOMINA
70 Portland Basin, Manchester 71
 73

JOHN SUMNER TOWNSEND

72 Northern Gateway, Manchester 73
 75

OLIVIA BRYONY PERRY

74 Pomona Island, Manchester 75
 77

FANGSHENG
Student’s Name LIU ZHENGLIN LI
76 Salford Quays, Manchester Salford Quays, Manchester 77
Projects’ Name
 79

DESIGN DISSERTATIONS

78 79
 The Built EnvironMENt: 81
Redesigning Levenshulmes Public Realm with a Focus on Women
Supervisor: Dr. Philip Black

This dissertation aimed to consider the ways in which women may contribute to the design of high quality public realm and reap the benefits as
a result. This was achieved through an in-depth case study in Levenshulme, South Manchester.

AMIE REBECCA ROBSON

80 The Built EnvironMENt 81
 Design for the 24-hour City: 83
Creating a Walkable and Legible Network in the Urban Night
Supervisor: Dr. Philip Black

This design dissertation investigated the ways in which urban areas are subject to change once night falls and the effects these changes may have
on users of the public realm. The findings suggested that an 'urban accupuncture' approach to public realm intervention is most effective when
developing an active night-time movement network in the city. By fine-tuning urban design principles and incorporating them into the design
process, it is possible to create environments that are walkable and legible across a 24-hour cycle.

NEILÍDE GRIFFIN
82 Design for the 24-hour City 83
 On Designing the Thermally Comfort Street and their Impact on Pedestrian Realm: 85
Lessons from the Streets of Liverpool
Supervisor: Dr. Razieh Zandieh

This dissertation investigated the principles of climate sensitive design and how this can be applied to achieve thermal comfort in existing streets.
Further, it considered how implementing these principles impacts the quality of the street. Designs were produced for Liverpool, and each
evaluated using a version of the PERS tool. Analysis highlighted the need for site specific design to achieve thermal comfort, and that broadly
implementing the climate sensitive design principles had a neutral or positive effect on street quality.

NATALIE VANESSA MORTLOCK

84 Thermal Comfort Streets in Liverpool 85
 Stadium-led
URBAN DESIGN Regeneration:
INTERVENTIONS
Masterplan
IN THEfor
PUBLIC
Etihad campus - Manchester 87
REALM OF
Supervisor: Dr.MANCHESTER
Phillip Black CHINA TOWN
Supervisor: Dr. Taki Eddin Sonbli

This study developed a regeneration masterplan for the North Manchester Etihad Campus site. This is an under-utilsied site adjacent to the world-
leading facilities of Manchester City Football Club, including their stadium. The masterplan aimed to create vibrant public realm and promote the
renewal of the surrounding local areas, acting as a local hub and international destination.

86 ZHIXING LI 87
Stadium-led Regeneration
 89

Regeneration of Modernist Socialist Estate by

Strategic Intervention:
Masterplan for Aylesbury Estate in Walworth,
London

Supervisor: Dr. Angela Connelly

This study aimed to test the approach of stratgeic partial

demolition, infill and refurbishment in the regeneration
of modernist social housing estates on the example of
Aylesbury Estate in London.

A viable regeneration proposal is at the core of the

dissertation - exploring the estates issues in depth and
addressing these issues to produce a masterplan that
tackles issues including image, crime prevention by design,
sustainability, and local identity - as well as more traditional
urban design issues such as legiblity, permeability, and the
overall improvement of the wider public realm and built
environment.

MARINA FOMINA
88 Masterplan for Aylesbury Estate 89
 91

Child-Centric Design in Urban Neighbour-

hoods: A Case Study of East Manchester
Supervisor: Dr. Philip Black

This design dissertation aimed to establish the key barriers

to children's independence in their neighbourhoods and
their access to outdoor play opportunities. The project
produced a Design Framework for child-centric design with
a particular relevance to the study site, from this a design
for the site was adopted and extensively tested to explore
the extent to which this framework could assist in delivering
child friendly design solutions.

HARRIET HALDENBY
90 Child-Centric Design 91
 93

The PEM Urban Design Model Urban Design students produce MODEL LEADS
Making Workshop caters scaled models (1:750 or 1:1000) Dr Taki Eddin Sonbli
for students undertaking to be submitted alongside their Dr Philip Black

3D PHYSICAL MODELS
Urban Design at University of Urban Deign Project proposal. It
Manchester. The workshop is an excellent way for students
offer facilities and advice for the to visualise their ideas and
production of scale development designs in three dimensions
and presentation models for use and acts as a developmental
in student projects. The workshop as well as representational and
offers a range of equipment to presentational tool.
allow students to both soft and
hard model their design analysis, Due to space constraints in the
options, and final proposals. Yearbook only a small selection of
the models from this year can be
The aim is to continually develop showcased.
the facility in line with industry
standards and equip students
with a good understanding of
contemporary and traditional
approaches to making.

Urban Design Studio: The Modelling Workshop

92 93
 95

JOSEPHINE GREGORY AMIE REBECCA ROBSON

94 N.O.M.A River Irwell 95
 97

96 HANYUN LIU SHUTING YANG 97

Manchester Manchester
 99

98 YAXIN GUO THE URBAN DESIGN PROCESS 99

Palmerston Street Black and Sonbli (2019)
 URBAN DESIGN GRADUATES 2019 101

Amie Rebecca Robson Natalie Vanessa Mortlock

Anqi Yu Neilíde Griffin
Areen Al Athamneh Olivia Bryony Perry
Daniel Chee Khiang Yeo Pencheng Ye
Divya Sachdeva Polly Hannah Murray
Elizabeth Angela Slater Ruoyun Tu
Fangsheng Liu Ruonan Yang
Fei Chen Shuting Yang
Guangyao Pan Shujun Zhang
Hanyun Liu Wanyi Zhang
Harriet Haldenby Xiaoxu Fu
Haozhen Xu Yajun Wang
Humeirah Ougradar Yaxin Guo
Jiaqing Liu Yuanhui Wang
John Sumner Townsend Zhenglin Li
Liyan Liu Zhenqi Zhang
Marina Fomina Zhixing Li
Mengqiao Yu
Mei Hu

100 101
102

102