English Task
English Task
English Task
Question number 1 :
How town planning aspects can help an architect during the designing of a home plan?
To give a better answer to this question, let first consider the definition of town planning
Urban planning, also known as town planning, city planning, regional planning, or rural planning,
is a technical and political process that is focused on the development and design of land use and
the built environment, including air, water, and the infrastructure passing into and out of urban
areas, such as transportation, communications, and distribution networks and their accessibility1.
Over time, urban planning has adopted a focus on the social and environmental bottom-lines that
focus on planning as a tool to improve the health and well-being of people while maintaining
sustainability standards. Sustainable development was added as one of the main goals of all
planning endeavors in the late 20th century when the detrimental economic and the
environmental impacts of the previous models of planning had become apparent. Similarly, in
the early 21st century, Jane Jacobs's writings on legal and political perspectives to emphasize the
interests of residents, businesses and communities effectively influenced urban planners to take
into broader consideration of resident experiences and needs while planning.
Urban planning answers questions about how people will live, work and play in a given area and
thus, guides orderly development in urban, suburban and rural areas 2. Although predominantly
concerned with the planning of settlements and communities, urban planners are also
1 what is urban planning /school of urban planning, McGill University. Archived from the original on 08 January 2008
2 Midgley, james (1999). Social development: the developmental perspective in social welfare. Page 50
responsible for planning the efficient transportation of goods, resources, people and waste; the
distribution of basic necessities such as water and electricity; a sense of inclusion and opportunity
for people of all kinds, culture and needs; economic growth or business development; improving
health and conserving areas of natural environmental significance that actively contributes to
reduction in CO2 emissions as well as protecting heritage structures and built environments3.
Urban planners decide what can be built where and how outdoor areas will be used; architects
create the actual design. Urban planners focus on the big picture of community needs and the
impact on surrounding areas.
When designing home plans, we take into account a lot of invaluable factors that lead the
conception of the project namely: the climate, the culture, the geography of the land and most
importantly, rules established by urban planners for the space. As far as urban planning is
concerned, the architect should bother to know what is the willing of urban planners about the
design of the homes where he want to set the project. Urban planners define delimitations for
residential compounds, schools, churches, factories and so on, their heights, networks of waste
water evacuation etc. These informations are simply guidelines for architects. He will know where
to put the pipes to evacuate water, the type of design or external look the project should have to
be in harmony with the rest of the environment etc.
Question number 2
How does an architect contribute to the development of the city?
In all phases of our education, we have heard and realized the truth in the saying ‘Rome wasn’t
built in a day’. Even as architects, we always progress in our design step-by-step, reviewing,
changing, and improvising every time. Similarly, the architecture may not drastically change the
world in a single moment, but has the power to influence the surroundings we live in, little by
little every day.
Looking at the cruel reality of the world, and horrible situations people face, architecture can be
used to help improve the lives of underprivileged people, people facing social injustice, and
people who lack basic comforts- food, shelter, and water. architecture can bring together
communities and empower them to change their lives and the lives of future generations for the
better.
3 Pobiber, joe (18 February 2020) urban planning trends that are changing how our cities will look in the future. Building
design+construction. Retrieved 25 September 2020
architects can help tackle effects of global warming
The world is slowly becoming more and more uninhabitable as more years go by. Humans cannot
give up their basic need for shelter, but this need can be used to reduce or negate the negative
effects of the increasing human population. Green buildings are designed to consume fewer
natural resources, and can even be designed to generate their energy to give back to society 4.
architects can help improve the mental health of people
As opposed to our ancestors, who spent their lives working under the sun, almost 80% of humans
now spend most of their time indoors- in houses, classrooms, offices, and other covered spaces.
The role of architecture in human psychology is thus very large and important. This means that if
a built environment is designed properly, it can elevate peoples’ mood, promote optimistic
thoughts, improve self-esteem, and boost confidence4.
architects can help prevent effects of Natural disasters
Natural disasters like floods, storms, earthquakes are the forces of nature that can render anyone
helpless. Architecture can be used to help prevent and mitigate the effects of natural disasters. It
plays an important role by providing short-term immediate relief structures in the areas struck by
these disasters and more tolerant structures can be built in the future to prevent these effects 4.
architects can help increase the annual income of a country or city by attracting visitors from
all over the world through beautiful designs
Any country’s economy is affected by the number of tourists who come to enjoy the culture of
that country. Tourism in any country is largely influenced by different monuments, places,
structures, and design styles unique to that region. Places like ‘The Seven Wonders of the World’
largely renders in a huge number of tourists and thus brings wealth to their respective countries 4.
architects can help prolong the average lifespan of the society
Architects and urban planners have always worked to promote the health of the general public
and designed structures, spaces, and planned cities accordingly. Planning of cities to minimize
pollution, increase physical movement to combat sedentary lifestyle, increasing green spaces and
parks, proper plumbing, and water supply services are the tools made available through
architecture for improving the health of the society4.
We could name many more benefits that make architecture an important element in the
development of a city.
4 www.re-thinkingthefuture.com