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Summary:
This dissertation focuses on the interaction between the theory and practice of urban design. It is hypothesized that a gap between theory and practice seems to weaken both the generation of theory and its application to real projects. This work searches for the mainstream urban design theories in academia and other sources to gauge which theories are most influential, which practices have been influenced by them, and how does practice, in turn, influence the generation of theory?
To do this, the research will examine: the types of theories in urban design; the historical evolution and sources of urban design theory; the use and misuse of theory in practice, and the use and misuse of practice in theory. The research methodology will begin with the texts themselves, identifying and categorising them, and will move on to the people (the theorists and practitioners) who generate and use them. The overarching aim is to enhance the relation between theory and practice in urban design and to stimulate further research on pedagogical issues relating to urban design.
Sponsor:
ORS (overseas research student scholarship) UCL.
- Biography
Hooman is a Phd candidate at Bartlett School of Planning. He got his bachelors degree In Urbanism from Tehran University and his Master of Urban Design from Azad University of Tehran (Olum Tahghighat). Hooman joined the Bartlett in January 2012 for his research on the gap between theory and practice of Urban Design. During his studies he has published articles and presented at different conferences (for more information see the publication link on this page). His focus is mainly on theoretical aspects of urban design. Previously he was involved in practice of urban design in Iran. Within this experience the problem of applying Urban Design in different contexts gained his attention which has formed his researches and works since then.
- Publications and other work
Publications
Why Urban Design is true? Journal of urban design quarterly, Urban Design group, 2013 (under publication)
The Urban Design Reader, book review, journal of urban design, 2013 (under publication)
Iranian Townscape and City Form, from Water-Based to Oil-Based Cities, peer review proceedings “Urban Change in Iran” 2012 by DPU, UCL, London, With Maryam Khabazi and Paria Pourmohammadi
Urban continuity and urban change; lessons from Jolfa a historical district of Isfahan. peer review proceedings “Urban Change in Iran” 2012 by DPU, UCL, London, With Armaghan Ahmadi,
Contemplating the Condition of Urban Design’s Knowledge in Iran and Its Future Challenges, with Maryam Khabazi, Hoviyateshahr, Hoviyate Shahr Journal, Tehran, Iran, ISC ,2012 (in Farsi)
Educational spaces and the identity of the Iranian cities, In Iranian school, Iranian architecture (reader) by ministry of education, Vol2 PP 77-81 Mars 2009. (in Farsi)
Presentations:
Iranian Townscape and City Form, from Water-Based to Oil-Based Cities , “Urban Change in Iran” 2012 by DPU, UCL, London, With Maryam Khabazi and Paria Pourmohammadi
“Urban continuity and urban change; lessons from Jolfa a historical district of Isfahan”. “Urban Change in Iran” 2012 by DPU, UCL, London, With Armaghan Ahmadi,
Jolfa, a historical and sustainable neighborhood, Cooperation with Armaghan Ahmadi, 7th International Conference on Urban Regeneration and Sustainability (abstract accepted full article in progress)
evaluating efforts for making vernacular urban design theories in Iran, with Naryam Khabazi, International conference on Urban Design in Iran (2012)
Lighting cities at night, 1st International Graduate Symposium on the Built Environment. 2010, article accepted, corporation with Maryam Khabazi, METU, Ankara, Turkey, 15-16 October 2010
Between Knowledge, Belief and Desire, Green Utopia and Its Application, accepted abstract for oral presentation, corporation with Maryam Khabazi IFoU 2011 Conference, Singapore
The Role of Urban Design in Achieving Sustainability through Promotion of Sustainable Behaviors (Case Study: Mellat Park in Tehran, Iran), accepted abstract for oral presentation, corporation with Maryam Khabazi IFoU 2011 Conference, Singapore
Global Water: Technologies, Geographies and Policies, cooperation with Dr Brian McGrath, The New School, March 2011 New York
Multi-dimensional approach to revitalization of urban historical arias in order to achieve social sustainability”. In the 1st Urban Design International Congress (UDIC), Sep 2006, Isfahan, Iran. Rewarded presentation,
Analyzing the facade of the Pasdaran Street. In the second conference of construction in Tehran, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran, May 2006.
Teaching
PGTA for the MA course of sustainable urban design, Sustainable Urban Design (BENVGSU3) Bartlett, UCL
Membership
Member of Urban Design group, Urban Design group, London