1. Analysis

Introduction to Analysing

Analysis gives us an awareness of the spatial context within which design can take place and helps us to fully understand the urban environment.   

Characteristics may be tangible and quantifiable such as land use distribution, various environmental and socio-economic qualities, urban morphology, density, and so on, or may be intangible and relate to issues such as aesthetics, behaviour or perceptions. The results of the analysis are likely to summarise both site-specific data and that gathered from desktop research.   

Once data has been gathered, it is necessary to interpret it to determine what it tells us. Data gathering should be robust, but the critical task is to articulate what it means in order that it can fully inform later design solutions.

Introduction handout

• What do we mean by Townscape Analysis?  
• What are the types of analysis in urban design? 
• What is a figure-ground map? 

Introduction handout (pdf) →

Software handouts

• Digimap (pdf)
• Adobe Illustrator (pdf)
• Adobe Photoshop (pdf)
• QGis (pdf)

Technique handouts

• 1.1 How to download a map with Digimap and edit it in Illustrator  (pdf)
• 1.2 Make an editable raster image using Illustrator (pdf)
• 1.3 Creating a graph using Illustrator (pdf)
• 1.4 Creating a figure-ground map using Illustrator (pdf)
• 1.5 Creating a tissue analysis map using Illustrator (pdf)
• 1.6 Creating a strategic analysis map using Illustrator (pdf) 
• 1.7 Creating a Timeline of historic plans (pdf) 
• 1.8 Create a figure-ground map using Illustrator (video) NEW!
• 1.9 Create a land use map using Illustrator (video) NEW!

Design Process Phases

Graphic Skills Foundation Course

All UCL Bartlett Planning students have access to our graphic skills course through Moodle.

Find out more and enrol​ →

Link

IT help and support

Information on how to get help and support for central IT services across UCL

> ISD help and support
> Software for students