The influence of control mechanisms on urban form : some urban design implications

• Main Author: Schutte, Corli
• Other Authors: Welch, T. C.
• Format: Others
• Language: en_ZA
• Published: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University 2012
• Subjects: City planning > Management; Cities and towns > Growth; Dissertations > Town and regional planning; Theses > Town and regional planning
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/53127

Thesis (MS en S)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. === ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The urban designer works within an environment characterized by constraints. Control mechanisms are part of these constraints. They were created out of necessity because the control of the urban environment became strained as cities grew in size. In the beginning control mechanisms regulated the urban environment to create better public safety. This objective evolved to include aesthetics and sustainability of the environment. Controls, however, tended to become standardized and were often blindly applied irrespective of changed circumstances and contexts. Control mechanisms include inter alia height, density, bulk, and aesthetic controls, which can be applied to regulate form, space and behavioural or activity patterns. These control mechanisms generally embrace a system of codes embodied in legislation enforceable in law. Urban designers should realize and take full advantage of the potential of the law as an urban design control element. This study examines the nature of control mechanisms as applied to town planning in general and urban design in particular and their efficacy in achieving and maintaining a range of human and social objectives. To this end, attention is paid to examining historical precedent, examples reflecting different cultures and approaches and resultant urban forms. On the basis of the aforementioned this study aims to identify a range of urban design principles and to propose suggestions as to how control mechanisms as part of a system of law can best be applied. A case study of central business district sites in Durbanville, Western Cape is researched. === AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die stadsontwerper funksioneer binne 'n omgewing wat gekenmerk word deur beperkings. Beheermeganismes maak deel uit van hierdie beperkings. Dit het ontwikkel uit noodsaak, want die beheer van die stedelike omgewing het onder druk gekom soos stede in grootte toegeneem het. Aanvanklik het die beheer-maatreëls die stedelike omgewing gereguleer om sodoende openbare veiligheid te verseker. Hierdie doel het egter ontwikkel om estetiese ontwerp en volhouding van die omgewing in te sluit. Maatreëls het egter geneig om gestandardiseer te raak en is dikwels blindelings toegepas ongeag die omstandighede en konteks. Beheermeganismes sluit inter alia hoogte, volume en estetiese kontrole in wat aangewend kan word om vorm, ruimte en gedrags- of aktiwiteitspatrone te reguleer. Hierdie beheermeganismes omsluit gewoonlik 'n stelsel van kodes wat vervat is in wetgewing, afdwingbaar deur die wet. Stadsontwerpers behoort die potensiaal van sodanige wetgewing te besef en tot hul voordeel te benut as 'n beheer element in stedelike ontwerp. Hierdie studie ondersoek die aard van beheermeganismes soos aangewend in stadsbeplanning oor die algemeen en stedelike ontwerp in die besonder en hul doeltreffendheid in die bereiking en handhawing van 'n reeks menslike en sosiale doelstellings. Aandag word in die studie gegee aan die ondersoek van historiese voorbeelde, voorbeelde wat verskillende kulture weerspieël en verskillende benaderingswyses en gevolglike stadsvorme. Gebaseer op die voorafgaande, wil hierdie studie 'n reeks van stedelike ontwerp beginsels identifiseer en voorstelle aan die hand doen hoe beheermeganismes as deel van die wetgewingstelsel, op die mees doeltreffende wyse aangewend kan word. Persele in die sakekern van Durbanville, Wes- Kaap word as gevallestudie nagevors.