BLArch Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Urban Design 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which term describes the gradual transition from urban centers to suburban and rural edges in land use planning?
- Urban sprawl
- Urban transect (Correct answer)
- Greenbelt policy
- Edge city development
Correct answer: Urban transect
The urban transect is a framework describing a spectrum of environments from rural core to urban core, used in New Urbanism to guide appropriate land use.
Question 2: Adaptive reuse in urban design refers to what practice?
- Converting rural land to urban use
- Repurposing existing buildings for new functions (Correct answer)
- Demolishing obsolete structures
- Expanding roads to accommodate growth
Correct answer: Repurposing existing buildings for new functions
Adaptive reuse converts existing buildings—warehouses, factories, churches—into new uses, preserving cultural heritage while meeting current needs.
Question 3: Which urban design element is most effective at reducing pedestrian wind discomfort at the base of tall buildings?
- Tall street trees
- Canopies and awnings at building entrances (Correct answer)
- Reflective glass facades
- Wider sidewalks
Correct answer: Canopies and awnings at building entrances
Canopies and awnings provide shelter from downwash winds created by tall buildings, improving pedestrian comfort at grade level.
Question 4: What does 'FAR' (Floor Area Ratio) measure in urban development?
- The percentage of a lot covered by buildings
- The ratio of total building floor area to the land area of the lot (Correct answer)
- The height limit of a structure in stories
- The proportion of green space required per project
Correct answer: The ratio of total building floor area to the land area of the lot
FAR is calculated by dividing total building floor area by the site area, determining overall development intensity regardless of building footprint or height.
Question 5: The concept of 'tactical urbanism' is best described as what type of intervention?
- Long-term master planning for city districts
- Low-cost, temporary interventions that test urban design ideas (Correct answer)
- State-funded infrastructure redevelopment
- Comprehensive zoning code revision
Correct answer: Low-cost, temporary interventions that test urban design ideas
Tactical urbanism uses short-term, low-cost experiments—pop-up parks, temporary bike lanes—to test and demonstrate urban design improvements before permanent investment.
Question 6: Which landscape architecture document first articulated ecological planning as a methodology for urban design?
- The Athens Charter
- Design with Nature by Ian McHarg (Correct answer)
- A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander
- The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
Correct answer: Design with Nature by Ian McHarg
'Design with Nature' (1969) by Ian McHarg established layer-based ecological analysis as the foundation for landscape and urban planning decisions.
Question 7: In urban park design, what is 'park equity' primarily concerned with?
- Equal park sizes across all neighborhoods
- Ensuring all residents have fair access to quality green spaces regardless of income or race (Correct answer)
- Charging the same park fees city-wide
- Balancing athletic fields with passive areas
Correct answer: Ensuring all residents have fair access to quality green spaces regardless of income or race
Park equity focuses on closing the gap in green space access and quality between wealthy and underserved communities, often driven by historical disinvestment.
BLArch Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Urban Design 4
Which term describes the gradual transition from urban centers to suburban and rural edges in land use planning?