BLArch Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Urban Design 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which urban design approach clusters buildings tightly around transit nodes to minimize sprawl?
- Corridor development
- Transit-oriented development (TOD) (Correct answer)
- Low-density suburban planning
- Industrial park design
Correct answer: Transit-oriented development (TOD)
TOD concentrates mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly development around transit stations to increase ridership and reduce auto dependence.
Question 2: What is the primary goal of a 'green roof' in urban design beyond aesthetics?
- To increase building height allowances
- To reduce stormwater runoff, insulate buildings, and mitigate urban heat island effect (Correct answer)
- To provide rooftop parking
- To replace ground-level tree planting requirements
Correct answer: To reduce stormwater runoff, insulate buildings, and mitigate urban heat island effect
Green roofs absorb rainfall, reduce heat gain through insulation, and lower surrounding air temperatures through evapotranspiration.
Question 3: The '8-80 Cities' framework argues that urban design should prioritize whom?
- Only children under 8 and seniors over 80
- Anyone from 8 to 80 years old as a benchmark for inclusive, safe design (Correct answer)
- Residents within 8 to 80 blocks of city hall
- Buildings between 8 and 80 stories tall
Correct answer: Anyone from 8 to 80 years old as a benchmark for inclusive, safe design
The 8-80 Cities concept holds that if public spaces are safe and comfortable for 8-year-olds and 80-year-olds, they work well for everyone.
Question 4: Which measurement tool assesses how walkable a neighborhood is based on proximity to amenities and street connectivity?
- Walk Score (Correct answer)
- Transit Index
- Sprawl Rating
- Urban Density Quotient
Correct answer: Walk Score
Walk Score is a widely used metric that rates an address's walkability based on proximity to destinations, pedestrian infrastructure, and street connectivity.
Question 5: In urban street design, a 'road diet' typically involves what change?
- Widening roads to add travel lanes
- Reducing travel lanes to add bike lanes, turn lanes, or pedestrian space (Correct answer)
- Removing on-street parking entirely
- Lowering speed limits without changing road width
Correct answer: Reducing travel lanes to add bike lanes, turn lanes, or pedestrian space
A road diet converts excess travel lanes—often four lanes to three—to reallocate space for protected bike lanes, medians, or wider sidewalks.
Question 6: Which urban design concept describes the small-scale physical features that make streets engaging and comfortable for pedestrians?
- Urban morphology
- Human scale design (Correct answer)
- Block-busting
- Macro-planning
Correct answer: Human scale design
Human scale design focuses on details—benches, awnings, building textures, signage—experienced at eye level that create comfortable, engaging pedestrian environments.
Question 7: Which US federal law most directly shapes accessibility requirements in urban public spaces and streetscapes?
- Clean Water Act
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (Correct answer)
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- National Historic Preservation Act
Correct answer: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA mandates accessible design standards for sidewalks, curb cuts, ramps, and public facilities to ensure equal access for people with disabilities.
BLArch Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Urban Design 5
Which urban design approach clusters buildings tightly around transit nodes to minimize sprawl?