Urban Frame

Urban Frame is a fundamental concept in urban design and spatial planning that defines the physical and visual boundaries within which city life unfolds, encompassing both built and natural elements that shape the urban environment. This comprehensive architectural framework serves as the skeletal structure of urban spaces, creating a coherent system of streets, buildings, public spaces, and infrastructural elements that collectively form the city's spatial organization and visual character. The concept emerged from traditional urban planning principles and has evolved to address contemporary challenges of sustainable development, social interaction, and environmental consciousness in urban settings. Urban frames incorporate various scales of spatial definition, from intimate street-level experiences to broader citywide planning strategies, establishing hierarchies of space that guide movement, social interaction, and economic activity. The framework considers multiple layers of urban fabric, including building heights, setbacks, street widths, viewsheds, and the integration of natural elements, all working together to create a legible and harmonious urban environment. In modern urban design practice, the urban frame concept has become increasingly important for creating resilient and adaptable cities, with particular attention paid to human scale, environmental sustainability, and social equity. This approach has garnered recognition in various design competitions, including the A' Design Award's Urban Planning and Urban Design Category, where innovative solutions for urban framing have been celebrated for their contribution to creating more livable cities. The concept encompasses both physical structures and the negative spaces between them, considering how these elements work together to create distinctive urban characters, facilitate wayfinding, and promote social cohesion while accommodating future growth and change.

Author: Lucas Reed

Keywords: spatial planning, urban design, architectural framework, public space, environmental sustainability, urban development

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