Investigating urban design
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse urban environments and create a cityscape drawing that incorporates key elements of urban design.
Key learning points
- Understand the fundamental elements of urban design and their impact on city living.
- Analyse how artists represent urban environments through various artistic techniques.
- Develop observational drawing skills focusing on architectural features and city layouts.
Keywords
Urban design - the process of planning and shaping cities, towns and public spaces to make them functional and aesthetically pleasing
Public space - areas in a city accessible to all people, such as parks and streets
Cityscape - an artistic representation of a city, highlighting its buildings, streets and urban features
Perspective - a drawing method used to represent three-dimensional space or objects on a two-dimensional surface
Symmetry - a balanced and proportionate similarity between two halves of an object or design
Common misconception
Urban design is solely about constructing buildings.
Urban design encompasses the planning of entire city environments, including streets, public spaces, transportation systems and the relationships between different urban elements.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to observe their surroundings carefully, noting the variety of shapes and structures in urban settings. Highlight that urban design combines creativity with functionality, impacting how people experience city life.
Equipment
Sketchbooks or drawing paper. Pencils and erasers. Rulers. Images of various cityscapes (printed or digital).
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Urban designers often use __________ when planning cities as it helps them share and test their ideas.
Q2.Which of these is a public space in an urban area?
Q3.Why is it important to observe how people use urban spaces?
Q4.Which of these is an example of a pattern you might see in urban design?
Q5.Match the shape to where you might see it in urban design:
Window or doorway
Roundabout or fountain base
Roof design or road signs
Q6.Match the urban design feature to its purpose:
Safe space for walking
Helps at night
Resting place in public areas
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What word describes a drawing that shows how an urban space looks, often from a distance?
Q2.What is urban design mainly focused on?
Q3.Why is symmetry often used in urban design?
Q4.Which of these is an example of a public space?
Q5.Put the following steps in order to create a cityscape drawing using perspective:
Q6.Match each term to its correct definition.
A balanced design where both sides look the same
A view of a city, often drawn or photographed
A way of drawing to show depth or distance
To help you plan your 6 art and design lesson on: Investigating urban design, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 art and design lesson on: Investigating urban design, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 art and design lessons from the Urban Life: Drawing and design unit, dive into the full primary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.