We have developed a method of appraising urban design skills that underpins our approach to capacity-building and training
We have developed a method of appraising urban design skills that underpins our approach to capacity-building and training
UDS provides planning and design training to local authorities, community groups and agencies. We embed best practice by developing the skills needed to make successful places through private sector investment. Our approach to public engagement and design ensures that skills and knowledge are transferred into the working culture of the people we work with.
We can develop programmes and events to help develop your organisation’s skills and knowledge capacity
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Client: CABE
UDS school delivery team
UDS, in association with MADE and Birmingham City University, developed and delivered CABE’s flagship learning summer school programme for 2007–10. The summer school provides a comprehensive and intensive urban design learning event to support people who influence the design of towns and cities.
The school programme focuses on individual learning needs; the role of design at all stages of the development process; design at different scales; raising commitment to the quality of design; promoting professional effectiveness through action planning, networking and post-school sessions; and team efforts to design a piece of town or city on a live site. For more information, visit CABE’s Urban Design Summer School website.
Client: the Homes and Communities Agency, English Heritage, CABE, Architecture and Design Scotland, and Transport for London Led by UDS
Winner of the RTPI Urban Design Network award for best urban design project 2009, Capacitycheck is a method of urban design skills appraisal developed by UDS. It assesses the present skills, awareness and understanding of an individual or organisation, or determines what capacity a person, project or organisation requires.
The method supports training, education, and learning on the job for a wide range of built environment professionals. Capacitycheck can be used to benchmark an organisation’s existing skills; in devising training programmes; in deciding the coverage of a local authority’s planning policy and guidance; and in drawing up the brief for an urban design project. For more information, see the Capacitycheck website, or download the document here.
Client: the Improvement Service, Scotland
Project led by UDS with Professor Alan Simpson and Lillystan
The UDS-led team developed a range of learning modules to be delivered throughout Scotland to local authority planners and members. UDS delivered a range of topics including design principles, design policies, housing design, residential streets, master planning and design statements. The programme aims to enhance design skills and lead to greater confidence in dealing with design issues with applicants, elected members and communities.
Client: RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) Conferences
Masterclasses designed and delivered by UDS
Since 2007 UDS has delivered a range of highly topical and practical masterclass training sessions for the RTPI, with each session delivered by experts. Sessions include Introduction to Urban Design; Design in the Planning System; Qualityreviewer: an introduction to design appraisal; and Placeplanning: the gold standard for master planning and design guidance.
Client: Nordic Urban Design Association (NUDA)
UDS chaired annual school
Rob Cowan, NUDA board member, has had the honour of chairing each of the four annual Nordic Urban Design Association summer schools, held in Bergen (2007-09) and Stavanger (2010), Norway. Each school drew an international audience who experienced hands-on workshops, seminars, leading speakers and best practice sessions, drawing on the experience of today’s inspiring urban design practitioners.
Client: CABE
Project led by UDS
Capacitycheck pilots were undertaken for Nottingham City Council and Peterborough City Council to test how the method helps councils to assess and improve their urban design skills capacity. The results included an increased awareness of design and its role in planning; the development of job descriptions identifying essential skills; and raised awareness of multidisciplinary working.
Client: Architecture and Design Scotland
Project led by UDS with WSP
This two-day national design symposium focused on the role of design and effective delivery in adapting and mitigating the effects of climate change. The event addressed the changes in working cultures required in local authorities and agencies to tackle these issues. Inspiration was provided from leading international speakers. Workshops focused on climate change issues within different development scenarios: intensification, growth and transformation.
Client: Nottingham City Council
Project led by UDS
Through a series of hands-on, workshop-based training sessions and site visits, the UDS team introduced a range of case studies and best practice examples to support local neighbourhood regeneration efforts by city council members and officers. Sessions focused on an introduction to design quality; using design policy and guidance; and master planning for delivery.
Client: CABE
Project led by UDS
Using the Capacitycheck urban design skills appraisal method, the UDS team developed a series of model job descriptions and associated urban design skills requirements for each position. The necessary skills were identified through research interviews with a wide range of local authorities. The work can be used in recruitment and skills development, promoting multi-disciplinary team working.
Client: East Renfrewshire Council and Architecture and Design Scotland
Project led by UDS
The ‘By the community, for the community’ was the theme of this conference, organised to highlight the achievements of the Renaissance Towns programme in Scotland. The conference demonstrated how to create place plans with the community, and how a community can become an effective partner in delivering the plan. The event culminated in the launch of the Neilston Town Charter.
Client: Architecture and Design Scotland
Project led by UDS
The Capacitycheck pilot for the Highland Council focused on using the method to advance the Inverness city vision, to create personal and project development plans, and to promote placemaking and regeneration. The pilot helped planners in considering a range of city vision approaches; in planning personal and project needs; and in identifying a series of training sessions to enhance urban design skills.
Client: CABE
Project led by UDS
Through a series of councillor workshops, UDS developed an updated version of the CABE Councillor’s Companion as a must-read document for local authority members. The guide promotes successful placemaking, helping members in thinking and applying principles of good design in their roles as leaders in their communities and agents for change.
For more information visit www.capacitycheck.co.uk
UDS can develop programmes and events to help develop your organisation’s skills and knowledge capacity
Contact Us Now
