Precedents in routine and non-routine design situations: an empirical study based on two contrasting urban development projects. Issue Volume 15:Issues 1(2022) (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arab, Nadia; Mullon, Rachel
• Is Part Of: Journal of urbanism. Volume 15:Issues 1(2022)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 16
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: Precedents -- design process -- urban development project -- local knowledge; City planning -- Periodicals; Sociology, Urban -- Periodicals; Sustainable urban development -- Periodicals; 307.7605
• DOI: 10.1080/17549175.2020.1814389
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-9175

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Precedents, recognized as stimuli in the design process, are rarely the subject of research in the field of urban studies. This article seeks to redress the balance by exploring the design processes of two urban projects. The case studies in question were chosen for their apparent differences: the routine design of a neighborhood centred on a light-rail stop in Portland, Oregon, USA, and the non-routine design of a new commercial and leisure hub in Montpellier, France. Despite these differences, a comparison of the design processes reveals two constants: first, designers in both cases use precedents – both endogenous and exogenous – to guide and evaluate development proposals; and second, precedents are closely linked with local knowledge used to contextualize design propositions. This local knowledge has a prescriptive value in the design process and determines how precedents are used.