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Urban designers do not typically include research or evidence in practice, though the need for an evidence-based approach is becoming increasingly apparent. The way our built environment is constructed affects our health, well-being, and sense of place, as prior research has uncovered. Historically, urban design practice has negatively affected the well-being of urban residents by reinforcing inequitable social and power structures through the design of public space. Some theorists and designers have proposed evidence-based approaches as a response to these concerns. However, the emerging approaches can be disjointed. Tensions arise when deciding between the many types of evidence urban designers can use, and the different ethics they represent. In this thesis, I analyze three existing approaches to evidence-based urban design, including their benefits and their concerns, and ultimately argue that a convergent method is necessary. The conceptual framework I develop is one that responds to concerns of equity and accountability in the built environment, while also maintaining the significance of good design and acknowledging the inevitable integration of technology into society today. / Master of Urban and Regional Planning / Urban design is typically an artistic profession, and conducting or referencing research is not necessarily part of an urban designer's day-to-day. However, the need for a research-backed, or evidence-based, approach to public space design is becoming increasingly apparent. Prior researchers have suggested that the way our cities, neighborhoods, parks, roadways and other public spaces are constructed has an effect on our mental and physical health. Historically, these spaces have been designed to reinforce patterns of social inequity, which has negatively affected the well-being of urban residents. Some theorists and designers have proposed evidence-based approaches as a response to these concerns. However, the emerging approaches towards evidence-based urban design sometimes have conflicting physical and social goals. In this thesis, I analyze three existing approaches to evidence-based urban design, including their benefits and their concerns. I ultimately argue that a new method, which converges the existing methods, is necessary. The conceptual framework I develop is one that responds to concerns of equity and accountability in urban space, maintains the significance of artistry and good design, and acknowledges the inevitable integration of technology into society today.

"Regardless of the differences among their citizens, cities always define their community as against the outside world; a settlement with internal defense walls cannot be called a true community." Community Design and Culture of Cities, by Eduardo Lozano pg 5 Throughout the history of human civilization, no manmade structure has been used to defend territory more than the Wall. Walls have been used to delineate the edges of empires, separate communities, limit migration and provide protection from enemies. As a result, the Wall has become synonymous with imperialism, segregation, racism and isolationism. But what about instances when security outweighs all other concerns? Is there a way to use the wall to maintain defensible space without negatively impacting the greater community? In the case of a military installation located in an urban environment, this is a real issue. Walls which protect the sensitive content within, also serve to divide the community. These necessary physical barriers have the incidental consequence of segregating the servicemembers and government civilians within from the community which they serve. I contend that the thoughtful treatment of these barriers can create a "third place" ripe for interaction between the installation and the surrounding community. By designing retail, educational and cultural spaces along the border, the security of the installation can remain intact while also fostering an active relationship with its surroundings. After all, as Eduardo Lozano states, "a settlement with internal defense walls cannot be called a true community." / Master of Science / “Regardless of the differences among their citizens, cities always define their community as against the outside world; a settlement with internal defense walls cannot be called a true community.” Community Design & Culture of Cities, by Eduardo Lozano pg 5 Throughout the history of human civilization, no manmade structure has been used to defend territory more than the Wall. Walls have been used to delineate the edges of empires, separate communities, limit migration and provide protection from enemies. As a result, the Wall has become synonymous with imperialism, segregation, racism and isolationism. But what about instances when security outweighs all other concerns? Is there a way to use the wall to maintain security without negatively impacting the greater community? In the case of a military installation located in an urban environment, this is a real issue. Walls which protect the sensitive content within, also serve to divide the community. These necessary physical barriers have the incidental consequence of segregating the servicemembers and government civilians within from the community which they serve. I contend that the thoughtful treatment of these barriers can create a “third place” ripe for interaction between the installation and the surrounding community. By designing retail, educational and cultural spaces along the border, the security of the installation can remain intact while also fostering an active relationship with its surroundings. After all, as Eduardo Lozano states, “a settlement with internal defense walls cannot be called a true community.”

In today's society urban liveliness has moved from the center of city to its periphery in a diluted manner. There exists the continuation of monotonous cityscape as by-product and leftover of architecture and urbanism. Herein lies the question: how to build a meaningful 'place' in a site where the sense of place is lost. This book is a record of the challenge in my belief that architecture is generous spatial entity which has both elaborated condition and quality orchestrated by the relationship to its site, structure, and material to enhance the quality of life through the human senses. / Master of Architecture

This paper identifies a range of elements and principles useful for the development of an urban theoretical architecture. Acceptance of nature as a design element and in particular the use of nature to bound nodes of high density development are explored. The use of fractal geometry to distribute the urban footprint upon the landscape is introduced along with a tacit development of methodology making the application of fractal geometry useful. Building height restrictions are suggested as usefull to create urban walls and maintain views for tall buildings. It is proposed that the basic unit of urban design and development is a high intensity urban cell. Elements crucial to the life of urban cells are identified. The importance of architectural character in developing the identity of urban space is reinforced and explored. / Master of Architecture