The relationship of urban design to the comprehensive planning process is examined. Cities must recognize creative design as an essential component of comprehensive planning. The basic elements deemed necessary are' economic factors affecting development, population, land use, transportation facilities including those for mass transportation, travel patterns, terminal and transfer facilities, traffic control features, zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations building regulations, building codes, financial resources, and social and community-like factors, such as preservation of open space, parks and recreational facilities, preservation of historical sites and buildings, environmental amenities, and aesthetics. A specific and detailed study of environmental design quality indicates that an essential basis for the regional plan must include the following major objectives' /1/ examination and analysis of regional historic development to understand the natural and man-made resources responsible for shaping the region, /2/ a visual analysis of the significant natural and man- made features of the region to utilize these resources to their full potential, /3/ creation of an organized regional design framework recognizing the visual and spatial implications of existing and potential design resources, /4/ developing a plan which will make the major natural and man- made features of the region as well structured, distinct and geographically far-reaching as possible, /5/ development of an open space and recreation plan incorporating areas of natural beauty, ample public recreation areas, and generous rights-of-way for connecting parkways and service drives, and /6/ development of a regional freeway, highway, and scenic route plan that may become the most essential man- made feature in the entire regional development effort.
Abstract