Urban Design
Urban design is the art of making places for people. The best examples demonstrate an understanding of the way that places function, take care of practical issues like public safety, and provide appealing and welcoming environments. This area of design is focused on enhancing connections between people and places, making villages, towns and cities more accessible and easy to navigate and providing high-quality public space.

Urban design is key to creating sustainable developments and the conditions for a flourishing economic life, for the prudent use of natural resources and for social progress. Good design can help create lively places with distinctive character; streets and public spaces that are safe, accessible, pleasant to use and human in scale; and places that inspire because of the imagination and sensitivity of their designers. (From By Design, from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment).

Liz Lake Associates can undertake rapid area analysis and urban visual impact assessment to contribute to the design development of a project; we work with clients as part of a collaborative and multi-disciplinary process to shape the physical setting for life in cities, towns and villages. We can respond to Design Briefs and prepare Vision Statements. Our expertise is in working alongside other professionals on the cohesive development of single units and groups of buildings, spaces and landscapes to produce the best-quality public realm.

Urban Visual Impact Assessment
An Urban Visual Impact Assessment is sometimes required in residential schemes. This is often used to gauge whether important views of landmark buildings or important landscapes should be retained following implementation of development proposals.

Why not train as a landscape architect?
If you have been inspired by this website, find out more about becoming a landscape architect at the Landscape Institute's website: Iwanttobealandscapearchitect.com.