The students also analyzed the urban structure of the neighborhoods (a five-minute walk from center to edge) enabling access to daily needs without the use of the car. While an interconnected thoroughfare system provides choices for walking, blocks and lots define well-proportioned streets and urban rooms encouraging safety and security. In addition to this, special sites for public buildings across the urban fabric will also supply landmarks for orientation. Finally, a diversity of building types that contribute to the character of neighborhoods also enables a varied assortment of age and income.
The students experienced all of this while sketching and drawing what they observed. Their drawings explore ideas and design solutions, constituting the research of urban design. No urban and architectural design topics were off limits: analyzing the topography of the land, xeriscape, the seashore and its relationship to the urban structure, sea level rise, and increasing hurricane threats were all part of this study of urban design.
The instructors hope that these immersive learning experiences will enable students to apply lessons learned immediately in their urban design studio work as well as their future professional life. Many graduates of the University of Miami’s Urban Design Program refer to this early trip to Florida's panhandle as a defining influence on their professional trajectory.
