Chapter 4: Graphics in the Urban Design Process

Urban graphics help to facilitate the urban design process at every stage, from project inception through to final proposals. They help to connect and promote a common understanding between urban design teams, their clients, the communities and the stakeholders they serve at each stage of a project.

Urban design processes are many and varied. It is therefore helpful to break down the process into four of the most common stages and then to look at the broad range of graphical techniques suitable for each.

Urban design projects and schemes typically focus on specific urban areas or sites. However, successful projects are founded upon the development of a shared understanding of the wider context beyond the project or scheme boundary. The structure, character and qualities of the wider context can be explored and communicated graphically. Such images can convey: