1 Precedents & Inspiration

One of the first steps in doing any kind of creative endeavour is looking for inspiration. While not strictly necessary, looking for precedents can help get your creative juices flowing, and give you new ideas you would have never imagined. Precedents or case studies can also support your ideas by showing how they are applied in real-life scenarios. While precedents may make your ideation phase easier and support your design ideas, knowing where to look can be challenging. If you are having a hard time finding relevant precedents, you can use AI image generation to help the process.

Globally

Try looking for inspiration beyond your location, whether online or past in-person trips. Recall if you have visited or know any projects from other parts of the world that could serve as precedents.

Urban design inspiration can be found in places you may not expect. Architects and urban designers have been known to find inspiration in the strangest of places, so make sure to keep an open mind and be ready to find inspiration anywhere you look. Also, do not be afraid to look to the past for design inspiration. Out-of-style architectural and urban design trends may still hold value in informing the designs of our future.

Find Your Own

Urban design inspiration can be found right at your doorstep. Your own city is a living canvas, filled with spaces and architecture that can ignite your creativity and shape your understanding of urban landscapes.

Choose a specific neighbourhood, downtown area, or district you are interested in exploring. While walking around, pay attention to the details: the facades of buildings, public spaces, parks, and streetscapes. Take photographs and notes along the way to document what catches your eye as seen below.

Image: University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus, Toronto. (Source: Khalil Heron)

Image: Rue St Catherine, Montreal. (Source: Khalil Heron)]

Keep an eye out for public meetings relating to urban design initiatives and new developments. In these meetings, professional planners share their rationale behind design choices, which can offer fresh perspectives that transform your understanding of the cityscape and design.

Parks and green spaces can serve as both tranquil escapes and places to gather and play. Analyze the layout, landscaping, and how these areas harmonize with the urban environment. Most importantly look at how these spaces are used by people. Are spaces being used as intended, or are people adapting spaces to their own wants and needs?

Tips:

• Before you embark on your expedition, it can help to do some preliminary research. Gather information about the history, architectural styles, notable landmarks, developments, and neighbourhoods in your city.
• As you find inspiration online, create a digital scrapbook by saving images, articles, and links that resonate with your project. Then, organize your findings into folders or boards for easy reference.
• As you collect photographs, sketches, and notes during your explorations, compile them into a design inspiration journal. Reflect on what elements resonate with you and how you can incorporate them into your own design projects.

These case studies above in a previous assignment have informed the final urban design for the 100-year vision for the Laurel Greenway as seen below. Notice how the images again are telling a story. In this case, the precedents next to the relevant site plan and cross-section are supporting key design elements regarding sustainability, flood mitigation, wayfinding, accessibility and other aspects to make the project’s design more robust and realistic.

Check out the interactive below of a student group project covering a new 100-year vision of the Laurel Greenway called the Floral Greenway. Click on the green “i” icons to learn more! Feel free to go into full-screen mode by clicking the top-right button.