Abstract
In A City is Not a Tree, Christopher Alexander identified the creative challenge of how to generate the intricate complexity of traditional urbanism . In doing so, he also hypothesized a cognitive constraint: that it is too difficult for planners to conceive the kind of complexity found in traditional urban structures in a single mental act. To explore the relationship between complex design , creative challenge and cognitive constraint, this chapter reports on student design exercises using Alexander’s Pattern Language as a generator of urban form . The study provides insights into the creative challenge faced by students using patterns in their designs, and helps shed light on the cognitive aspect of design using patterns; and hence draws conclusions about the implications of using patterns for creating complex designs.
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Notes
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This doubt raises the question: Do students continue to use patterns later on in their studies, or do they revert to conventional design elements, such as a neighborhood, park or car park? Even if they do not use patterns again, students might benefit from the insights they have gained through using them, including the process of experimentation and alternative ways of thinking about urban fabric; some anecdotal evidence suggests this is the case.
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Acknowledgement
I am grateful to the students of the Urban Form and Formation class of 2011–2012 at UCL for their insights, and for allowing their work to feature in this chapter.
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Marshall, S. (2016). Creative Challenge and Cognitive Constraint: Students’ Use of A Pattern Language for Complex Design. In: Portugali, J., Stolk, E. (eds) Complexity, Cognition, Urban Planning and Design. Springer Proceedings in Complexity. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32653-5_14
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32653-5_14
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