Urban Design

Urban Design - 'the art of making places'

Urban Design relates not only to main towns and cities but hamlets, villages and new developments. It is the complex inter-relationship between built form, space, landscape, movement and use that when combined together create the composition of places that reinforce the identity of an existing area or justify a new identity.

We offer specialist urban design services and advice that shapes and supports development proposals and can establish design guidance and frameworks for places. Through the combination of Urban Design and Planning skills, Murphy Associates can take clients through the planning and design stages for major developments. This includes involvement with the initial design concept, urban design strategy to the final scheme.

Major Developments
We work with clients, architects and other consultants on the initial design concept to the end product, demonstrating the evolution and appropriateness for a scheme.

Our approach is tailored to meet the needs of each project, place and client to help raise certainty and confidence in the successful outcome of projects.

Eimear Murphy has been involved in producing Area Action Plans, Urban Design Strategies and Concepts, Town Improvement Plans and Urban Expansions, public realm schemes, major mixed use developments, tall buildings and transport interchange.

We are currently working on schemes in Brighton CIty Centre and South London where a strong understanding of typology, urban grain and character are essential.

Design Documents/Guidance
Guidance can take the many different forms from design briefs setting principles to design codes providing very detailed guidance.

Whatever its form, design guidance is a key tool for promoting design quality through the development processes of planning, financial bidding and procurement and also to provide the basis for assessing development proposals.

We have been involved in the preparation and production of design briefs setting principles to design codes providing very detailed guidance for change.

Eimear was one of the writers and contributors to the Wealden Design Guide which is covers many topics as well as the design of new residential developments. And its final layout.

Community Planning
Asa result of the Localism Act 2012, Parish or Town Council or community groups can instigate the preparation of Neighbourhood Plans creating the opportunity for local communities to take control of the shaping and quality of their towns and villages, how they will grow, change and look.

Murphy Associates works with Neighbourhood Groups and/or Parish/Town Councils to develop and manage their Neighbour Plan through the complexities of the planning process.

We are currently involved in a community workshop for the improvement of a local park in Hove - services are provided without charge.

Critical Friend
At the other end of the spectrum, Murphy Associates can act as a ‘critical friend’ for Local Authorities to assess Major Developments at pre-application stage through the formal planning process. This service has already been provided to a number of Local Authorities, often resulting in successful outcomes for both sides.

We have aprovided advice on major developments in Crowborough, Stone Cross, Hailsham, Tunbridge Wells, Newry (NI), Newhaven, Seaford, Hastings, the London Borough of Sutton. She was also part of an initial team for the selection of designers for one of the Mayors's 100 Spaces for London Project.