The elements of urban design Theory, Hamid Shirvani :

• Land use has been the focus of traditional physical planning as well as recent general and community development plans.

• Building form and massing are traditional zoning ordinances deal with this aspect of physical from by setting specifics of height, setbacks, and coverage.

• Circulation and parking; it is realistic to assume that the automobile has become an essential part of American life and that the trend will probably continue in the future

• Open space holds different meanings for different professionals. Here it is defined as all landscape, hardscape (roads, sidewalks, and the like), parks, and the recreational space in urban areas.

• Pedestrian ways; for a long time, planning for pedestrians in the design of urban areas was neglected.

• Activity support includes all the uses and activities that help strengthen urban public spaces, for activities and physical spaces have always been complementary to each other.

• Signage; advertising sign have become increasingly important visual elements in American town and cities, particularly since World War II and their increase has not been without controversy.

• Preservation does not refer solely to a concern for historic structure and places, in a broader view, it has also come to mean consideration for all existing structures and places, temporary or permanent.

From the book : “The Urban Design Process “ (Van Nostrand, 1985)