At all scales, from planning a neighbourhood to designing a building, the effort to change and make the project highly efficient is minimal at the design stage, while later adjustments are much more expensive.

The quality of the places we live in has an impact on all aspects of life; the human experience in space is influenced by key design issues.

Urban design is the art of architecture carried to an urban scale, the site, the neighbourhood or an entire city. Urban design is thus “the art of shaping the interaction between people and places, environment and built-up form, nature and man-made fabric, and influencing the processes which lead to successful villages, towns and cities” (Campbell and Cowan, 2002).

Spatial planning and urban design are thus crucial steps because of the interdependence among the neighbourhood structure, wider city infrastructure, local services, and value creation.

Key Aspects of Sustainable Neighbourhood Planning and Design:

• Innovative designs adapted to the local climate and culture

• Create places for people

• Enrich the existing

• Make connections

• Work with the landscape

• Mix uses and forms

• Target carbon neutrality

• Close the loops

• Design for change

At the same time, design is also influenced by human needs and wants.

It is thus important to link the neighbourhood design to the local context, and even more so, to its inhabitants. The Guidelines suggest a community-based approach, where different sections of the community, for example women, youth and marginalized groups, are part of the process and can provide ideas. This increases the design inclusiveness and will make the development more in tune with the needs of people. Wider sidewalks, for example, allow for ample space for the children and facilitate the mobility of those with disability.