SynopsisContent Page

While the role of "Design" as the process of shaping the physical form and character of our cities cannot be underestimated, what does it mean as an agency of deep positive urban transformation? In this issue we glean into the multiplicity of “Design” as its role in mitigating some of the pressing urban challenges we face today. The articles in this issue go from looking at the design of lighting in cities to the redesign of streets from vehicular conduits to pedestrian- friendly open spaces. They go from discussing how history inspires our design thinking to how the notion of “heritage” becomes a social and cultural catalyst for urban change. They go from comprehending what “Design” means at the scale of an entire region to that of a single building. This issue underscores why “Design” in the context of the city is both a science and an art, how it is related to policy on the one hand and technology on the other, and why it needs to be both visionary and practical.