What is good urban Design?

What is good urban design?

Good design is not just about making places visually attractive.

* It delivers value for money. Design costs are a small percentage of construction costs, but it is through the design process that the greatest impact can be made on the quality, efficiency and overall sustainability of buildings.
* encourages local community identity over big brand 'anywhere anyplace' anonymity and ensures attention to creating places that respond to people's needs and help community cohesion.
* improves the longer-term "liveability", management and maintenance of the built environment, including public places such as streets and parks, to ensure spaces can stay clean, safe and green.
* contributes to the achievement of sustainable development by respecting historic context, making best use of resources, and being able to respond to change.