Concept level tools

Concept level tools are the tools provided in the project VITRUV to support the first of three stages distinguished in the process of urban planning. The collection of concept level tools is called STCUP (Security Tools for Conceptual Urban Planning)

Three planning stages

The three planning stages in urban development

Departing from a concrete goal or problem, the first step in finding a fitting solution in the urban space is to investigate possible solution directions. This encompasses matching the needs from the problem with guidelines, strategies and legal obligations. In this stage of planning, the problem to be solved or goal to be reached is made explicit, possible solution paths are surveyed, and the solutions paths for further investigation in the process are selected. These are later considered in the plan level where possible solutions will be developed and, after selecting one (or more) solutions, worked out in the detail level.

Goal of the concept level tools

Goal of the STCUP is to provide easy-to-use, computer assisted support for city planners in order to systematically include security considerations in the concept stage of their planning.

The STCUP is composed of two inter-related components: the Knowledge Base (Securipedia) and the Risk Assessment (Securban). These components work closely together in supporting the urban planner in a way that is described in a page explaining when to use the concept tool.

Risk Assessment tool (SecuRbAn)

The Risk Assessment tool, a supporting tool for doing a quick security scan to indicate where possible security issues may be, will facilitate the urban planner in making a quick assessment of the security issues that are most relevant to a project or scheme. An important aspect of the Risk Assessment tool is the timely manner in which the urban planner can eliminate the security issues that are not of interest in a specific project or scheme, in order to focus attention on relevant issues. The Risk Assessment is not intended to be very detailed or exhaustive in its assessment, and is intended to indicate possible security issues; the actual analysis is done by the user. The Risk Assessment will link with relevant pages, as appropriate, in the Knowledge Base to provide sufficient information about the security risks, their possible solutions and the impact upon other dimensions to allow urban planners to make well-considered decisions regarding security issues in their development process.

Risk Assessment Primary Output:

• Prioritised list of security issues deemed relevant for addressing the project;
  
• Links to relevant Knowledge Base pages;
  
• A complete list of all possible security issues indicating its relevance to the project (allows quick comparison to see the changes between two risk assessments).
  

The SecuRbAn tool is freely downloadable here.

Knowledge Base (Securipedia)

The Knowledge Base provides the background understanding on subjects that are directly or indirectly related to security for the urban planner. The Knowledge Base has been formulated having regard to the composition of the Urban Environment, which includes Urban Objects (with functions such as Mobility, Economy, Social and Safety etc.), Legal and Ethical Aspects, and urban threats (means and motives). The Knowledge Base explains the relationships between the concepts, relevant to security assessment, for urban planners. For more information about the topics contained in the knowledge base, see structure of the knowledge base.

The Knowledge Base has been purposely designed to be user-friendly and intuitive; it does not provide specific advice about a project but simply provides advice about what subjects to address in the process, and how one can address these subjects.

Securipedia Knowledge Base Primary Output:

• The source of information on security issues highlighted by the Risk Assessment (with links to relevant pages in the Knowledge Base);
  
• A wider repository of information on subjects that are relevant to both the urban planning process and security;
  
• Links to outside sources where relevant information can be found that is beyond the level of detail that the Knowledge Base aims for.
  

Applied example of use

The city authority planning department has recognised that the public transport network has not developed in line with urban population growth and the rate of economic development. The planning department is investigating the suitability of a new tram line through the city connecting with existing bus and rail services at strategic locations to address a near chronic traffic congestion problem, and whether such a proposal would fit with the objectives of the City Integrated Land Use and Transportation Development Plan.

A range of additional factors need to be considered from the outset, including:

• mechanisms to stimulate demand to generate a modal shift in favour of public transport;
  
• consideration of future population growth zones (in particular residential and employment areas, which typically generate the highest transport demand);
  
• the regulatory framework (such as congestion pricing, removal of trucks from city areas etc.); and,
  
• the security and safety aspects of the system, and its components (tram station design, locations, etc.).

STCUP can provide the city authority planning department with the information what security issues might arise from the intended changes in the built environment. The Securipedia provides the necessary information what mechanisms cause these issues and what might be done about it. This information can be integrated in the iterative planning process, ensuring a design with a appropriate balance between the various goals to be pursued.