Design Coding for Sustainable Development



Overview

Design codes have been popular in the private sectors for many years, and now codes based on the National Model Design Code (NMDC) are becoming one of the most powerful tools councils have to improve the design of streets and buildings in their area. The National Planning Policy Framework strongly encourages the creation of design codes and the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill requires all councils to create their own. Design codes can help create places that are walkable, healthy, sustainable and contextual and which allow residents to live happy, prosperous lives.

This course sets out what you need to know about design codes (within UK and international contexts) and gives practical advice about how to create successful codes based on Create Streets’ extensive experience working with councils and communities. An introductory session will focus on the theory and purpose of design codes and how they can be used, including how they are different to design guides.

Attendees will be shown how to create provably popular design codes based on the historic context. This will be followed by an in-depth session looking at how to write design codes, with a particular focus on street design, layouts, built form and house types (identity).

After lunch, for those attending in person, a site walkaround in a historic neighbourhood will be followed by a practical workshop led by urban designers and experienced coders where attendees will start working on a design code of their own, putting their new-found knowledge into practice.

At the end of the course, attendees will have a strong grasp of how to use design codes and what key opportunities and risks they may encounter.

This course will be delivered in a hybrid format. The morning session is being offered for both in-person and online participants. The afternoon session is offered for in-person participants only.

Programme details

9:00am– Registration for in-person attendees

9:30am– Introduction and welcome

9:45am– Session 1: What is a design code and how do we use them within communities

10:45am– Short break

11.00am– Session 2: How to write and illustrate sustainable design codes

12:30pm– Online course ends. Lunch for in-person attendees

1:15pm– Site walkaround

2:30pm– Short break

2:45pm– Session 3, Practical Workshop: Coding the green, gentle density street. Creating and illustrating a design code.

4:15pm– Discussion and wrap-up

4:45pm– Day ends

Digital Certification

Digital badge

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add your badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so. 

Fees

Description Costs
In-person tuition £330.00
Online tuition: Half day only £160.00
Hot Lunch (in-person attendance only) £21.25

Payment

Payment of fees must be made in full at the time of booking. 

Please note that businesses and organisations can be invoiced on provision of a Purchase Order and completed application form. These can be emailed to the CWHE Programme Administrator, email: cwhe@conted.ox.ac.uk.

Tutors

This course is delivered in partnership with Create Streets, who have extensive experience creating design codes. Their design code for Surrey County Council has been called one of ‘the most progressive street design guides in the UK’.

Ed Leahy

Course Co Director

Ed Leahy is an Urban Designer at Create Streets and graduated in City Planning from The Bartlett School of Planning after eight years in journalism. During his time at the Bartlett he focused on conservation and design, leading a listing campaign for the University of London Student Union. In 2022 he spent six months studying urban design in the faculty of architecture at Czech Technical University, Prague. At Create Streets he has worked across multiple disciplines, leading the creation of a site design code for Lichfield, while supporting on area-wide codes across the UK. He has also coordinated community engagement projects in Chesham and Lichfield, design education and outreach work with local councils as well as conducting research into urban greenery, and new models of sustainable urban development. Prior to Create Streets he spent a summer as a researcher for We Made That, exploring the impact of the GLA’s Creative Enterprise Zones in London following the Covid pandemic. Ed has a BA in Philosophy from King’s College London, and an MPlan from The Bartlett School of Planning.

George Payiatis

Tutor

George Payiatis BA, MA is a Senior Urban Designer at Create Streets working to create greener, happier and healthier communities. George teaches at the annual Create Streets Foundation Urban Design Summer School.

He has delivered town centre regeneration strategies in Sunderland and Girvan along with a range of masterplanning and street design projects nationwide including sites in Cumbria, Wiltshire, Surrey, South Wales and Benghazi. George worked on the Healthy Streets for Surrey design code, Chatham Town Centre design code and is currently working on a design code for Cheshire West and Chester all underpinned by extensive stakeholder engagement. He was also involved in our research work, most recently leading our ‘Back on Track’ report providing recommendations on how we can make it cheaper and easier to deliver trams in the U.K.

Prior to joining the team at Create Streets he worked on the strategic masterplanning of new communities and large residential schemes throughout the U.K. and abroad ranging from 50 to 6,000 homes.

Course aims

  1. Introduce design codes and their purpose. The course explains what design codes are, how they differ from guides, and why they matter for creating better places.
  2. Build skills in writing and illustrating design codes. You will learn how to create clear, practical codes that reflect local character and support sustainable development.
  3. Apply learning through practical design. You will take part in hands-on exercises, including a site visit and workshop, to draft a design code for a real place.

Learning outcomes

  1. Understand what design codes are and why they matter. You will clearly explain how codes support better planning and place-making.
  2. Identify what makes codes effective. You will recognise the key elements that help design codes succeed in practice, including clarity, context and engagement.
  3. Create a ‘mini’ design code. You will produce a short one page design code with 2 to 3 illustrations that sets out key design principles.

Application

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please contact us to obtain an application form.

Accommodation

Please enquire at the time of booking for availability and prices with Continuing Education Residential Centre res-ctr@conted.ox.ac.uk, +44 (0)1865 270362,

Accommodation | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education

Please do quote the course name as a reference at the time of booking.

All bedrooms are modern, comfortably furnished and each room has tea and coffee making facilities, Freeview television, and Free WiFi and private bath or shower rooms.

IT requirements

If you wish to join the course online for the hybrid sessions only you will be offered the option to select this when you book. The hybrid sessions will be live streamed using Microsoft Teams and you will be sent a link to join the course. The course will be accessible online 15 minutes before the start time and we encourage all participants to join in good time.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support