Architecture and urban planning: Understand the difference between the two areas!

Architecture and urban planning have been present in our society for a long time. But despite being similar areas, in practice they are very different!

The two fields often cause confusion, as both are related to the organization and structure of spaces.

However, knowing the difference between architecture and urban planning is essential to making the right decision when choosing a professional!

In general terms, architecture is related to the construction of one or more properties and urban planning is related to the construction of a neighborhood or entire city!

So, if you want to know more about these concepts, read this article and learn in detail the difference between architecture and urban planning!

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What is architecture and urban planning and what is the difference?

Typically, architecture and urban planning are presented as the same undergraduate course.

In this way, the student learns about subjects in both areas, whether types of materials, building projects, urban or interior planning, and others.

In addition, you have access to topics regarding graphic representations and projects and structures of internal or external environments.

Therefore, the training of professionals in architecture and urban planning allows them to work in the job market in both fields. Below, you can find the main differences.

Architecture

The term “architecture” comes from the Greek “arkhitekton”, where “arkhé” means “main”, and “tékhton” means “construction”, in Portuguese.

Thus, architecture is related to the construction of spaces, taking into account several aspects, such as protection, functionality and comfort.

The professional architect works by organizing techniques and defining materials to be used in construction of buildings, houses, bridges, viaducts and others.

However, architecture builds these properties in a way that harmonizes the place, according to the following conditions:

• Ventilation;
• Lighting;
• Acoustics;
• Costs to the customer;
• Security;
• Aesthetics;
• Distribution of furniture;
• Practicality;
• Environmental impacts.

Urbanism

The expression comes from the Latin “urbis”, which means “city” in Portuguese, with some differences in relation to architecture.

The focus of urban planning is on the organization and growth of urban centers and society's relationship with this space.

Thus, urban planning is a study that plans the orderly development of neighborhoods and cities.

Thus, this technique takes into account issues such as leisure, mobility, basic sanitation, energy and distribution of businesses.

Although the role of an urban planner is similar to that of an architect, their work focuses on public spaces and the areas that comprise them, such as squares and streets.

Therefore, the objective of urban planning is to propose more intelligent and viable uses of these places, which directly impact the economic and social development of the region.

Therefore, when we deal with urban and regional projects, as well as monuments and cultural heritage, the priority of the job position is that of the urban planner!

Generally, urban planners are most commonly found in public bodies and universities.

However, both architects and urban planners can work in the public or private sector, as freelancers or alongside architecture or construction companies.

Although architecture and urban planning have similar characteristics regarding the planning of a space, the difference between them lies in the complexity of the project.

After all, architecture is related to one or more properties and urban planning encompasses the entire city and the buildings it houses!

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