International Journal of Architectural Engineering & Urban Planning
Volume:19 Issue: 6, Jun 2009

In this paper, authors tackle three very important questions that need to be answered if a theory of design is to be constructed. The first is what designers do, Which we attempt to illustrate with the help of case studies and theories of design practice. The second question is what guides designers. Here, authors try to present some of the proposed normative positions about design, to show the similarities and differences between positions and a framework of how they can be categorized. The main (third) question is how the design thinking process can be represented drawing upon on a review of recent studies of design practice and designer''s creativity.
One approach to design thinking is to extract the features of the designers'' strategic knowledge, for which comparative studies between expert designers and novices are useful. Also, controlled experimental studies may be adopted in order to understand the nature of the idea generation process.
Finally, the methods of research and representation of design thinking in order to gain a deeper understanding of the designers'' creativity are proposed.

When a specific building is examined and analysed for its architectural merits, it is the visible, superficial aspects, which are considered, for example: aesthetics, function, spatial relationships, and landscape. One of the most important invisible factors that should be considered in the design process is the safety of buildings against natural hazards, particularly against earthquakes. While the provision of earthquake resistance is accomplished through structural means, the architectural designs and decisions play a major role in determining the seismic performance of a building. In other words, the seismic design is a shared architectural and engineering responsibility, which stems from the physical relationship between architectural forms and structural systems. It is economic to incorporate earthquake resistance in the stage of design than to add it later in the structural calculation or strengthening after completion. In addition, a building with proper earthquake-proof design will be more effective against earthquakes than the one with complementary strengthening. This paper will demonstrate that evidence for this lies in many historical buildings, which have withstood earthquakes throughout the hundreds of years without having been reinforced with special material. The fact is that the master builder or Mimar (traditional architect) of historic buildings was simultaneously designing the architecture as well as choosing the suitable form, proportion, and material for the best structural performance.

The present paper will investigate the specific elements of architectural design based on Islamic beliefs, by taking Iranian Architectural values and vernacular climate design methods into consideration. This research will assess the spirit of experimental elements, created by the inhabitants, according to recent scientific findings. The main concentration will be on the physical design of rural areas in hot, arid and sunny regions of Iran in order to have active and healthy environments and to emphasize on transferring all these sustainable values to the future.

The study seeks to address the importance of urban stream ecosystems from the perspective of urban ecology, human health and social well-being in the context of urban planning. The case study area is Paveh stream in the City of Paveh. The data from the case study area were gathered from questionnaire, existing scientific and library studies and by conducting interviews with residents and authorities. Once the importance of the biodiversity of the stream had been studied based on the existing ecological data, the social importance of the stream and the linkages between human health, social well-being and the biodiversity of the stream ecosystem were addressed.
Based on the results of the survey and other sources of information, it was discussed that urban stream ecosystems can be rich in biodiversity and function as ecological movement corridors for species .Urban stream corridors can thus be an important part of the urban green infrastructure .Also we can make the weather fine, extend green space, prepare peaceful environment for residents and bring the countryside effects of nature into cities through improvement of stream landscape.
Finally, regarding the finding of this study some suggestions and implications are mentioned to improve the quality of the stream.

Cracks emerge due to various forces or stresses. After discerning the cracks preferably by non-destructive techniques, there is a need to find the reason for their appearance. With very exact analysis of the shape, form and dimension of the cracks and their location on the structural elements, we can deduce the reason for their formation. This makes, proposing a suitable solution for preventing the expansion of cracks possible.

This paper will promote many questions about the design validity of these exciting blocks. The physical design of these blocks is prone to have social and economical problems, and it is part of the visual pollution and disturbance created on the sky line of Scottish cities special Glasgow. This paper focuses on the necessity to establish a source of initial design for high rise housing design problem classes theory. A thorough research of all the estates in Glasgow area was launched. Thus, a high amount of information was classified, in an attempt to establish a theoretical approach to support the evaluation and appraisal of current blocks problems. The new class''s theory in high rise housing design problems is used as a vehicle for conducting this paper analysis. Classification includes physical and social design problems domains. The physical problems domain variables of the numbers of stories, dwellings, entrances, type of corridor, access from the streets and sharing of the site. Furthermore, to the social problems domain variables of graffiti, damage, litter, crime, drugs, child density and health have been examined. Moreover, their interdependent relationships were explored throughout the new classes'' theory. The study of the new classes, theory may prove to be extremely vital for future direction in adapting some from of urban design problem solving techniques. It also serves as an evaluation tool for housing design appraisal in the city from Glasgow and similar cities worldwide.