In this basic textbook, prospective architects, urban and landscape planners receive assistance in working on urban development projects and designs. This edition has been expanded by two chapters on informal urban planning and regional urban development. The contents presented and their preparation are based on the design process in practice and embed it in a theoretical framework of necessary background knowledge. As an introduction, an overview of the understanding of the city, of urban structures and the laws governing them is given. In order to make the multi-layered structure of the city more comprehensible, it is broken down into different layers and building blocks. The approach to urban design is described using the "layer method" in the form of successive phases. Examples of urban development projects and competitions illustrate the individual design steps.