What is the aim of design guidelines?

The primary aim of design guidelines is to provide recommendations for form and aesthetics. These guidelines serve as a framework to guide landscape architects and designers in creating spaces that are aesthetically pleasing, functional, and cohesive with their surroundings. They often take into consideration the cultural, historical, and environmental context of a site, helping to ensure that new developments or renovations enhance rather than detract from the character of an area.

Design guidelines promote thoughtful design principles that improve the quality of the built environment without stifling creativity. While they set certain standards and expectations, these guidelines can also inspire innovative solutions that fit within the established aesthetic frameworks. Designers can use these recommendations to make informed decisions that align their projects with community values and objectives, fostering a sense of place and identity.

In contrast, options that suggest restricting creativity, eliminating zoning codes, or discouraging public input fundamentally misunderstand the purpose of design guidelines, which are intended to balance creativity with community standards and regulations.