The Development of Optimization Methods in Generative Urban Design: A Review

Abstract

Design optimization, as one of the major generative designmethods, has been studied ever since the 1960s. However,half a century later, in an urban design context, it is still inthe research and experimental phase and rarely employed inactual projects. This paper aims to reflect design optimisa-tion methods through a comprehensive review from the per-spective of historical development, competitors’ success andfuture trends. It also proposes a conceptual framework to en-hance current optimisation methods with machine learningfor generative urban design.