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There are several types of urban design guidelines. The first are guidelines of specific places. There are three main types of these: urban design frameworks, development briefs, and master plans, mentioned in hierarchical order. Urban design framework mainly consists of two-dimensional vision of future infrastructure requirements. Development briefs usually contain a more indicative vision of future development form. Master plans are detailed plans usually prepared by the organization that owns the site. The second type of guidelines relates to specific topics. These, usually called design guides, cover topics such as shop fronts, house extensions, lighting and cycling. Singapore Management University (SMU) New Campus Design Competition Guidelines are considered one of these. The third type of guidelines relates to specific policies, such as policies on conservation areas, transport corridors, waterfronts, promenades and green belts. An established example is the user-centred guidelines, which was derived from user specifications and preferences (Katoshevski & Timmermans, 2001). The fourth type of guidelines relates to a whole local authority area. These may give general urban design guidance for the whole city or county.

There are several roles and benefits of urban design guideline in design process, for example, to promote a visually harmonious community. The urban design guideline is also considered as the most innovative and flexible approach among all development regulations. The development of guidelines will support planning policy, encourage collaborations among stakeholders, create vision for the new environment and guide the development of local design standards. Guidelines were involved in almost all urban design projects, such as new development, rehabilitation and urban public space projects (Cowan, 2002; Moughtin, et al. 1999; Friedman, et. al., 2002; Citizens Party of Hong Kong Central Government, 1999). Most design guidelines contain a comprehensive urban design policy and the full range of design considerations that are important in a locality (Punter, et al. 1994). The guidelines can be classified based on the scales of area affected, including region, metropolis, city, and town, neighbourhood, district and corridor and finally block, street and building (Congress for the New Urbanism, 1996).

The development of database for urban design guidelines require resources such as common urban features, i.e. land coverage, lot size, parking, and their guiding regulations, i.e. FAR, setback, land uses, growth space, additions, sections of lots, and building heights (Friedman, et. al., 2002). The guidelines may provide classification of urban features. For example, the lot types can be classified as corner lots, typical lots and lots with alleys. The development of urban design guidelines database requires an integrated and multi-disciplinary team that understands the importance of quality of urban design.

4. The Role of Data Modelling in Urban Design
Urban design process is essentially a modelling process, where designers use models to represent the urban reality and the design intervention within. Urban design process is where evolution of urban models occurs. The mental models are ideas, theories, and regulations, which are processed in the designer’s mind. The urban design process may not be systematically linear. The designers often use analogue models, such as hand-drawing sketches, or even building massive model, to express their ideas. With the advancement of CAD, design process can utilize digital models, such as computer-based drawings, either in sketches, technical drawings, or 3D models. We argue that ideas and the ruling knowledge behind the urban design process can be systematically represented in the data model as well as the analysis model and design decision model.