site planning process research and inventory

7/27/2019 Site Planning Process Research and Inventory

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Site planning process/research and inventory

Important information to be considered in research and inventory phase

1. Natural

2. Cultural

3. Aesthetic factors

NATURAL FACTORS

1. Geology (from the Greek , g, "earth" and ,logos, "study") is the science comprising the

study of solid earth the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology

gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics,

the evolutionary history of life, and past climates. In modern times, geology is commercially important

for mineral and hydrocarbon exploration and for evaluating water resources; is publicly important for the

prediction and understanding of natural hazards, the remediation of environmental problems, and for

providing insights into past climate change; plays an essential role in geotechnical engineering; and is a

major academic discipline.

2`. Geomorphology- is the branch of geology that deals with the study of origin and natural

distribution of landforms

Physiography describes the landform condition

Landforms refers to the description of the earths surface derived from the volcanic or erosional

processes.

Soil- the study of the inherent charscteritics of soil aid in making decision with regards to the type of

foundation for structures, location of activities and developments such as residential, commercial,

recreational, industrial, etc. Soil type is an important factor in landscaping in determining softscapes to be

specified in a given site.

a. soil composition-organic matter, mineral particles, water, air

b. mineral particles- sand and gravel provide for the greatest stability giving relatively high bearing

capacity. clay tend to be more variable in stability .

Soil bearing capacity refers to the soil resistance to penetration from a weighted object such as building

foundation.

Classes of soil- clay, loam, sand

Topography and slopes

Slope analysis (see earlier lectures for computation) is a process of determining the shape of the ground

to accommodate specific activities (residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, etc).

Slopes Descriptions

0% -5% generally flat suitable for all possible developments

5%-10% gently rolling moderately buildable

10%-15% gentle to mild slopes moderately difficult terrain

15%-20% mild to steep slope difficult terrain


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20%- above harsh, steep slope unbuildable

Slope requirements for various land uses

Land use maximum minimum optimum

Housing sites 20% 0% 2%

playgrounds 2%-3% .05% 1%

Parking lots 3% .05% 1%Sidewalks 10% 0% 1%

streets 15% 1%

20kmph 12%

30kmph 10%

40kmph 8%

50kmph 7%

60kmph 5%

70kmph 4%

Industrial sites

factories 3%-4% 0% 2%

Vegetationrelevant plant materials in site planning Climate control

Uses:Climate ControlVisual barrierAesthetics definition

Space definition

View control

moodNoise controlPollution controlGlare and reflection controlErosion control

Wildlife habitat of flora and faunaOpen land wildlife-birds and mammals often associated with crop fields, meadows, pastures, and non-forested lands.

Hydrology surface and sub-surface drainage patterns of water such as river, lakes, seas, etc. For site

planning. These bodies of water require thorough flood study

Flood plains are areas susceptible to flooding

Aquifers are water-bearing strata of rocks, gravel, or sand in which the ground water is restored

Wetlands are areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency

or duration sufficient to support life. Marsh is an example of a wetland.

Swamp lands are covered with water or have water-logged soil.


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Soil suitability- for land uses such as absorption fields for septic tank, street and parking areas,

dwellings with basements, ponds or reservoir, recreation facilities, like playing fields. Soil classification

as a requirement for plant habitat.

Vegetation-pertains to plants, land covers such as creepers, grass, shade giving trees, fruit bearing trees,

trees for timber, plants for aesthetics, food medicinal, ecological balance, etc.

Eco-system pertains to water and land

Wildlife-pertains to flora (plants) and fauna (animals) existing on open land, woodland and wetland. It is

an important consideration in choosing sites for recreational areas; for large areas to be converted to

other uses (subdivisions, golf courses, etc).

CULTURAL FACTORS

Existing land use-patterns of existing land use must be designated in relation to the site. Community

facilities, residential, commercial, industrial, recreational uses are studied to denote overall trends in thedevelopment that may have bearing on the uses of the land adjacent to and including the site under

study. The site planner should determine the future development of the site.

Off site nuisances-visual, auditory, or olfactory and safety hazards must be considered such as railroad

tracts, automobiles, air traffic, etc.

Linkages- involve movement of people ,

goods, communications, or amenities. Addition of parkways, pedestrians, housing would need

strengthening of linkages.

Traffic- what is the relationship of traffic patterns to each other and to the site? Depending on the

complexity of the problem, these mode of transportation should be reviewed to show if and how these

facilities will integrate with the future site development.

1. Volume of traffic

2. Origin and destination

3. Purpose

4. Time of the day

5. Volume of people

Density and Zoning

Density- the most important sociological and legal element of development. For residential, it is

expressed in number of families or dwellings per given space. It may also be expressed in floor area

ratio or gross floor area covering the site-if all floor areas were spread out and assumed to be one storey

in height as compared with the total site acreage.

Density influence privacy, freedom of movement or social contact of people.


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Zoning-one of the many legal and administrative devices which city plans are implemented. Zoning

promotes health, safety and general welfare of the public. Zoning regulates:

1. Setbacks

2. Building heights

3. Parking adjustments

4. Building bulk

5. Maximum lot coverage

6. Types of building use

7. Density

Subdivision regulations-control the development of real estate by requiring the developers to meet

specific requirements and design standards that are established so a plot can be recorded and lots be

sold. The regulations may concern:

1. Street layout

2. Lot sizes

3. Community facilities such as playgrounds, schools, religious service

4. Unsaleable lots for open spaces5. Community utilities such as water, electricity, communications services.

Socio-economic factors-study of community and its social and economic structure is very important.

Demographic- population trends in a local market area can identify the potential user or consumer.

Demographic characteristics are:

1. Birth

2. Sex

3. Death

4. Age5. Family size

6. Occupation

7. Income level

8. Housing accommodation

9. Tax rates, others

Existing buildings-will strongly influence the physical layout of the new site plan and will help establish

the grading and drainage of the site. These existing buildings will also determine the choice of the

future architectural expression in the building type, color, facade. Texture, material, roof style etc. To

ensure coherence and unity in the design.

Aesthetic Factors

Natural-outstanding features of the earth, rock, water and plant materials.

Spatial patterns-views on site may be pleasing or objectionable bears heavily on the orientation of the

building. This factor should be carefully studied:


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1. Views are framed, open, enclosed

2. Filtered or screened. Be sure to note their sequence.

Visual barriers-elements such as elevated highways or rivers cut off views or part of a community.

Vistas-may be natural or man-made. It is the dominant focal point or terminus that is strongly

emphasized and is framed and balanced by minor elements forming masses to enclose the vista and

screen out conflicting objects from composition. The open space or line of site of the vista is strongly

directional element leading the observer toward the focal point of closer observation.

SITE INVENTORY

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

Topography

(elevation,slope)

Hydrology

(drainage,

patterns,wetlands,aqui

fer recharge areas)

Soils

(stability,

erodability,bearing

capacity)

Geology

(landforms, seismic

hazards, depth to

bedrock)

Microclimate

(solar access, winds,

precipitation, frost,

BIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES

Ecological

communities

(green infrastructure,

habitats,patches and

corridors)

Vegetation

(specimen,

trees,exotic,invasive species

habitat or threatened

species)

CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES

Land use

(districts, sites, buildings etc)

Open spaces

Legal regulations

site planning process research and inventory

Documents