CHAPTER 6: THE SITE DESIGN PROCESS Flashcards
What are the site design objectives?
- Protect the environment from unnecessary impacts (soil, air, water)
- Restore environmentally degraded areas (soil, air, water, habitats)
- Reuse already developed sites (shopping center and brownfields)
- Build compact, distinctive, walkable places (smart growth)
- Conserve resources (use of energy, water, building materials)
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Define ‘form based code’.
Type of land development regulation that uses the physical form of the built environment as its primary organizing principles
It promotes high-quality urban design, unlike zoning which controls allowed uses.
What is the ‘floor area ratio’?
A measurement that quantifies the intensity of development by calculating the ratio of a building’s total floor area to the size of the land it’s built on
Used in zoning regulations to control urban density and building size.
List the benefits of mixed-use development.
- Provide a distinct sense of place
- Encourage sustainability via efficient, high-density development
- Cater to a diverse public
- Encourage pedestrian activity and use of public transit
- Create active public spaces
- Greater public safety due to increased site usage
- Conductive to urban infill redevelopment and reuse of historic structures
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What challenges are associated with mixed-use development?
- Zoning ordinances usually discourage mixed use
- Require complex financing
- Increased project complexity
- Extensive interdisciplinary coordination required
- More extended or complex development approval process
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What is Transit Oriented Development (TOD)?
Encourages mixed use, high density development in areas surrounding multi-modal transportation hubs
Developments should be within 1/8 mile of transit hubs in downtown areas.
What are the primary and secondary areas in TOD?
- Primary: Area within 1/4 mile of a transit hub
- Secondary: 1/4 to 1/2 mile from a transit hub
These areas are key for planning transit-oriented developments.
List the principles that guide transit-oriented developments.
- Encourage high density development
- Mitigate urban sprawl
- Mix commercial/office and residential uses
- Provide housing for all price ranges
- Reduce parking requirements
- Encourage use of public transit
- Create walkable communities and active public spaces
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What is cluster development?
Development that does not increase the density of a site but groups allowed units into clusters of greater density to preserve open space
It helps protect critical natural and cultural resources.
What are the benefits of cluster development?
- Preservation of open space and site character
- Protection of critical natural and cultural/historic resources
- Reduction of impervious surfaces
- Lowered construction costs for infrastructure
- Reduction in site disturbance/grading
- Reduced visual impact of existing communities
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Define Planned Unit Development (PUD).
A tract of land controlled by one entity, planned and developed as a single project over a long period
Allows consolidation of multiple parcels into a master planned project.
What are greenfield sites?
Land that has not been touched, developed, or used for agriculture
Development on greenfield sites should be discouraged whenever possible.
What services do greenfield sites provide?
- Reduction of stormwater flows
- Improvements to air and water quality
- Food production
- Habitat preservation
- Cultural and natural preservation
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What are brownfield sites?
Previously developed land that is not currently in use, complicated by the presence of hazardous materials
Estimated 450,000 brownfields in the US.
What is required before the sale of a brownfield property?
A Phase I environmental assessment
It determines past ownership and identifies potential contamination.
List the benefits of brownfield development.
- Ecosystem restoration
- Protecting and improving public health
- Economic development and job growth
- Increasing property values
- Creating community amenities and services
- Reuse of existing infrastructure
- Reduced urban sprawl
- Often located adjacent to public transit routes
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What challenges are associated with brownfield development?
- Extent and location of contamination
- Unclear costs and risks
- Condition of existing structures
- Potential lack of access to public infrastructure
- Lack of clear ownership/title
- Property market conditions
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Define greyfield sites.
Underutilized or abandoned retail and commercial properties located in urban and suburban areas
Typically characterized by large buildings surrounded by parking lots.
List the benefits of greyfield sites.
- Ecosystem restoration
- Economic development and job growth
- Increasing property values
- Creating community amenities and services
- Reuse of existing infrastructure
- Reduced urban sprawl
- Highly adaptable to new uses
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What is urban infill?
The practice of developing vacant or underutilized properties within an existing community
Typically more complex and costly than developing a greenfield site.
List the benefits of urban infill development.
- Neighborhood revitalization
- Greater sense of community
- Economic development and job growth
- Providing housing near jobs and services
- Adjacent to existing infrastructure
- Increase in community services and amenities
- Decreasing automobile use
- Transit-oriented development and walkable neighborhoods
- Increasing property values
- Reduced urban sprawl
- Mitigate safety hazards
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What are the challenges to urban infill development?
- Restrictive zoning practices
- Expensive infrastructure upgrades
- Difficult parking requirements
- Community opposition
- Financing may be more difficult
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What is the conceptual design process?
The first time a designer determines what goes where on the site, relying heavily on the site’s character
Involves adaptation and revision based on feedback.
List the key goals and activities of the conceptual design process.
- Synthesize data from site analysis
- Develop and evaluate proposed site program
- Consider design alternatives
- Draft a design brief
- Establish performance metrics and design principles
- Utilize design studies
- Complete a conceptual cost estimate
- Organize a preliminary phasing plan
- Determine interdisciplinary coordination needs
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What are the on-site determinants in design?
- Physical conditions
- Regulations and standards
- Open space
- Boundary interface with off-site properties
These factors affect the design process significantly.
What are the off-site determinants in design?
- Neighborhood and community character
- Nuisances
- Number and location of site entrances
- Presence of significant views
Off-site conditions can influence site accessibility.
Define functional use diagram.
A type of drawing that illustrates the relationship between project elements without being drawn to scale
Often referred to as a ‘spatial relationship diagram’.
What elements do concept plans identify?
- Open space
- Circulation
- Development pods/activity zones
Concept plans organize proposed elements approximately where they are to be located.
What is the ultimate goal of schematic design?
To develop a clearly defined and feasible scheme for the project
This can be translated into the design development phase.
List the key goals and activities of the schematic design.
- Refine content from the concept design phase
- Develop a site context plan
- Identify a preferred plan option
- Document compliance and regulatory requirements
- Coordinate with offsite systems
- Estimate probable construction cost
- Develop study models and character images
- Prepare illustrative elevations and 3D drawings
- Define materials and components palette
- Prepare schematic construction phasing diagram
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What is the Basis of Design (BOD)?
A set of documents that formally establishes a project’s design intent and evaluates conformance to the desired design
It serves as a comprehensive record of the decision-making process.
What does the BOD provide?
A basis for comparing design alternatives and selecting the most suitable solution
Ensures project meets functional, aesthetic, and environmental goals.
What are the key questions addressed in the design development phase?
- Is the design coordinated?
- Will the design perform as intended?
- Is the design fully resolved?
DD serves as a record of these decisions.
List the key goals and activities of the design development phase.
- Communicate team member roles
- Identify key interdisciplinary coordination needs
- Establish quality control and cost estimating procedures
- Confirm regulatory approval drawing requirements
- Identify key deadlines
- Create mock-ups of project documents
- Refine the construction budget
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