Entering the design phase Flashcards
EIS
Environmental Impact Studies (or a less comprehensive review known as an environmental impact assessment or EIA) generally address the extent of impact that a proposed development will have on a site and its environmental resources. They will also provide recommendations for site monitoring and suggest strategies for mitigation. Note that an environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required for any and every project, and they are used for both public and private projects. Rather, an EIS is often required only for those projects that are expected to have significant (negative) environmental impacts and are thus intended to inform decisionmakers (such as plan reviewers or other public agency staff) and the public of the impacts of a proposed development and describe to them any reasonable alternatives that would avoid or minimize adverse impacts or enhance the quality of the human environment.
EIS must contain
Description (including maps) of the area(s) to be affected by a proposed development
An inventory and analysis of the site’s resources
Detailed studies of the environmental consequences of development. Note that this forms the basis for comparisons to any proposed development alternatives and/or mitigation
Description of development alternatives and/or mitigation, including the impacts of those alternatives and/or mitigation
Environmental site assessment
a similar name to an EIS, but exists for a different purpose. An ESA is a report prepared for a real estate holding that identifies potential or existing environmental contamination liabilities on a site, and it often entails historical research to determine if past site uses would have caused a release of hazardous substances and determine if any environmental issues (e.g. soil contamination) still exist at the site.
Feasibility study
A feasibility study provides critical information, including:
Market analysis (for private sector projects)
Development yield of a site (taking into account physical and regulatory constraints)
Regulatory permits and approvals required for project approval
Estimated project timeline (including political obstacles/incentives that can be expected)
Budget/ funding mechanisms available for project funding
Initial design concepts
Concept Design Step 1
Delineate primary and secondary conservation areas
Concept Design Step 2
In the remaining site areas, delineate the locations that are suitable for development
Concept Design Step 3
Within the areas suitable for development, delineate the development ‘‘pods,’’ considering their accessibility
Concept Design Step 4
Locate the primary and secondary circulation systems, considering the sizes and shapes of the remaining developable areas.
On Site Determinenants
Physical conditions (e.g., site size and shape, steep slopes, microclimatic factors such as wind direction and sun/shade patterns)
Regulations and standards (e.g., zoning codes, building codes and design guidelines)
Open space (to protect natural resources and/or buffer developed areas from hazards such as floods and landslides)
Boundary interface with off-site properties and public infrastructure
Off Site Determinents
Neighborhood, community, and regional character
Nuisances (e.g., adjacent highway that produces noise, odors, and undesirable views)
Number and location of site entrances (adjacent streets or transit stops suggest preferred locations for providing access to the site)
Presence of significant views
Functional use diagram
a drawing that illustrates the relationship between project elements (often site program) without being drawn to scale or in relationship to the site.
Concept plan diagram
organize the project’s proposed elements approximately where they are to be located on the site, and they tend to identify three key site elements:
Open space
Circulation
Development pods/activity zones
Concept plan elements
Open Space: active and passive recreation areas, conservation areas
Buildings
Landmarks (including specimen trees)
Vehicle Circulation: streets and site entrances, passenger drop-off areas, parking, loading/service areas
Pedestrian Circulation: walkways, crosswalks, site and building entrances, meeting areas/nodes
Other Circulation: bike paths, public transit stations, lines and stops
Utilities (including easements)
Views: prominent/notable views to and from the site
When presenting to the public…
The general public has difficulty understanding plan view drawings, as well as general technical drawings (e.g., construction detailing)
Photographs and photo-realistic perspective renderings are the most effective way to communicate visual information to a generalist audience
Technical and specialist language should be avoided whenever possible, as it is difficult for most people to understand
When using graphics and other visual aids, ensure that they are written in clear language and that information is shown at a size such that it is legible by all members of the audience
No single presentation style fits all situations. Choose the best format to meet your objectives.
5 factors when communicating graphics
- Message: In short, what is the message that the graphic is trying to communicate and was this message received by its intended audience.
- Medium: Clarity is achieved by simplifying the message and by omitting extraneous information. Therefore, what is the correct type of graphic needed to communicate the intended message.
- Audience: Project graphics should help orient and inform the intended audience, and an audience’s expertise and familiarity with planning and design should determine what—and how—project information is conveyed. This often requires emphasizing the most important information and omitting less important and potentially distracting information.
- Setting: Setting should be considered when preparing and organizing graphic information. If a presentation will occur in a large meeting room, graphics should likely be projected onto a large screen. In a smaller setting, printed drawings mounted on foam-core presentation boards may be more appropriate and, therefore, effective.
- Time: The amount of time available to prepare and present the graphic materials can help determine what graphic techniques are most appropriate. Although graphics should always be as simple and clear as possible, if the audience has the opportunity to spend a great deal of time with the work, then more detailed information can be conveyed.
