LARE Section 2 Flashcards
A project program will always include:
- A list of goals and objectives
- Elements to be included in the design
- Special requirements for the design to fulfill
What is the difference between goals and objectives?
Goals are general statements of intent for the overall design, objectives are specific statements that suggest how goals are going to be accomplished. They are more action oriented.
What information guides programming studies?
- Market Analyses
- Literature review
- User demand studies
- Stakeholder interviews/surveys
- Analysis of relevant precedents
- Client objectives
- Project budget
Site selection is guided by….
- project objectives
- project requirements
- the general location/area/region for desired use
What are the benefits of a thorough site selection?
- Improved site function
- Greater convenience and access for users
- Reduced construction costs
- Reduced maintenance operational costs
- Improved aesthetics
- Reduced environmental impacts
What are the seven steps of the site selection process are as follows:
- Determining the project objectives and requirements
- Establishing the site selection criteria
- Identifying potential sites
- Evaluating each potential site against the project requirements
- Ranking the potential site against one another
- Selecting the ideal site
- Testing the project’s feasibility
Which type of development should be encouraged: urban in-fill/brownfield developments vs. greenfield sites?
Urban In-fill and Brownfield Sites
Urban In-Fill
development on unused and underutilized lands within urban areas
Brownfield Site
Any previously developed land that is not currently in use. It may be potentially contaminated, but it is not required for and area to be referred to as “brownfield”
Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment
Site assessment required on all brownfield sites prior to the sale of the property to determine the past and current site ownership and to identify if any activities took place that would have resulted in site contamination.
Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment
Required to determine the location and remediation of contaminants on site and to establish if future
What does an environmental impact statement include?
- A 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 an/or mitigation, including the impacts of those alternatives and/or mitigation
What is a PUD?
Although sometimes included as part of zoning regulations, PUDs are often framed as a variation of traditional zoning practices or “rezoned” special districts.
PUDs are a tract of land that is controlled by one entity and planned and developed as a single development (at once or in stages) over a relatively long period of time (generally 5-15 years). PUDs allow the consolidation of multiple parcels into a single master-planned project, often for mixed-use development. PUDs provide greater flexibility in meeting the density and land use requirements for the site as a whole and- as such- allow for the protection of environmentally sensitive areas and the creation of walkable neighborhoods, among other benefits.
What would be requested for a project that proposes higher densities and mixed uses on some portions of the site and preservation of open space on others?
Planned Unit Development
The site inventory should be…
a focused process of collecting and mapping essential attribute attribute data for the site and its context
What does a topographic survey include?
- Topographic Contours
- Spot Elevations
- Vegetation and physical attributes: including streams, rock outcroppings and wooded areas
- Utilities
- Boundaries
What is a topographic survey?
Like a boundary survey, topographic information is often conducted as part of the scope of an ALTA survey. However, there are numerous instances when a client or designer needs updated or higher resolution topographic information an- in these instances- they would commission a topographic survey
Which attributes can be combined to produce a solar radiation map?
Slope, aspect, vegetation, soils
What are native plant associations defined by?
Repetition of the dominant plants indigenous to a given area
Wetland delineation is defined by changes in…
hydric soils, must support wetland vegetation
How is plant health affected by a reduction in available phosphorous and potassium?
Reduced production of fruits, seeds, and root growth
The seven steps of the site selection process are as follows:
Determining the project objectives and requirements
Establishing the site selection criteria
Identifying potential sites
Evaluating each potential site against the project requirements
Ranking the potential site against one another
Selecting the ideal site
Testing the project’s feasibility
What is the difference between site inventory and site analysis?
site inventory is the process of documenting various site data while site analysis requires the landscape architect to interpret the site inventory data to make conclusions relevant to the design process.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of developing a brownfield site or an urban infill site?:
- Economic revitalization
- Providing housing near jobs and services
- Decreasing automobile use (less traffic, pollution, carbon emission reduction)
- Transit-oriented development of walkable neighborhoods
- Greater sense of community
Is the same type of information collected and analyzed for each project?
No, it depends on the project schedule, budget, developmental regulations, etc.
What does a community resource inventory include?
map wetlands, archaeological sites, scenic views, and significant wildlife habitats as well as ecological and cultural resources such as forests, floodplains, farmland, aquifers, and historic structures.
What is an initial site reconnaissance?
The site reconnaissance may take the form of an in-person site visit, but it may also involve reviewing basic site data, such as an existing survey of the site.
What happens after the site reconnaissance takes place?
After the initial reconnaissance- and if the site meets the basic project criteria- the landscape architect would then develop a base map.
What is an ALTA survey commonly referred to as?
title survey
What does an ALTA survey stand for?
American Land Title Association
What is included in an ALTA survey?
Property boundary
Public ROW
Easements
Topography
Existing Buildings
Existing Utilities
Flood Zone Classifications
Adjacent Property Users and Owners
When is it appropriate to use a USGS topographic map for a base map?
When the site is large (e.g. 500 acres) or if multiple project sites are being investigated simultaneously
What are two other names for a USGS topographic map?
USGS quadrangle map or 7.5 minute quadrangle map
What scale are USGS topographic maps?
1:24,000
What type of information is included in a USGS topographic map?
Topography
Township, range, and section
Transportation infrastructure
Rivers, floodplains, wetlands, and basic physiographic information
Building and new construction since the last printing
In what form are USGS maps most commonly available now?
Free GIS datasets
What are Historical Topographic Map Collection (HTMC)
The USGS printed maps (from 1884-2006) that have been scanned and input into GIS
What is the The Public Land Survey System (PLSS)?
a method of dividing land in a grid system (for the purpose of sale) that is specific to the United States. It is used in most- but not all- regions of the United States.
Draw and label an example of a a quadrangle; including the relationship of townships, sections, quarter sections, range lines, township lines,
-quadrangle: 24 miles x 24 miles
-townships: 6 miles x 6 miles
-meridian: divides the quadrangle in half vertically
-baseline: divides the quadrangle in half horizontally
-each township is numbered according to its position relative to the base line and principal baseline
-e.g.: T2S/R2W would mean township 2 south (of baseline) Range 2 west (of principal meridian)
How many sections are in one township? How large are they in miles and acres
36 sections; 1 mile x 1 mile; 640 acres
How are sections within a township numbered?
from 1-36 from top right across and down in a back and forth to the bottom right
How many acres are in a 1 mile x 1 mile square?
640 acres
What are the advantages and disadvantages of developing a brownfield site or an urban infill site?:
- Economic revitalization
- Providing housing near jobs and services
- Decreasing automobile use (less traffic, pollution, carbon emission reduction)
- Transit-oriented development of walkable neighborhoods
- Greater sense of community
How are sections subdivided?
Into fractions:
1/8 section= 80 acres
1/4 section= 160 acres
1/2 section= 320 acres
What is an ALTA survey commonly referred to as?
title survey
What are the advantages and disadvantages of developing a brownfield site or an urban infill site?:
- Economic revitalization
- Providing housing near jobs and services
- Decreasing automobile use (less traffic, pollution, carbon emission reduction)
- Transit-oriented development of walkable neighborhoods
- Greater sense of community
What type of survey is used to record a property or real estate transaction?
ALTA Survey / Title Survey
What is an ALTA survey commonly referred to as?
title survey
What is the purpose of an As-Built Survey and how are they conducted?
The purpose of an as-built survey is to document a final built work and ensure that a project was constructed according to the construction documents. As-built surveys are generally conducted over the course of construction to fully document all site elements as they exist in the real world, and the location and nature of these site elements may differ from that shown on a landscape architect’s site plans due to a variety of factors.
What is the purpose of a Boundary Survey and how are they conducted?
Used to define the boundaries of a parcel of land. Boundary surveys are typically conducted before subdividing, improving, or building on land, and they are often incorporated into other scopes of survey work, including the ALTA survey. Property boundaries are described using a system of bearings established
What is the purpose of a Topographic Survey and how are they conducted?
Like a boundary survey, topographic information is often conducted as part of the scope of an ALTA survey. However, there are numerous instances when a client or designer needs updated or higher resolution topographic information and in these instances- they would commission a topographic survey.
What information is included in a Topographic Survey?
- Topographic Contours: with contour intervals determined by the client/designer. Most design work uses 2’ contour intervals with additional spot elevations.
- Spot Elevations: Highly accurate measurements of specific site elements- for example the top of wall or bottom of staircase
- Vegetation and physical attributes: including streams, rock outcroppings and wooded areas
- Utilities
What type of documentation is aerial photography useful for?
is generally used for documenting static, high-contrast and large-scale phenomena, such as buildings and differences between vegetated and non-vegetated areas. They may also be used as a raster image in GIS as a background to other data.
What is a surveying backsight?
A point used to determine the elevation and/or angular orientation of the surveying point.
Be able to determine the bearing of a line
The bearing direction will be in whichever cardinal direction the line is travelling in (follow the directions 1-3) then subtract the first bearing direction given along the lines from the overall angle of the shape.
What is chain surveying? What type of applications are appropriate for chain surveying?
a type of basic surveying in which only linear measurements are made and is suitable for the survey of small, relatively flat areas.
What is color infrared aerial photography? what is it commonly used for?
is typically used to track the growth of vegetation over time. Color infrared imagery can be used to track tree diseases (e.g. oak wilt blight) and insect damage (e.g. tent caterpillar infestations) and are often supplemented with data collected afterward on-site by a specialist such as an arborist.
What does leveling refer to in surveying?
the process of determining the height of one level relative to another. It is used in surveying to establish the elevation of a point relative to a datum, or to establish a point at a given elevation relative to a datum.
What is LIDAR?
Light Detection and Ranging, is an imaging technology often used for aerial site surveys. LIDAR sensors can “see” through vegetation to detect topography and can provide more complete and accurate topographic information than aerial photography and at a lower cost and within a shorter period than a field survey.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of developing a brownfield site or an urban infill site?:
- Economic revitalization
- Providing housing near jobs and services
- Decreasing automobile use (less traffic, pollution, carbon emission reduction)
- Transit-oriented development of walkable neighborhoods
- Greater sense of community
In surveying, what is a Stadia Measurment?
a survey technique that uses the observed height of a graduated, upright rod (often 6’ in height) to infer horizontal distance
What is an ALTA survey commonly referred to as?
title survey
In surveying, what is traversing? what types of applications is it useful for?
a survey technique that maps an area of land using a series of interconnected lines. A traverse may be considered “open” if it does not form an enclosed area (e.g. a straight road) or “closed” if it does (e.g. a property boundary.) Lines in a traverse have both a bearing and a distance. Useful for establishing boundaries
What is site analysis?
Site Analysis synthesizes the data collected during the site inventory to identify opportunities and constraints for a specific project/land use.
Describe a Suitability Analysis and what the 3 steps are:
can be regarded as analogous to site inventory and analysis process for the LARE. Here are the basic steps:
1. Identify suitability criteria for each anticipated use
2. Collect and map the relevant site data
3. Identify and map the site locations and attribute values that meet the suitability criteria for the targeted land uses.
Environmental Determinism
a site’s pre-existing biophysical conditions that drive development decisions. This can also be considered analogous to site inventory and analysis
Give some examples of constraints/opportunities
- Slopes: suitable for use or require extensive excavation
-Access to transportation: lack of access to interstate highway, rail infrastructure, or airport - or located along a road that is too busy for intended use
-Local opposition to new construction
-Zoning code that approves the intended use
-Soils that approves the intended use for the parcel in question
-Brownfield site with compatible infrastructure already in place.
What is a conservation easement?
restricts development for the purpose of preserving important environmental features and protecting outdoor recreational uses (e.g. hiking trails)
What is a soil series? How are they named?
groups of soils originating from the same parent material and having similar soil horizons in the soil profile, with the primary difference between them being their soil texture. Each soil series is named from a nearby geographic feature (e.g. town name). Soil series are divided into phases based upon their difference in texture and the name of a soil phase indicates a feature that affects management.
- Example: Hagerstown silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes
What is the smallest units that soils are subdivided into (except for soil type/phase)?
Soil series
What characteristics differentiate series?
Horizons, color, thickness, texture, erosion phase, slope, organic content, and depth to hardpan
Who provides soil maps to the public outlining soil series for specific sites?
USDA/NRCS
What is a soil horizon?
a layer parallel to the soil surface whose physical, chemical and biological characteristics differ from the layers above and beneath. Horizons are defined by obvious physical features such as color and texture. (refers to individual layers)
What is a soil profile?
a vertical section of the soil through all its horizons and extending into the parent material. (describes the combination of soil horizons)
What are the three components of soil texture? Describe them and their respective sizes.
Sand: particles between .5-2.0 millimeters
Silt: particles between .05-.002 millimeters; can be picked up by air or water and deposited as sediment
Clay: particles less that .002 millimeters
What is loam?
soil that is primarily composed of sand and silt, with a small amount of clay particles. As a general rule, there are equal parts sand and silt in a loam soil, and most sources list loam as being composed of 40% sand, 40% silt and 20% clay.
What is friable soil?
soil with a texture in which large clumps are easily broken apart by hand, but which cannot be easily broken apart into (undesirably) small particles. As such, friable soils are ideal for agriculture and for growth of most plants.
How is a soil texture read?
By percentage of silt, clay, and sand. Use the breakdown of these percentages to determine the description of the soil in question.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of developing a brownfield site or an urban infill site?:
- Economic revitalization
- Providing housing near jobs and services
- Decreasing automobile use (less traffic, pollution, carbon emission reduction)
- Transit-oriented development of walkable neighborhoods
- Greater sense of community
What is soil porosity?
describes void size between particles within a soil and can be expressed as the percentage of void space in a soil
Which type of soil texture is difficult to compact?
Sandy soil- large particle sizes are larger, keep their void space, drain very quickly
What is well-graded soil? What are the benefits for construction?
a soil with a wide range and even distribution of particle sizes, in which the small soil particles fill the voids created by the larger grains. Easy to compact.
What is gap-graded soil?
A soil that contains various particle sizes, but in which gradation between sizes is broken by the absence of particle sizes.
What is uniformly graded soil?
a soil that consists of a single range of particle size.
What is soil permeability?
the rate at which water moves through soil
What is infiltration rate?
the rate of speed at which water flows into soil through small pores.
What is percolation?
the downward movement of water in soil.
What is the difference between percolation, infiltration, and porosity?
Infiltration is: the process by which water on the ground enters the soil, downward movement into the soil, occurs on the surface of the soil, replenishes soil water deficiency
Percolation is: the slow movement of water through the pores in soil, the downward movement of water into the soil and rock, occurs slowly, occurs underground, replenishes underground aquifer
Porosity: refers to the character of the soil, not the movement of water. High porosity soil would have a high permeability.
How can you amend soil to have better permeability?
they can be amended with sand and/or gravel to increase their permeability.
How can you reduce soil permeability
adding clay to sand soils can reduce permeability, as can the addition of peat moss or other highly absorbent organic materials.
What are hydric soils?
Soils with low permeability in areas subject to regular moisture are called hydric soils. They are characterized by being heavily saturated with water for prolonged saturation renders the soils anaerobic and generally results in the soils being bluish in color.
What could dark brown/black soil indicate?
High organic matter content, charcoal
What could red soil indicate?
Iron accumulation or oxidation in oxygen-rich, well aerated soils.
What does gray or blue soil indicate?
Anaerobic, saturated environments, reduced iron.
What does green soil indicate?
Iron reduction, presense of certain minerals
What does yellow soil indicate?
iron accumulation in less oxygen-rich soils, may be found in salt marshes, sulfide ore deposits, acid mine tailings, other acidic conditions