LARE SECTION 2 EXAM

Question 1

Aerial Photogrammetry

Answer 1

An accurate mapping of topographic and physiographic features using low-level photography. May be hampered by vegetation that obscures the ground and can be expensive. Some municipalities have photogrammetric information available for free.

Question 2

Aerial Photography (Historical)

Answer 2

Existing aerial photography showing past conditions for a relatively low price. These can show historic structures or features (drainage patterns, sinkholes, etc.) that may be hard to see at ground level or obscured over time by vegetation, etc.

Question 3

Azimuth

Answer 3

All refer to measurements that relate to the sun or sky. “Azimuth” can be defined as the direction of a celestial object from the observer, expressed as the angular distance from the north or south point of the horizon to the point at which a vertical circle passing through the object intersects with the horizon.

Question 4

Angle of Incidence

Answer 4

The angle at which a ray of light (usually the sun) hits a surface.

Question 5

Albedo

Answer 5

The measurement of an object’s reflectivity. Specifically, it measures the fraction of solar energy reflected from a surface back into space.

Question 6

Aggradation

Answer 6

Geology term for the increase in land elevation (typically in a river) due to the deposition of sediment. Erosion control, reducing impervious surfaces, and effective watershed management are all techniques to reduce it (i.e. stop the runoff of silt into the flow of water to begin with)

Question 7

As-Built Survey

Answer 7

The purpose of an as-built survey is to document a final built work and ensure that a project was constructed according to site plans. 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.

Question 8

Brownfields

Answer 8

Lands or buildings that are abandoned or underutilised, and redevelopment or reuse is complicated due to the perception or presence of environmental contamination.

Question 9

Bogs

Answer 9

A type of wetland found in northern climates and are characterised by acidic soils, rich deposits of organic material such as peat and a diversity of vegetation types.

Question 10

Building Codes

Answer 10

Building codes are concerned with the structural integrity of buildings subjected to various stresses or “loads” from occupants, seismic activity, wind and snow, and the buildings’ own weight. Building codes also address other health and safety issues, including fire safety, plumbing, electrical power, sanitation, and energy efficiency.

Question 11

Carrying Capacity (For a Site)

Answer 11

A measure of the type and intensity of development that can be supported without imposing detrimental effects on society, the economy, or the environment

Question 12

Compacted Soils

Answer 12

Compacted soils generally have poor aeration and experience reduced infiltration. This occurs because the void space between soil particles has been greatly reduced or eliminated, leaving little room for oxygen and water molecules.

Question 13

Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)

Answer 13

A landowner is liable for the environmental conditions on the site whether the individual or company had any knowledge or involvement in causing the condition. As an avenue of relief for buyers, the “innocent landowner” defense is available to parties that can demonstrate that prior to acquiring a property they had no knowledge of or reason to know of any adverse environmental conditions (through due diligence of site evaluation by an environmental professional to complete an investigation).

Question 14

Chlorotic Plant

Answer 14

A plant that is suffering from chlorosis which is a condition typically caused by iron deficiency and is typically manifested by yellowed leaves with green veins. Overwatering and lack of aeration are typically the cause of chlorosis.

Question 15

Community Resource Inventory

Answer 15

Community resource inventories map all ecological and cultural resources such as wetlands, archaeological sites, scenic views, significant wildlife habitats, forests, floodplains, farmland, aquifers and historic structures.

Question 16

Contextual Analysis

Answer 16

Can entail multiple lines of inquiry, including identifying neighbourhood and community spaces and determining what activities and symbolic values are associated with those spaces. Analyses may also examine how—and why—people use, or avoid, outdoor spaces. Post occupancy evaluations of outdoor spaces are particularly useful in designing urban sites.

Question 17

Drainage Wind

Answer 17

A wind that blows from a higher elevation to a lower elevation

Question 18

Grid Diagrams (Sections of)

Answer 18

In a standard grid, the top row of boxes is labeled from right-to-left with the next row going from left-to-right. The following rows repeat this right-to-left then left-to-right pattern. So a grid of 5 columns and 4 rows would have a top row numbered as 5 4 3 2 1 and the row under it would then be numbered as 6 7 8 9 10, followed by 15 14 13 12 11 and then 16 17 18 19 20.

Question 19

Montane Forests

Answer 19

Ecosystems that are found in the mountains.

Question 20

Chapparal

Answer 20

Vegetation consisting of tangled shrubs and thorny bushes.

Question 21

Ecotones

Answer 21

The boundaries of ecological communities. Animals may find shelter in one type of ecotone while they seek food in a different ecotone.

Question 22

Easements

Answer 22

Easements are legal restrictions that reduce a parcel’s development potential. For example, a site easement may enable access to an adjoining property that is accessible only by crossing the subject property. This may also take the form of access for emergency vehicles or utility maintenance. They may also be for conservation of open space or even scenic opportunities. All of these restrictions must be mapped as a part of the site assessment process.

Question 23

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Answer 23

Best known for flood maps but also provides information useful for site analysis including earthquake, tornado, wind, and hail maps.

Question 24

Flood Hazards (Reduction of)

Answer 24

Providing opportunities for stormwater infiltration and restricting development to areas outside of floodplains can reduce flood hazards. Flood hazards can also be reduced by maximising pervious surfaces and decreasing the volume of runoff.

Question 25

Fasciation

Answer 25

(aka ‘cresting’) is a condition of abnormal growth in vascular plants in which the growing tip becomes elongated producing flattened, or contorted tissue. E.g. a flower that normally has a single point (circular) centre with petals around it would instead have a long oval or even ribbon like ‘centre’ with a lot more petals around the now elongated centre

Question 26

Fertilizer (NPK values)

Answer 26

the ratio of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), and Potassium (K) present in fertiliser can be used to establish soil fertility.

Question 27

Form-Based Code

Answer 27

A form-based code is a land development regulation that fosters predictable built results and a high-quality public realm by using physical form (rather than separation of uses) as the organising principle for the code. A form-based code is a regulation, not a mere guideline, adopted into city, town, or county law. A form-based code offers a powerful alternative to conventional zoning regulation. Form-based codes address the relationship between building facades and the public realm, the form and mass of buildings in relation to one another, and the scale and types of streets and blocks. The regulations and standards in form-based codes are presented in both words and clearly drawn diagrams and other visuals. They are keyed to a regulating plan that designates the appropriate form and scale (and therefore, character) of development, rather than only distinctions in land-use types.

Question 28

Figure-Ground Map

Answer 28

Involves 2 elements on a site, the building footprints (figure) and the spaces (ground) between the buildings

Question 29

Grey Fields

Answer 29

Previously developed sites that have minor and relatively easily mitigated environmental challenges such as strip/shopping malls that are one-story with large parking lots. By converting these already cleared site with ready infrastructure to Mixed-Use you open up the site to more uses (see Urban Redevelopment).

Question 30

Green Fields

Answer 30

Urban/rural sites that exist in the ‘suburbs’ and could be potential sites for Mixed-Use development.

Question 31

Hydrophobic Soils

Answer 31

Soil that is hydrophobic causes water to collect on the soil surface rather than infiltrate into the ground. Wild fires generally cause soils to be hydrophobic temporarily, which increases water repellency, surface runoff and erosion in post-burn sites.

Question 32

Hydric Soils

Answer 32

Hydric soils are characterised by being heavily saturated with water for prolonged periods of time. Prolonged saturation renders the soils anaerobic and generally results in the soils being bluish in colour. Because of this, hydric soils are not aerobic and are typically not highly permeable, as they would not be saturated for long periods of time if they were. Additionally, hydric soils are not defined as having a high salt content.

Question 33

Hydrology (Time of Concentration)

Answer 33

A term used to refer to the amount of time needed for water to flow from the most remote point in a watershed to the watershed outlet.

Question 34

Historic Preservation Act

Answer 34

If a site is privately owned, unless there is specific legislature stating otherwise, any historic elements found during site excavation can be ignored. However, if the site is even partially owned by the government, then the Historic Preservation Act states that a phase 1 archaeological analysis with test pits must be performed. If anything is found then a Phase 2 dig is required. A phase 3 dig is a full-blown excavation.

Question 35

Loam Soil

Answer 35

A mixture of soils (clay, silt, and sand) which gives the benefits of each with few of the disadvantages and is considered the ideal plant growing medium. 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.

Question 36

Marsh

Answer 36

Wetlands characterised by herbaceous vegetation no taller than 6’.

Question 37

Non-Point Source Pollution

Answer 37

Occurs when contaminants are introduced to the environment over a large, widespread area and do not originate from a single centralised source (e.g. Deicing salts used on highways). Techniques to limit the pollution of coastal waters have been developed by the EPA for five source categories of non point pollution: agricultural runoff, urban runoff, forestry runoff, marinas, and hydro-modification.

Question 38

Program Requirements

Answer 38

It is necessary to have an understanding of the proposed project, as a poorly defined program could result in client disappointment and unpaid invoices. When asked to evaluate a site for its possible uses, it is done with an end use in mind. The analysis must consider proposed buildings, access to and from the site, lot layout, parking requirements, vehicular and pedestrian circulation, ADA requirements, and storm water management. Physical development constraints such as slopes, wetlands, and floodplains are to be accounted for. Permitting needs of the local are also of importance during this process.

Question 39

Program Development

Answer 39

Should act as a summary of the site inventory and analysis, take into account the client’s needs, function as a checklist against which the design proposal can be assessed and occur before any significant amount of design work has been undertaken. Basically it is a research and information gathering phase of the design process in which data is collected from the client, site users and other interested parties to determine project outcomes and uses.

Question 40

Project Development

Answer 40

A period of research and information gathering that the LA can utilise to gather the input of various stakeholders to determine project outcomes and uses. Through this they have the opportunity to identify and outline the personal, political, financial and social aspects of a project.

Question 41

Programming (Common Methods of Information Gathering to support program development)

Answer 41

Interviews, Surveys, Document analysis, Behavioural observation, visiting a state-of-the-art project, Literature search, Other (Interactive group techniques such as charrettes, workshops, and discussions)

Question 42

Xerophytes

Answer 42

Plants that require little moisture to survive and are often referred to as “drought tolerant”.

Question 43

Mesophytes

Answer 43

Plants that are adapted to neither dry nor wet environments.

Question 44

Hydrophytes

Answer 44

Plants that are adapted to living in aquatic or wetland conditions with a surplus of available water.

Question 45

Pleaching

Answer 45

The art of growing trees in a line, usually straight, with the branches of the tree tied together and clipped to form a flat plane above the bare trunk (like an arched path you can walk through).

Question 46

Pollarding

Answer 46

A pruning technique used to shape a tree or shrub into a tight form so as not to outgrow its space.

Question 47

Quantitative Data

Answer 47

Expressing a certain quantity, amount or range.

Question 48

Qualitative Data

Answer 48

Data that approximates or characterised but does not measure the attributes, characteristics, properties, etc. of a thing.

Question 49

Rate of Runoff

Answer 49

Q = ciA is an equation used to determine the rate of runoff. It is sometimes referred to as the “rational method equation”. In it, Q = the peak discharge in cubic feet per second, c = the rational method runoff coefficient, i = rainfall intensity measured in in./hr and A = drainage area measured in acres.

Question 50

Salt Marsh

Answer 50

The most important, productive, and diverse of most ecosystems. Situated in the interface between land and sea, and salt and freshwater ecosystems, they offer habitat and food to a wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic life.

Question 51

Standard Guide to Site Characterisation for Engineering, Design, and Construction Purposes (ASTM D-420)

Answer 51

A guide that provides the site designer with a consensus standard with which to plan and evaluate site characterisations.

Question 52

Soil pH

Answer 52

Neutral pH is 7 while alkaline (or basic) is anything over 7 and acidic is anything below 7. Adding calcium carbonate or Lime would make it more alkaline or increase the pH. Adding sulphur and potentially peat moss (organic matter) would make it more acidic or reduce the pH. A note about Organic Matter - technically it ‘buffers’ the soil making it harder to change the pH.

Question 53

Soil (Particles)

Answer 53

Sand, silt and clay are the three soil texture classes, each is listed on a side of a standard soil texture triangle. Sand has the largest particle size at 0.05-2mm and these grains are visible to the naked eye. Silt has the next largest particle size at 0.002-0.05mm and is generally also visible to the naked eye. Clay is the smallest of all particles sizes and is classified as any particle falling below 0.002mm. Clay particles are not visible to the naked eye.

Question 54

Soil (Uniformly Graded)

Answer 54

Consists of a single range of particle size.

Question 55

Soil (Friable)

Answer 55

Soil that is easily broken apart by hand.

Question 56

Soil (Hardpan)

Answer 56

Soil that is densely compacted together or has too much material that makes it bind together and is almost impervious to water infiltration.

Question 57

Liquefaction

Answer 57

A condition in which solid ground can turn mushy when soils are vibrated, is associated with earthquakes. Under certain conditions, soils lose all bearing capacity; buildings or bridges can slip or sink and buried structures can float to the surface (tanks, pools, etc.).

Question 58

Standard (Section of Land)

Answer 58

A parcel that contains 640 acres (260ha)

Question 59

Stadia Measurement

Answer 59

A survey technique that uses the observed height of a 6’ tall object to infer horizontal distance.

Question 60

Sight Distance Study

Answer 60

Sight distance studies are used to determine the location of vehicular access points and take into account visibility, location of the proposed access point, its relationship to other existing access points and the speed and volume of the traffic flowing along the proposed point of access.

Question 61

Superfund Site

Answer 61

Highly contaminated lands designated for cleanup by the US Government.

Question 62

United States Geological Survey (USGS)

Answer 62

A source of topographical information provided by the government. Also includes info about regional and local site hazards such as earthquakes, landslide risks, groundwater conditions, flood risk, site geology (sinkholes, slides, faults, etc.), and even paleontological information.

Question 63

USGS Quadrangle Map

Answer 63

Shows a broad range of info including township, range and section information; new construction since the last printing; wetlands; topography; etc. They do not show items like land use or demographic info. They are related to what’s there on the portion of land the map is showing not how it’s used.

Question 64

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones

Answer 64

Created in 1990 and updated in 1998, this map shows temperature information by using coldest weather data from 1970 to 1986, and shows where various plants will and will not thrive. It goes from zone 1 through 11 (which is a frost-free zone). This map can help designers be conscious of climate and climate change for various parts of North America.

Question 65

USDA Soil Survey

Answer 65

Soils are classified as “series” and these types are further refined into detailed soil map units. The soil descriptions include information on slope, depth to bedrock, soil texture, erodibility, rock, and drainage characteristics. While generally accurate, there can be discrepancies which can be relived with the help of local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). In addition to describing the character of the soil, the soil survey includes information about different management techniques, engineering characteristics, and uses for the land. This is usually used to provide initial information useful to start the site planning process. Where necessary, soil borings and test pits should eventually be done to figure out the site’s exact needs and limit ‘after design’ findings which could render portions of a design unusable or costly.

Question 66

Urban Infill

Answer 66

Development that occurs on vacant or remnant lands passed over by previous development.

Question 67

Visual Preference Surveys (VPS)

Answer 67

Ways to solicit stakeholder opinions (often the public itself) concerning future development, redevelopment, or restoration alternatives. Examples of topics include Building scale and massing (height, width, shape), Building articulation (façade, signs, roof), Building placement (relationship to street and site entrances), Open space (lighting and landscaping), Vehicle parking (screening and relationship to street). Usually these survey’s are conducted by taking 50-100 participants and show them slides of scenes for 30 seconds or less. Then have them evaluate the scene either as a 1-5 scale, or 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd… etc.

Question 68

Vegetation Found on an Undisturbed Site (Important Factors)

Answer 68

Available moisture and Temperature extremes will have the greatest impact on the type of vegetation that is found on an undisturbed site.

Question 69

View Sheds

Answer 69

Areas visible from specific locations on the site which can be analysed using topographic data, but really requires on-site assessments to see how the landscape and other factors affect these views.

Question 70

Watershed

Answer 70

A land area that channels rainfall and snowmelt to creeks, streams, and rivers, and eventually to outflow points such as reservoirs, bays, and the ocean.

Question 71

Watershed Boundaries

Answer 71

Occur along ridges, and water flows from these high points into valleys and other low points (like rivers).

Question 72

Wind Rose Diagram

Answer 72

Because wind is highly variable in both speed and direction, it can be depicted graphically with a wind rose diagram that shows the frequency distribution of the wind direction, velocity, and duration at a specific location.

Question 73

Choropleth Map (Slope)

Answer 73

In this case a choropleth map is being used to represent the slope ranges on a site. So if a site had 0% to more than 30% slopes in areas, this map might be broken up into relatively flat areas (0%-5%), then varying slope areas (5%-30%), and finally unbuildable areas (anything above 30%). Showing graphically where your slope ranges occur give context as to how much fill a site might need to make more of it buildable, or if more than 50% of the site is too steep, it might not be economically feasible to develop the site.

Question 74

Topography (Aspect)

Answer 74

The compass direction that a slope faces. This influences the daily and seasonal solar radiation received by the site. In the northern hemisphere, a north facing slope will receive far less solar radiation than a south facing slope. In areas that receive snow, the south facing slope would be the best position for buildings to provide active or passive solar heating, while the north slopes would be better for a ski trail to limit snow melting. Typically, aspect is classified using eight categories based on a compass: north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west, and northwest.

Question 75

Geological Unit

Answer 75

Volume of rock of a specific type and age range, and this is usually what a geologic map would be based on.

Question 76

Geology (Sub surface conditions)

Answer 76

Usually requires the services of a geotechnical engineer who will drill bore holes on a site to determine the sites soil geology. The spacing and number is based on the anticipated use for that portion of a site as well as the differing conditions the site contains. A site with mostly sand might have relatively few bore holes needed, while a site with 5 different types of soil conditions might require more. Also, the use (buildings, or open playground) would determine the need for more or less tests.

Question 77

Soils (Subsurface Conditions)

Answer 77

They affect not only the complexity of excavation and construction but also the project design. To ensure the integrity of a new building, foundations in colder climates are designed to a depth below the lowest frost level (could be 3 or more feet below the ground surface).

For multistorey buildings, foundations are designed to considerably greater depths for structural stability.

Question 78

Cultural Features

Answer 78

Whether historical, aesthetic, legal, or economic, cultural features create opportunities and constraints for the design of sustainable and liveable places. An assessment of cultural factors not only describes the site, but also analyses its suitability for the site’s intended uses.

Question 79

ASTM Phase One Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)

Answer 79

An ESA requires the collaboration of legal, environmental, and engineering professionals with expertise in regulatory compliance and project permitting.

It summarises the site’s ownership and land use history, in addition to its current soil and groundwater conditions, and all buildings and other structures on the site are evaluated and mapped.

It may also create the need for permanent deed restrictions to ensure that the contaminated areas remain sealed from infiltrating storm water.

Question 80

Parcel Appraisals

Answer 80

The process of real estate appraisal attempts to predict the probable selling price of a property by determining the influence of site and contextual factors on buyers’ and sellers’ decisions. This is done in 3 different ways: the Cost Approach, the Income Approach, and the Sales Comparison Approach. Each of these estimates property value based on the “highest and best use” of the site.

Question 81

Regulations that affect Property Values (PDR)

Purchase of Development Rights

Answer 81

When coupled with conservation easements can prevent development for either an unlimited or defined period of time. A PDR is generally created to restrict the use of land to some other use (like open space). While the land is private and not owned by the local government, the ‘conservation easement’ is attached to the deed and no matter who buy’s it, they must follow the restrictions of that land use requirement. This will allow that land to forever (while the PDR is in effect) be kept in that same use type (e.g. a piece of land has a wetland and the PDR requires its protection at all costs).

Question 82

Regulations that affect Property Values (TRD)

Transfer of Development Rights

Answer 82

Another legal strategy for redirecting potential development from conservation areas to other, more suitable locations. An example would be: a large farm (land A) of 280 acres is located in a rural portion of land away from a nearby city. A land owner in that city (land B) wants to increase their density but can’t because his lot is maxed out for his amount of acres. Land A with its 280 acres parcel has 14 TDR credits available to it but doesn’t need them because its use is singular to that farm. So they can offer up a portion or all of those credits to land B to increase the density. Land B buys from Land A those TDR credits at a fair market value, and Land A retains its rights to be kept as a farm (because it lost its development rights now; i.e. a developer can’t buy it and turn it into a multi-family site) thus preserving valuable farmland for the future.

Question 83

Zoning Codes

Answer 83

Comprehensive plans are typically implemented through zoning codes and supplementary land use regulations. A zoning code divides a community into smaller planning districts or zones. With general standards for all zones, these smaller zones have rules that vary depending on type and planned use. This typically falls into 3 types: 1. Permitted Use of Land and Buildings, 2. Intensity of the use (residential = single family or multi-family / commercial denoted by max FAR or Building Height allowed, etc.), 3. Height, bulk, and other dimension standards (site setbacks, lot coverage, min. lot size, etc.)

Question 84

Subdivision Ordinances

Answer 84

Subdivision ordinances regulate site development by establishing requirements for the shape and size of lot and street blocks, street and sidewalk dimensions, parking lot configurations, and building setbacks from property boundaries. These ordinances may also limit the number and location of street access points or “curb cuts” to a property from adjoining public streets; impose requirements for the installation of street lights, street trees, and bus stops; and require easements and other dedicated space for storm water management.

Question 85

Design Covenant

Answer 85

Guidelines or restraints on how you are able to build or alter your property.