Master Planning Flashcards
site analysis: first step in site analysis is gathering physical data What are they?
(surveying): boundary lines, north and scale, benchmarks, easements, roads and ROW, bldgs positions, utilities, bodies of water, natural areas to preserve, topography, etc.
Site design determinants:
o areas of steep to moderate slope o macro and micro climate conditions o solar energy considerations o potential flood zones o possible road access o natural areas to preserve o wildlife habitat o soil conditions o geological considerations o exceptional views o adjacent land uses o noise sources
Important environmental considerations:
o air movement
o sun and shadow patterns
o reflections
Urban contextual analysis
o Building typologies and hierarchy o Regional character o City form o Building scale o Building transition o Views
Environmental site analysis
o Slope o Soil patterns o Vegetation o Wildlife o Geology o Surface and subsurface water o Climate
The purpose of site analysis are to?
Gather data for preliminary planning, evaluate the site for compatibility with the proposed project or use, recognize concerns requiring additional study, and form an understanding of the administrative requirements of the project such as required permits and approvals.
Site analyses are conducted in two steps:
a proposal phase to facilitate winning the work and a post contract phase.
Site characterization is
A more detail investigation that is usually undertaken after some degree of preliminary site planning. Generally includes a geotechnical analysis of subsurface conditions such as depth to bedrock, depth to groundwater, seasonal high water table, and specific soil test.
First consideration of the site analysis
Is to locate the site. It refers to the project relationship with the community, concerning about visibility, access and traffic.
Preliminary site assessments
Are based on existing sources of information or first-hand observation.
Topography
May dictate the purposes for which the site may be used. The nature of the material making up the slope is also important.
Slope analysis
Is done to identify the areas of steep slope and the possible location for buildings sites and access; is usually a graphic representation of slope shown in classes or ranges.
Site analysis is the foundation of the plan
It will provide the framework from with the planning and design is developed.
Aerial photogrammetry:
Provides an accurate mapping of topographic and physiographic features using low-level and aerial photography. The topography is interpolated from limited topographic data collected on the ground. May be less expensive than traditional field topographic methods. Collected during winter months.
Historical aerial photography:
Inexpensive and valuable source of information. Enlarged photos reveal site features not clearly visible at ground level such as drainage patterns, sinkholes and remains of historic structures. Helpful in presenting site analysis data to those who may not be comfortable reading plans.
Soil descriptions include:
Info on slope, depth to bedrock, soil texture, erodibility, rock and drainage characteristics.
Land development regulations
Typically include requirements for local street design, open space, lighting, subdivision standards, minimum landscaping, and similar development parameters.
Local officials may have the authority to ___ or ___ iof the land development ordinance on a case by case basis.
wave or modify provisions
Zoning regulations are
enforceable and cannot be waved without justification and a formal hearing process. May contain design criteria such as parking configuration, lot sizes, setbacks, road width, road profile restrictions, and sign requirements.
Zoning dictates the following 4
permitted uses, density, minimum lot sizes and open space.
Historical value:
sources of information include local and state historical agencies and societies, local government records, maps and libraries. Some local historic values are not documented and are unwritten and informal.
Offsite considerations:
traffic issues, local flood, storm water concerns, infrastructure issues.
The phase I ESA
Is designed to be an overview of a site involves no collection or testing of samples and is limited to information already available through public sources, interviews or firsthand observation.
o Sources used to determine the history of the site and surrounding areas: aerial photographs, local historic maps, and historic USGS topo maps, fire insurance maps, tax files, local records, interviews, fifty-year chain of tittle.
Site Analysis and assessment: Determining if you have selected the best site for your project.
o The most environmentally sound development is one that disturbs as little as possible. Building projects also require connections to mass transit, vehicular infrastructure, and utility and telecommunications networks.
o Building characteristics, orientation and placement should be considered in relation to the site so that proper drainage system, circulation patterns, landscape design, and other site-development features can be determined.
Data typically collected and analyzed for the site:
o Climate zone characteristics, geographical latitude and solar access, wind patterns, topography, soil characteristics, groundwater and surface runoff, vegetation, adjacent land uses, circulation, utility infrastructure.
o Sites located within or adjacent to existing development allow for the most efficient and cost effective extension of utilities.
Building orientation:
o Site clearing and planting to take advantage of solar access.
o Orient the building to take advantage of solar energy.
o Provide north-wall design that minimizes heat loss.
o Provide entrance orientation that maximizes safety, easy of access and protection from the elements.
o Minimize solar shadows. (adjacent building shadow)
Strategies to modify the site’s microclimate:
o Existing water sources and landforms can be used to create winter heat sinks in cold climates, and temperature differentials for cooling air movement in hot climates. Water sources can be used for cooling effect.
o Vegetation can be used to provide shade in summer and wind protection in the winter.
o Access roads, planting, grading and ancillary structures should be designed to channel wind toward main buildings for cooling or away from them to reduce heat loss.
o Introduce structure and planting to provide shelter from harsh elements and highlight desirable features.
Selected design and construction techniques to encourage energy conservation:
o Planted wind screens require multi-row pattern.
o Grade to divert water, winds and cold moist air.
o Structures take up less space and are useful in arid zones.
o Porous pavements and earth cover allows infiltration.
o Wet soil is highly conductive of and is best drained.
o Walls may be used to create micro-climates and to channel air movements.
o Special wall design, glass and overhangs can help adapt to climate.
Hot arid regions strategies:
o Use moisture covering plants.
o Prevent heat build-up on structures (thick walls)
o Deflect hot winds with walls, screens and earthwork.
o Trap cool air for convection.
o Use walls to create microclimate courts.
o Use pergolas and trellis
o Use large overhang for winter sun.
o Avoid large exposed glass.
o Avoid large absorbing materials
o Position structures to benefit from diurnal air currents.
Hot humid regions strategies:
o Maximize breeze with high canopy and loose open planting
o Avoid tall solid walls that block winds
o Seek high ground or rising slope with prevailing winds
o Avoid topographical depressions
o Use large overhangs (east and west)
o Covered pergolas
o Avoid excessive earth mounting (trap moist)
o Use high sealing and vent all roof system
Temperate and cold region strategies:
o Promote solar gain in winter season
o Seek southern slope (se or sw 5-15%)
o Block wind chill with mixed deciduous and coniferous plants
o Maintain openings for cooling summer breezes
o Provide afternoon shade with deciduous trees
o Use garage, earth and planting to divert sever NE or NW winter winds
o Provide architectural entry lock to block air infiltration in winter
o Grade and plant for cold air drainage around structure
o Earth sheltered architecture is useful in these regions
o Drain all backfill soils and insulate perimeter foundation walls
o Avoid northern entrances both for the site and architecture
o Cold climate siting benefits from steeper slops, up to 20%, and orientation to the southwest for increased solar receipt potential.
Site selection guidelines:
reduce consumption, eliminate waste, nurture healthy ecosystems and connect with nature.
Brownfields:
contaminated sites. Reinvesting in the site increase local tax bases, facilitate job growth reduce public health risk, remediate sites, etc.
Urban infill:
vacant sites. Revitalize neighborhoods, remove safety hazards, preserving greenfields, reduce urban sprawl and vehicle mile travel, energy conservation and air quality benefits.
Grayfields:
abandoned retail or commercial sites: large commercial space, large spaces within the community, close to public transit, increase economy and build local tax base.
Greenfields:
undeveloped areas: provide ecosystem, clean water, habitat and cultural identity. Avoid development, preserve this land.
Prime farmland:
Land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops and is also available for these uses. It has the soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed to produce economically sustained high yields of crops when treated and managed according to acceptable farming methods, including water management. In general, prime farmlands have an adequate and dependable water supply from precipitation or irrigation, a favorable temperature and growing season, acceptable acidity or alkalinity, acceptable salt and sodium content, and few or no rocks. They are permeable to water and air. Prime farmlands are not excessively erodible or saturated with water for a long period of time, and they either do not flood frequently or are protected from flooding.[SSM, USDA Handbook No. 18, October 1993]
Floodplains:
provide valuable ecosystem services, developing these areas increase flooding and loss of ecosystem.
When the context of a site is not well understood
design decisions can lead to damaging environmental, social, and economic outcomes.
Site inventories communicate and map the
physical, biological and cultural components of a site and surrounding areas.
Site inventory: Regional Context
Research community plans and zoning codes, determinate the importance of the site, identify potential damages, reduce the risk and impact of natural disasters, etc.
Site inventory & analysis: Climate and energy:
o Determinate annual precipitation, identify conditions that provide opportunity, consider the effect of existing vegetation, topography and structure, study sun path, research prevailing winds, identify heat surface or cool areas such as water bodies.
o Understanding the microclimate allows the creation of site conditions that increase user comfort and reduce building energy use.
