Section 3/4 Flashcards
3 aspects of defensible space design
Territory - creating distinction between public & private space through site design.
Access - controlling physical access through design or signage or symbolic barriers
Surveillance - seeing and being seen. Visual site lines, lighting, and increased activity.
Elements of Urbanism
Neighborhood
District
Corridor
Roadway Level of Service (LOS) ‘A’
a road with high turnover but wide street widths and comfortable for any level of driver/vehicle to handle
Roadway Level of Service (LOS) ‘D’
A road with LOS D is a road that has less travel because it is uncomfortable for higher use. It has narrow widths and is better suited in an Urban location.
ADA walking path requirements (no rails)
max slope = 1:20 or 5%
resting spots needed every 200’ that are 60” long
Types of Cut & Fill calculation methods
Average end area method
grid method
contour method
stair & landing design standards
When a stairway is required, they should be designed so that there are never less than three steps, with landings occurring after no more than five feet of vertical change, and avoiding narrow walkways, especially outdoors and at a public building.
standards for an intersection of 2 local roads
site triangle of at least 50’
a slope of 3% or less at the intersection
an offset of at least 100’ when the roads do not line up
maintaining an intersection at a right angle
Ideal Function Diagram
utilized before a site plan is created in order to work through which spaces will function well next to each other. This type of diagram only deals with connections, and does not include scale or site features.
definition of Phytoexraction
Phytoexraction is a form of phytoremediation that uses the plants natural ability to absorb contaminants and store them as part of their natural metabolism. Certain plants are used for certain chemicals. Over time, the plants are harvested and burned or recycled to further remove the chemicals from the land.
definition of phytodegradation
Phytodegradation uses plants that naturally break down the chemicals they absorb and therefore do
not need to be harvested.
definition of bioremediation
Bioremediation uses the micro flora and fauna that are present on the site already and breaking down the contaminants. The organisms are identified and the site conditions where they were found are replicated throughout the site.
definition of phytovolatization
Phytovolatization refers to the process of a plant absorbing a chemical that is present in the water and through the plant’s natural processes; the chemical is broken down and released into the atmosphere through transpiration.
definition of rain garden
type of bioretention basin used to collect water from a storm, remove some of the pollutants from the water, and then drain fairly quickly. They allow more water to enter into the ground and do so using native plants and drain quickly because of this. If the water were to stay for long periods of time, then only specialized plants could be used that can handle their roots being submerged in water. The ponding depth is usually maxed out at 6” in order to allow the water to drain quickly enough, and to limit the amount of insects that breed in the water. Finally it is better to have multiple small gardens over one big one.
Min Distance between consecutive intersections
125’ is the min. distance between intersection for safety reasons.
Military Crest of a hill
A point just down the hill of the actual crest of the hill so you don’t expose yourself against the horizon. i.e. you have more hill behind you.
Framework Plan
A planning tool or document that can coordinate future growth, development and investment within a given community. Takes a variety of considerations into account, including land use, open space, transportation / circulation, architecture, and sustainability.
Goal of ‘program refinement’
provide clear direction and vision as the project evolves
Minimum Cross-Slope for a Bike Path
2% is considered the minimum cross-slope to provide proper drainage
core principles of erosion control
Controlling runoff, minimizing disturbance, collecting sediment, and monitoring construction.
Primary purpose of historic preservation
To ensure that development does not have an adverse effect on historic properties or resources.
Although these policies protect historic structures, they do not ‘guarantee’ that they will exist in perpetuity, nor do they necessarily ensure that future generations will have access to these resources.
Benefits of Low Impact Development (LID)
sediment control, including a reduction in stormwater volume and velocity (achieved primarily through infiltration)
an increase in pervious surface
LID techniques do not result in increased sediment deposition or aggradation (build up or accumulation) in local waterways (they reduce it), nor would they be able to remove previous sediment loads.
benefits of urban infill development
- Decreased traffic congestion 2. Efficient use of existing infrastructure and services 3. Revitalization of the urban core 4. Location proximate to employment and other services
benefits of water bodies on site in temperate climate
- Bodies of water can act as heat sinks in the winter 2. They can offer a scenic quality to a project 3. During warmer months, the water could create a temperate differential that would cool the site.
concept plan level of detail
a concept plan will show more detail on a small site over a large one. For example, on a small residence you may show general locations of say a children’s pool, while on a 400 acre project that kind of detail would be irrelevant.
drainage of sports fields
2% is considered the minimum cross-slope to shed water and have proper drainage
definition of chicane
Used in slowing down traffic, it is an artificial narrowing of the roadway or can also be a turn that makes you slow down to maneuver it (like those little round-abouts in the middle of the street without any connecting streets)
Treatment Train
The path stormwater will take though the various components of collection systems will start with a green roof, then move through or over permeable pavement to a bioretention basin with underdrain before being stored in a harvest and re-use cistern.
proper orientation of a baseball field
Should be oriented in an northeastern direction to keep the sun out of the batters eyes during a game.
orientation of sports fields
Most sports fields should be laid out along a north-south axis. The exception being baseball.
Maximum distance to bldg. entrance from a parking space
It is generally agreed that site users are willing to walk a maximum of 700 feet (approximately 1/8th of a mile) to a building entrance or other localized site feature from their parking space.
National Center for a Barrier Free Environment
According to the National Center for a Barrier Free Environment, landscape architects should “Provide varying degrees of access and challenges to site users” when designing outdoor recreational facilities for the general public. The range of accessibility offers a self-selecting scale of challenge and provides for a maximum range of access.
solar panel location / orientation
Best exposure is the Southern side. However, if the Southern side is not possible (due to client restrictions or dense tree canopy, etc.) then a Western exposure would be the next best solution (most intense sun is in the afternoon).
Fundamental Principles of Sustainable Site Planning (LaGro)
- Design with Nature 2. Design with Culture 3. Design places for people.
benefits of cluster development
- it allows for open space between incompatible uses 2. displays sensitivity to the character of the site 3. preserves important existing natural functions on the site.
The Design of Pedestrian Circulation Systems should include
Separation refers to providing physical delineation between pedestrian and vehicular circulation systems.
Connectivity refers to the creation of a circulation system with a minimum of walkway interruptions that follows user’s desire lines.
Accessibility allows users of all abilities to make use of the circulation system.
Amenities references the need to provide lighting, furniture and other features to make a pedestrian system attractive to users.
3 Fundamental Principles of Composition (as it relates to the design of Landscapes)
- Balance 2. Unity 3. Emphasis
Playground Fall Surfaces
The following would be considered safe according to the National Program for Playground Safety: 1. Hardwood wooded fiber 2. Sand 3. Shredded Rubber 4. Pea Gravel
ADA ramp requirements
a path with a slope greater than 5% is considered a ramp
requires handrails on both sides maximum cross slope is 2%
maximum slope of 8.33% or 1:12
maximum ramp height is 30 inches before a landing is required
landings must be 5’ long and the width of the ramp unless there is a change in direction (5x5)
Comprehensive Plans
Community-level plans that show how a community intends to grow and develop, physically and economically, typically over a 20- to 30-year period. Comprehensive plans address several broad themes that are relevant to sustainability, including housing, transportation, utilities, natural and cultural resources, and economic development. Each theme can include specific goals for protecting cultural and natural resources and promoting sustainable and affordable development.
vehicle drop off design
sited outside of main traffic flow
oriented toward the passenger side
sites with predictable routines that experience elevated levels of criminal activity
schools
Transit Oriented Development (TOD) benefits
increase pedestrian traffic
improved economic efficiency
reduced traffic congestion
characteristics of program development
considers project budget
non linear process
anticipate future needs
predict desired outcomes
definition of exurban area
an area outside the typically denser inner suburban area, at the edge of a metropolitan area, which has some economic and commuting connection to the metro area, low housing density, and growth
ineffective lighting types
underlighting and glare
which soil type is most subject to erosion
silt
TOD principle states that developments should be within ____ miles of a transit hub
no more than 1/4 mile away
downtown locations should be 1/8 mile away