Plan 413: Introduction To Site Planning And Landscape Architecture PDF

**PLAN 413** **Module 01: Introduction To Site Planning and Landscape Architecture** **SITE PLANNING** - Site Planning is defined by **Kevin Lynch** as "the art of arranging structures on the land and shaping the spaces between. - **Harvey M. Rubenstein** defines it as "the art and scien...

**PLAN 413** **Module 01: Introduction To Site Planning and Landscape Architecture** **SITE PLANNING** - Site Planning is defined by **Kevin Lynch** as "the art of arranging structures on the land and shaping the spaces between. - **Harvey M. Rubenstein** defines it as "the art and science of arranging the uses of portions of land." - **Site planning** in landscape architecture and architecture refers to the organizational stage of the landscape design process. **SITE PLANNER** - is the profession that designates the uses of portions of land in detail by: - Selecting and analysing sites. - Forming land use plan. - Organizing vehicular and pedestrian circulations. - Developing visual form and material concepts. - Re-adjusting the existing landforms by design grading. - Providing proper drainage. - Developing the construction details necessary to carry out the projects. **RELATED PROFESSIONALS** - LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS - ARCHITECTS - URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNERS - ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNERS - ENGINEERS In site planning, as in other forms of problem-solving, the critical thinking process of research, analysis and synthesis makes a major contribution to the formation of design decisions. - Research material may be gathered from existing projects, books photographs, or experiments. A program is then formulated and the elements required to develop the project is listed. - Analysis of the site shall consider all existing features, both natural and man-made in order to determine those inherent qualities that give a site its 'personality'. A topographical analysis is mandatory. Emphasis should be made on the site's relationship with the total environment and its special values or potentials. - ROADS - WALKWAY - TREES, GARDEN, POOL (Landscape) - WATER - PLAZA - PIER - ENVIRONMENT - Etc. **LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE** - is the profession which applies artistic and scientific principles to the research, planning, design and management of both natural and built environments. **MAIN PURPOSE OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE** - PRESERVATION - DEVELOPMENT - ENHANCEMENT **Module 02: Parameters of Site Selection and Site Analysis** **PARAMETER** - Any factor that defines a system and determines (or limits) its performance. - A reference or value that is passed to a function, procedure, subroutine, command, or program. - A variable quantity determining outcome. **SITE SELECTION** - Is a process for identifying suitable parcels of land for specific purposes. - It involves the collection and analysis of a wide array of site and contextual data. **METHODS OF ESTABLISHING THE SITE** **Site Selection Process** - this process selects from a list of potential sites one that suits best the given use and requirement of the project. **Development Suitability Process** - this process selects the best possible use and development suited for a given site. **METHODS OF SITE SELECTION** 1\. Sites are considered within a general location and a choice is made of the one best meeting the preliminary objectives. **Ideal sites** - sites with least modification, best meets the project requirements **Alternative sites** - possible sites 2\. Site location is chosen by a client before the establishment of a program or even before a use for the site has been determined. **Program Development** - is based on the following factors: - Site requirements - Sizes - Types of building and site construction - Uses of materials **SWOT Analysis** - process includes understanding the site and its surrounding in every aspect whether it is positive or negative to the project. - in architecture is important because it helps in making the design more responsive to the site and its surrounding. **Strengths -** are the things on site that are in favor of the project. **Weaknesses -** are the things on site that are not in favor of the project. These weaknesses are present on the site and can be overcome with design solutions. **Opportunities -** are the things on site that can be used to enhance the design and usability of the building that will be constructed on the site. **Threats -** are the things on site that can cause problems for the project in the future. **SITE ANALYSIS** - includes the assessment of its better features as well as its constraints and liabilities. - Identifies environmental, program, and development constraints and opportunities. **Module 03: Ecological Consideration of the Site** **NATURAL FACTORS** **Geology** - is the natural science that studies the Earth -- its composition; the processes that shaped its surface; and its history. **Geomorphology** - branch of Geology that deals with the origin, nature and distribution of landforms. - Science concerned with the form of Earth\'s surface and the processes that create it. Originated from the Greek term: - Geo = Earth - Morphos = form - -ology = science **Physiography** - refers to the description of landforms. **Landforms** - are irregularities on the earth's surface. They are derived from volcanic, glacial, or erosional processes. - VALLEYS - PLAINS - MOUNTAINS - HILLS - VOLCANO **SOIL PROPERTIES** **Composition** - refers to the material that makes up soil: mineral particles, organic matter, water, and air. - **Mineral Particles** comprise 50% to 80% of the volume of the soil and form the all important skeletal structure of the soil. - **Organic matter** varies radically in soils and usually imposes a limitation to any building structure. - **Water** content varies with particle sizes, local drainage, topography and climate. - **Air** is what occupies remaining space that is not occupied by water **Texture** - is the term used to describe the composite sizes of particles in a soil sample. - There are 12 basic terms for texture, at the center of which is Class LOAM, which is an intermediate mixture of 40% sand, 40% silt and 20% clay. **DRAINAGE** **Good Drainage** - refers to the soil's ability to transfer gravity water downward through: - **Infiltration** - the rate at which water penetrates the soil surface - **Permeability** - the rate at which water within the soil moves through a given volume of material - **Percolation** - the rate at which water in a soil pit or pipe within the soil is taken up by the soil **Poor Drainage** - means that gravity water is not readily transmitted by the soil and soil is frequently or permanently saturated and may have water standing on it **TOPOGRAPHY AND SLOPES** **Slope Analysis** - Understanding slope forms for site design requires understanding of local geologic, soil, hydrologic, and vegetative conditions. **Slope Form** - is expressed graphically in terms of a slope profile, a silhouette of a slope drawn to known proportions with distance on the horizontal axis and elevation on the vertical axis. - Straight - S -- shape - Concave - Convex **Angle Of Repose** - is the angle at which soil can be safely inclined and beyond which it will fail. **Topographic Map** - a map of a portion of the earth that describes the shape of the earth's surface by contour lines. **Contours** - are imaginary lines that join points of equal elevation on the surface of the land above or below a reference surface such as the mean sea level. **Desirable Slopes** - when slopes are selected according to building type and the activities associated with it. **Soil Erosion** - when rocks are broken down (weathered) into small fragments, and carried by wind, water, ice and gravity. Factors to consider in forecasting erosion rates: - Vegetation - Soil Type - Slope size and inclination - Frequency and intensity of rainfall **Gabions** are cages filled with rocks, concrete, or sand with soil. **Hydrology** - is the natural science that studies the Waters of the Earth. **Surface Water** - includes any fresh water that is found on top of the Earth's crust **Ground Water** - found in underground aquifers located beneath the ground. **Vegetation** - is one of the greatest assets of the site for a natural, energy-efficient design. The relevance of Vegetation in site planning is in their role in: - **Climatic control** 1. Solar Radiation 2. Wind 3. Precipitation - **Environmental Engineering** 1. Air Purification 2. Noise 3. Glare and Reflection 4. Erosion Control - **Architectural and Aesthetic Uses** 1. Space Definition 2. View Control 3. Mood **Wildlife** - relates closely to habitats provided by plant communities. The (3) groups of habitat elements essentialto the different species of wildlife are: - **Openland Wildlife.** Crop fields, meadows, pastures, and non-forested lands. - **Woodland Wildlife.** Forested lands and in the wild. - **Wetland Wildlife.** Marsh lands, shallow water, streams, ponds. **Climate** - the usual condition of the temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall and other elements in an area of the Earth\'s surface for a long time. **Weather** - refers to short-term changes in the atmosphere. Five (5) Main Climate Types On Earth 1. Tropical 2. Dry 3. Temperate 4. Continental 5. Polar The Climate of the Philippines is **tropical** and **maritime**. In each, a site should be investigated in terms of: - Solar orientation for buildings - The best facing slopes - Wind flows for breezes **Passive Cooling** - is the technology of cooling spaces through proper siting of structure and use of energy-efficient materials, with the overall objective of energy conservation. - Solar Orientation - Altitude - Topography - Vegetation - Water Bodies **Module 4: Social and Psychological Considerations of the Site** **Social**- Living or disposed to live in companionship with others or in a community, rather than in isolation. **Sociology** - is the study of Man and Society. **Psychology** - Science which deals with the reaction of the organism to the environment, studies mental processes, experiences and behavior in different contexts. **Site Values/Social Impacts** - Observation and direct consultation with members of community. - Become familiar with the general principles or "universals." **Social Analysis** - questionnaire or attitude survey. **Behavior Settings** - Behavior is the result of a complex interaction between two main sets of variables. Three categories of human factors: 1. physical, 2. physiological, 3. and psychological. **Physical Factors** - Analysis of average measurements and postures, movement, and growth results in a set of dimensions for parts of building and detailed landscape design. **Psychological Factors** - basic human inner condition may be classified into five generalized groupings of motivational forces and psychological needs: - Social - Stabilizing - Individual - Self-expression - Enrichment Environment Perception and Behavior - The interaction of the individual. - The way places assume meaning. - Perception is a more complex process than just seeing. **USER REQUIREMENTS** **Anthropometrics** - The study of human body measurement for use in anthropological classification and comparison. **CULTURAL/HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE** - **Existing Land Use**. The pattern of existing land use must be designated in relation to the site. - **Existing Buildings**. If a project is to be expanded, buildings on the site must be shown graphically and their uses and facilities studied. - **History.** Any large project may have a meaningful background that influences future expansion. - **Socio-Economic Factors**. Social Factors have a broad range of effects on community facilities and services. - **Demographic Factors**. Population is the base of many land use planning decisions. **ACTIVITY/COMMUNICATION LINKAGES** - While studying the location of the site and its relation to adjacent properties and to the community, all existing ties or linkages, if any, should be specified. **Traffic And Transit** - In inventorying existing vehicular networks, trips, including their origin and destination, purpose, time of the day, and volume should be considered. **Traffic And Transit Systems** - The relationship of traffic pattern to each other and to the site must be studied for adequacy of access and efficiency of circulation within and outside of the site. **Density** - an important sociological and legal element in most types of development. **Density and Zoning** - Density refers to the population per unit land area. This data will determine whether existing utilities and land areas will be sufficient to sustain additional future development. **PERTINENT LAWS** - Relevant and applicable laws and ordinances within a certain area (Subdivision/ Compound, Barangay, Municipality, City, Province) - Local government ordinances - Land use and zoning - Others **Module 5: Aesthetic and Physical Considerations of the Site** **Aesthetics** - word concerned with the beauty or taste of particular thing or person. - most primarily used for something that attracts our looks appealing to our senses. - It is widely used to express the outer beauty of an object or person. The words aesthetics is said to be derived from German Ästhetisch or French esthétique, which themselves were inspired from the Greek word aisthetikos meaning sensitive or sensory. **Aesthetic Considerations in Design** - Appearance is an outward expression of quality of the product or place, and is the first communication of product or place with the user. - Aesthetics is defined as the set of principles of appreciation of beauty. It deals with the appearance of the product. **VISUAL AESTHETIC KEY ELEMENTS.** 1. Colors 2. Shapes 3. Forms 4. Patterns 5. Line 6. Symmetry 7. Continuity 8. Proportion 9. Contrast 10. Style 11. Impression and Purpose 12. Material and surface finish 13. Tolerance **Aesthetic Factors** - **Natural Features** - When sites are characterized by outstanding natural features of earth, rock, water or plant material, these may be incorporated in the site development as natural assets of the land. - **Spatial Pattern** - The way an open space of a given site is configured according to an arrangement of elements that evoke activity or flow, both physically or visually. - **Visual Resources** i. **View** -- is a scene observed from a vantage point. ii. **Vista** -- is a confined view, usually directed toward a terminal or dominant feature. It has three components: a viewing station, a view, and a foreground.