INTRODUCTION TO SITE PLANNING AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

SITE PLANNING

Is the art and science of arranging the uses of portions of land

SITE PLANNER

Is the profession that designates the uses of portions of land in detail by:

1. Selecting and analyzing sites

2. Forming land use plan

3. Organizing vehicular and pedestrian circulations

4. Developing visual form and material concepts

5. Re-adjusting the existing landforms by design grading

6. Providing proper drainage

7. Developing the construction details necessary to carry out the projects.

Site Planning is professionally practiced by:

1. Landscape architect

2. Architect

3. Planner

4. Civil engineer

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Definition and Application of the profession of landscape architecture from The American
Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)

"Landscape architecture is the profession which applies artistic and scientific principles to the
research, planning, design and management of both natural and built environments. Practitioners of
this profession apply creative and technical skill and scientific, cultural and political knowledge in the
planned management of natural and constructed elements on the land with a concern for the
stewardship and conservation of natural, constructed and human resources. The resulting
environments shall serve useful, aesthetic, safe and enjoyable purposes.”

BRIEF HISTORY:

In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., considered today the Father of Landscape Architecture, initiated
a project that would redefine the industrial city. Historians credit the design and achievements of
Central Park in New York City with having a tremendous evolutionary impact on park design,
parkways, urban open space, pedestrian and transportation systems. In fact, Olmsted's innovations
at Central Park addressed and influenced the once of what is good in American urbanism and our
environment today.
There were others before Olmsted of course. However, Olmsted with his intense social commitment
resulting from many world travels and his strong involvement with the pre-Red Cross organization
during Civil War focused on planning and design (landscape architecture) as the best way to solve so
many of the urban ills of the mid-1800's. And there were others who followed him as well who
applied and improved on his innovations. The historical development of landscape architecture
parallels, in many ways, the unprecedented growth of the United State during the last half of 19th
century and all of the 20th century. Landscape architects became the leaders of social reform and
making our cities livable. They were the ones who offered counterpoint ideas for new town planning
and the need for parks and open space in our cities and suburbs. Landscape architects played
leadership role in writing the legislation and passage of the National Forest Act of 1898 and the
National Park Act of 1916 establishing a world precedent for the preservation and management of
our unique natural resources.

ROLES OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT:

Three (3) main purposes of landscape architecture

1. Preservation
2. Development
3. Enhancement
4. For the above landscape architecture purposes, the roles of the landscape architects include:

1. Investigation, selection and allocation of land and water resources for appropriate use.

2. Feasibility studies.

3. Formulation of graphic and wri5en criteria to govern the planning and design of land
construction program.

4. Preparation, review, and analysis of master plan for land use and development.

5. Production of overall site plans.

6. Landscape grading and landscape drainage plans, irrigation plans, planting plans, and
construction details.

7. Specifications

8. Cost estimates and reports for land development.

9. Collaboration in the design of roads, bridges, and structures with respect to the
functional and aesthetic requirements of the areas on which they are to be placed.

10. Negotiation and arrangement for execution of land area projects.

11. Field observation and inspection of land area construction, restoration, and
maintenance.
PARAMETERS OF SITE SELECTION AND ANALYSIS

Program development is based on the following factors:

1. Site requirements

2. Sizes

3. Types of building and site construction

4. Uses of materials

Two 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.

a. Ideal sites - sites with least modificafion, best meets the project requirements

b. 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.

Site Analys

After the site has been selected, detailed program and site analysis are the next concerns.

1. Design of a Program - by research and investigation, it is a must to organize a logical and

accurate program requirements on which the design may be base. This program will be as
detailed and as complete as possible. We draw knowledge and views from the following:

a. Owner/s

b. Users of the project

c. Maintenance men

d. Planners with similar undertakings

e. With our collaborators

f. With anyone who can contribute constructive thoughts

2. Analyses of the Site - thoroughly investigate and analyze the project site. Not only the specific
site contained within the property boundaries, but the total site, which includes the site environs
to the horizon and beyond. This also includes:

a. The feel of the land

b. The site analysis program - a print f the topographic survey furnished by the surveyor is
taken into the field and, from actual site observation, all site features or factors that supplement
or interpret the survey are plo5ed on it in the planner's own symbols. Such additional
information might include:

1.) Best views, poor views, objectionable views

3.) Flood level, undrained and swampy land

4.) Off-site nuisances

5.) Logical building areas of the site, logical points of ingress and egress.

6.) Sun diagram

7.) High and low points on the horizon give protection from or add force to sun and wind

Factors included in the Analysis of Site and its environments:

1. Natural factors

a. Physiography and landforms

b. Soil & geology

c. Hydrology

d. Vegetation

e. Wetlands and Wildlife habitats

2. Cultural factors

a. Site Values/Social Impact

b. Behavior Settings & Users Requirements

a. Site Values/Social Impact

b. Behavior Settings & Users Requirements

C. Cultural/Historical Significance

d. Activity/Communication Linkages

e. Pertinent Laws (Local ordinances, land use and zoning, & others)

3. Aesthetic factors

a. Site Context

b. Images/symbols

C. Sensuous Quality

Resource Analysis Process:

1. Overlay Mapping System

An overlay method of mapping natural determinants is often used to determine the suitability of
a particular site for prospective land uses.

2. Matrix
 A matrix can be developed of specific land use needs in relation to natural factors. For each land
use desired the inventory maps are interpreted for opportunities they offer.

3. Opportunity Maps

Opportunity maps are overlaid to produce a composite map.

4. Constraint Maps

Constraint to development must also be mapped for each component to show their influence on
development.

5. Suitability Maps

Constraint maps are now overlaid to form a composite map. A composite maps synthesis of
opportunities and constraints is formed to produce a suitability map for a prospective use.

Adaptation of Project to Site:

1 Plan Concept-perfection of the main design idea through collaboration of experts’ planners

2 The Site-Structure Diagram - blocking of the architectural elements of the project. It is a

3. The Creative Aspect of Planning understanding the idea to a clear concept.

ECOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS OF SITE (NATURAL FACTORS)

3.1 PHYSIOGRAPHY and LANDFORMS

PHYSIOGRAPHY - is the description of landforms

GEOMORPHOLOGY-a branch of geology dealing with the origin and nature of landforms with
Emphasis on erosional processes.

LANDFORMS - irregularities of the earth's surface.

Landforms are derived from:

1. Volcanic

2. Glacial or erosional processes

Landforms do not include man-made such as canals, ports and many harbors; and geographic
features such as deserts, forests, grasslands and impact craters.

GENERAL TYPES OF NATURAL LANDFORMS:

1. VALLEY- A low area of land between hills or mountains, typically with a river or stream flowing
through it.

2. PLAINS - A large area of flat land with few trees.

3. MOUNTAINS - A large natural elevation of the earth's surface rising abruptly from the
surrounding level, and a5aining an altitude greater than of a hill.
4. HILLS - A naturally raised area of land, not as high or craggy as a mountain.

5. VOLCANO - A mountain or hill, typically conical, having a crater or vent through which lava,
rock fragments, hot vapor, and gas.

SLOPE ANALYSIS:

Purposes:

1. To aid in recognizing areas on the site that lend themselves to building locations, roads,
parking, or play areas.

2. To show if construction is feasible.