SITE ANALYSIS AND SITE PLANNING

By Ar Aishwarya K
 Site analysis and Site planning
Site Planning is defined by Kevin Lynch as “the art of arranging structures on the land and shaping
the spaces between; an art linked to architecture, engineering, landscape architecture and city
planning.”
Site analysis is an
inventory completed as a
preparatory step to site
planning, a form of urban
planning which involves
research, analysis, and
synthesis.
o It primarily deals with
basic data as it relates
to a specific site.
o The topic itself
branches into the
boundaries of
architecture,

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

landscape,
engineering, real
estate development,
economics, and urban
planning disciplines.
o Site analysis is an o Kevin A. Lynch, an urban planner developed an eight cycle step
element in site process of site design, in which the second step is site analysis
planning and design.
Site analysis and Site planning
GOAL OF SITE ANALYSIS
 To achieve a successful design, site analysis is a must & should be done carefully
 Site Analysis involves taking an inventory of site elements and analyzing the factors relative to
the clients needs & aims
 Gather relevant information about the properties of the site, from topography to climate to wind
pattern and vegetation
 Analyze these features and incorporate them into the design
 Analyzing the conditions, ideal location for building can be established

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

Site analysis and Site planning

SITE ANALYSIS involves the study of the

site in terms of the following:

NATURAL FACTORS
1. Geology
2. Geomorphology
3. Hydrology
4. Vegetation
5. Wildlife
6. Climate

CULTURAL FACTORS
1. Existing land use
2. Traffic and transit
3. Density and zoning
4. Socio-economic factors
5. Utilities

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

6. Historic factors

AESTHETIC FACTORS
1. Natural features
2. Spatial patterns
3. Visual Resources
Site analysis and Site planning – NATURAL FACTORS
 NATURAL FACTORS
1. Geology: Geological history of the area,
Bedrock type & depth etc. ; Igneous,
Sedimentary and metamorphic rocks

2. Geomorphology
• Physiography : description of landforms
• Topography and Slopes
• Soil : Composition and Soil Texture
• Drainage
• Soil Erosion

3. Hydrology – Underground water table,

aquifers, springs etc.

4. Vegetation – Plant ecology

• Type, Size, Location, Shade Pattern,

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

Aesthetics, Ecology etc.

5. Wildlife – Ecology, Species etc.

6. Climate
• Precipitation, Annual Rain/Snow,
Humidity, Wind Direction, Solar
Intensity & Orientation, Temperature
Site analysis and Site planning – CULTURAL FACTORS
 CULTURAL FACTORS

Existing land use

Land Use Plans are available in each city and municipality to determine the areas for
commercial, institutional, industrial, residential, and open space uses.

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

Traffic and transit

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.

Socio-economic factors
The study of the community and its social and economic structures are done to determine
whether there is a need, an interest, or any objections on the project. Any proposed project

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

must be compatible with the economy of the particular community.

Utilities/Services
Sanitary/sewage system • Electric power supply • Water supply • Drainage Most water systems
will supply domestic, industrial, and fire stand-by supply from a distribution system. Storm
drains collect surface water and conduct it to rivers, creeks, or other bodies of water.

Historic factors : 1. Historic Buildings 2. Historic Landmarks 3. Archeology

Site analysis and Site planning – CULTURAL FACTORS
 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 patterns :
Spatial pattern is defined as 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
• VIEW – is a scene observed from a vantage
point. A view can be a theme that may
suggest and give added meaning to buildings.

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

The full view is not always the best view.
• 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. A view is usually
better if enframed or seen through an
appropriate screen.
Site analysis and Site planning – NATURAL FACTORS

SITE ANALYSIS AND PLANNING PROCESS

1. LOCATION:
• This is the first thing that one needs to look
at Where is the site located?
• Is the site approachable?
• What is the name of the street, the road
etc.
• On which side the site is located?
• How far away is the major junction?

2. ORIENTATION:
• The orientation of the site plays a very important
role in sighting of the building.
• This, when combined with the wind direction
and sun path, would give a good idea as to how
the design should be oriented so as to optimize

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

the design.
• The orientation along with the sunpath will also
determine the placement of rooms inside
buildings.
• For instance, in a warm tropical climate, the
bedrooms will be placed such that they are not
facing the west or the south.
Site analysis and Site planning – NATURAL FACTORS

SITE ANALYSIS AND PLANNING

PROCESS

3. TEMPERATURE & SUN PATH:

 The average temperature of the area
 The monthly average temperature to
be studied to determine the
temperature range and the
fluctuations, which will impact the
design.
 The sun path direction tells one which
will be the side from which will
receive the maximum heat In warmer
climates, the design will try to reduce
the amount of incident sunlight so 4. WIND DIRECTION:
as to reduce the heat intake to a  Most of the locations will have a major direction
minimum. from which the wind comes in general

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

 The lesser surface area of the
building which is exposed to the
sun, lesser will be the conductive
heating.
 In colder climates, the design will try
to maximize the amount of sunlight
incident on the building so as to have
maximum warmth as possible.
 If we are to design a climatologically responsive
building, it will be important to consider the
direction of the wind so that it can be channelized
through the interiors.
 This will play a major role in placement & size of
openings
 Site analysis and Site planning – NATURAL FACTORS

SITE ANALYSIS AND PLANNING PROCESS

5. SOIL TYPE & CONDITION:

• Soils vary from place to place. Their
properties also vary according to the type of
soil. Sandy soil, clayey soil, laterite etc, all
have different properties, which affect the
design of the building.
• This is very important from a structural
point of view while designing buildings.
The safe load bearing capacity of the soil is
to be found out after which the structural
system and the foundations will be designed
accordingly.
• Requirement for soil quality improvement by
addition of fertilizers varies with soil type.
• Some soils have peculiar properties.

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

• The Black cotton soil for example, is
perfectly normal when in a dry state.
However, as soon as it comes in contact with
water, it starts to expand, which will have a
very adverse effect on any building designed
on it. Thus, it is important to be aware of
these characteristics to avoid problems in
future.
Site analysis and Site planning – NATURAL FACTORS
SITE ANALYSIS AND PLANNING
PROCESS

6. TOPOGRAPHY:
• Topography refers to the slope
and level of the land – whether
the land is flat and plain, or
sloping.
• A sloping site is more complex ,
the exact slope can be interpreted
from a detailed Contour map.
• The contour locations and
spacing of contours will play a
big role in the siting of the
building.
• It is always better to design
buildings along with the
contours, integrating it into the

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

design to reduce unnecessary
cutting and filling of soil.
• Also, during the site visit, it is
important to check out the
stability of the slopes – whether
the slopes are solid enough to
permit construction on it.
 Site analysis and Site planning – NATURAL FACTORS
GRADING
• Grading is the process of modification of
existing landform to accommodate new
structures, parking and circulation and to
ensure positive drainage.
• Consideration must be given to utilities
such as: water, gas, power,
communication services, and sewerage
for disposal of wastewater, and storm CUT AND FILL METHOD FOR GRADING
water. • The process of removal of earth from one part of
site to achieve required grading and the place and
• Grading process requires a careful change
using the dug up earth to achieve required grading
of contours so that they support the by filling it at another place on the same sit.
integration of building with the site. • The amount of material from cuts roughly matches
the amount of fill needed to make nearby
embankments, so minimizing the amount of
Three principal goals in development of a construction labor.
grading plan are:

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

1. Keep unwanted water from entering a
building.
2. Keep surface run off from creating
damage to property or people during
periods of heavy rainfall and subsequent
runoff.
3. To accommodate the structure on site
with disturbing the site to minimum.
Site analysis and Site planning – NATURAL FACTORS

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

Site analysis and Site planning – NATURAL FACTORS

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

Site analysis and Site planning – NATURAL FACTORS

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

Site analysis and Site planning – NATURAL FACTORS

SITE ANALYSIS AND PLANNING PROCESS

7. HYDROLOGY:
• Hydrology refers to things related to
water. During the site visit, we need to
identify water bodies present in and
around the site like ponds, lakes, rivers
etc.
• The location and size of these water
bodies should be studied so that they can
be integrated into the design scheme. The
presence of water can lead to reduction
in the overall temperatures.
• It will also affect the moisture content in
the atmosphere.
• The water table is another very important
feature in any site study. This refers to the

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

level below the soil at which water is
present.
• For areas close to water bodies, the water
table may be very shallow. A shallow
water table will affect the stability of
foundations and additional precautions
will have to be taken.
Site analysis and Site planning – NATURAL FACTORS
SITE ANALYSIS AND PLANNING PROCESS

8. PRECIPITATION :
• The amount of rainfall that the site
receives and also the time period during
which the rainfall occurs are to be found
out.
• The average annual rainfall, often
measured in mm, gives you an idea about
the precipitation happening throughout
the year.
• It is also important to study the water
drainage pattern in the site - whether it
stagnates, or if it flows following the
natural slope, this has to be analyzed to
incorporate in the design.
• The Relative Humidity of the place also has
to be found out to determine the moisture

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

content in the atmosphere. A higher
relative humidity suggests a humid
climate, for which cross circulation of wind
at the body level is a must for comfort. A
lower relative humidity will suggest a dry
climate.
Site analysis and Site planning – NATURAL FACTORS
SITE ANALYSIS AND PLANNING PROCESS

9. VEGETATION & NATURAL FEATURES:

• The natural vegetation present on the site
is very important. Any good design will
integrate it into the design, highlight &
accentuate it to create a harmonious whole.
• The vegetation will consist of all the trees,
flora and fauna present on the site.
• These should me marked onto the site plan
so that it will assist during the design stage.
• Along with the location, the type of trees, the
size of the trees, diameter or spread of the
branches, heights etc are to be identified.
• Different trees have different characteristics
– the spread of leaves, the speed of
growth, the spread of roots, falling of
leaves, water requirement, soil

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

nourishment etc. All these features will vary
from tree to tree and will also play a major
role in the design.
• Along with trees and vegetation, other
natural features like rock formations,
swamps, marshes etc. are also to be
identified.
Site analysis and Site planning – NATURAL FACTORS

SITE ANALYSIS AND PLANNING PROCESS

10. INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES:

• This refers to the services present in the location.
• The major things to be considered are the water supply, drainage connection, waste
disposal, electricity supply etc.
• These are important while planning the zoning in the site.
• Affecting the flow of air and also sunlight.

11. SURROUNDING LANDUSES & BUILDINGS:

• One also needs to pay attention to the surrounding landuses and building around the site.
If the landuses are incompatible, it may lead to creation of issues in the design.
• For example, if there is a school right next to the site, the noise disturbance will have to be
factored in while designing. Also, the height and setbacks of adjacent buildings are
important in affecting the flow of air and also sunlight.

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

12. PROMINENT VISION LINES / VISUAL LINKAGES:
• This becomes a very important element in the design process. The views to the site as well
as the views from the site are to be carefully considered while designing.
Site analysis and Site planning

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

Site Suitability Analysis

Site selection indicates the

practice of new facility location,
both for business and
government. Site selection
involves measuring the needs of
a new project against the
merits of potential locations.

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019

Site selection or suitability analysis is a type of
analysis used to determine the best place or site for
something. Potential sites used in suitability
analysis can include the location of a new
hospital, store or school among many others.
What are the parameters to be considered for site analysis an d site
planning ?
Explain using a hypothetical site.

By Ar Aishwarya K , RRSA , 2019