Joanne M.

Bangoy

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 Planning)

Harvey M. Rubenstein defines it as ”the art and science of arranging the uses of portions of land. These uses are
designated in detail by selecting and analyzing sites, forming land use plans, organizing vehicular and pedestrian
circulation, developing visual form and materials concepts, readjusting the existing landforms by design grading, providing
proper drainage, and developing the construction details necessary to carry out the projects”. (A Guide to Site and
Environmental Planning, 1980)

There are two methods of establishing a SITE :

1. SITE SELECTION PROCESS
This process selects from a list of potential sites one that suits best the given use and requirements of the project .
2. DEVELOPMENT SUITABILITY PROCESS
This process selects the best possible use and development suited for a given site .

SITE ANALYSIS involves the study of the site in terms of the following :
Natural factors Cultural factors
1. Geology 1. Existing land use Aesthetic factors
2. Geomorphology 2. Traffic and transit 1. Natural features
3. Hydrology 3. Density and zoning 2. Spatial patterns
4. Vegetation 4. Socio-economic factors 3. Visual Resources
5. Wildlife 5. Utilities
6. Climate 6. Historic factors

Natural factors :

1. Geology
its composition; the processes that shaped its surface; and its history. Earth is made up of rocks (including soil, sand, silt
and dust); rocks are composed of minerals; minerals are made up of atoms :

2. Geomorphology – physiography, landforms, soils, drainage, topography and slopes, and soil erosion
- is that branch of Geology that deals with the origin, nature and distribution of landforms.
Physiography – refers to the description of landforms.
Landforms – are irregularities on the earth’s surface. They are derived from volcanic, glacial, or erosional processes.
When designing a piece of property for architectural, landscape architectural and engineering usage, it is essential for the
designer to first confront the nature of the land, particularly its form, its slopes, and its inherent capabilities for surface and
subsurface discharge of water, for supporting vertical and horizontal structures, and for resisting erosion. This exercise
requires four basic geomorphologic information such as :

Soil Properties – Composition and Soil Texture

 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. Sand and gravel particles provide for the greatest stability, usually yield a relat-ively high
bearing capacity,

 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,
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 (usually measured in cm or inches per hour);
 Permeability - the rate at which water within the soil moves through a given volume of material (also
measured in cm or inches per hour)
 Percolation - the rate at which water in a soil pit or pipe within the soil is taken up by the soil (used mainly in
wastewater absorption tests and measured in inches per hour)

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 caused by :

 The local accumulation of water ;

 A rise in the level of groundwater within the soil column;
 The size of the particles in the soil being too small to transmit infiltration water.

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

Four basic slope forms are detectable on contour maps:

 ANGLE OF REPOSE --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.
SLOPE ANALYSIS- is an important analytical process made on a topographic map that makes a proper match
between land uses and slopes and produces an overall pattern of slopes which helps the site planner in determining the
buildable portions of the site.

SLOPE PATTERN for ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS

0 – 5% Generally flat Highly buildable

5 – 10% Gently rolling Moderately buildable
10 – 15% Gentle to mild slopes Moderately difficult to build
15 – 20% Mild to steep slopes Difficult to build
20% and over Harsh, steep slopes Unbuildable

To compute the Distance of a slope from a topographic contour map :

DESIRABLE SLOPES – when slopes are selected according to building type and the activities associated with it.
-- Flat or gently sloping sites are preferred for industrial and commercial buildings
-- Hilly sites are preferred for fashionable suburban residences.
Slopes influence the alignment of modern roads according to class of roads; the higher the class, the lower the
maximum grades allowable.
SOIL EROSION – when rocks are broken down (weathered) into small fragments, and carried by wind, water, ice and
gravity. Energy for this process is solar and gravitational.

PREVENTION
Four factors to consider in forecasting erosion rates:
 Vegetation
Foliage intercepts raindrops
Organic litter on the ground reduces impact of raindrops
Roots bind together aggregates of soil particles
Cover density, in form of ground cover or tree canopy, decreases soil loss to runoff
 Soil Type
Intermediate textures like sand will usually yield (erode) first
To erode clay, the velocity of the runoff should be high enough to overcome cohesive forces that bind
the particles together
Similarly, high velocities would be needed to move masses of pebbles and particles larger than those
of sand
 Slope Size and Inclination
The velocity of runoff is closely related to the slope of the ground over which it flows. Slopes that are
both steep and l ong produce the greatest erosion because they generate runoff that is high in
velocity and mass.
Slope also influences the quantity of runoff since long slopes collect more rainfall and thus generate a
larger volume of runoff.
 Frequency and Intensity of Rainfall
Intensive rainfalls produced by thunderstorms promote the highest rates of erosion.
Accordingly, the incidence of storms plus total annual rainfall can be a reliable measure of the
effectiveness of rainfall in promoting soil erosion.

3. Hydrology – surface and ground water

Water table – is the upper boundary of the zone of groundwater; the top of unconfined aquifer .
Aquifer – A permeable geological stratum or formation that can both store and transmit groundwater in significant
quantities.
Watershed – a geographic area of land bounded by topographic features and height of land that captures
precipitation, filters and stores water and drains waters to a shared destination. Knowledge of watershed boundaries
is critical to water quality and storm water management.
4. Vegetation – plant ecology

The relevance of Plant Materials in site planning is in their role in :

 Climatic control
a) Solar Radiation – is Earth’s source of light and heat. It warms the earth’s surface, is reflected by paving
and other objects, and produces glare.
Trees are one of the best controls for solar radiation because:
they block or filter sunlight;
they cool the air under their canopies providing natural air conditioning;

Scientists have recorded that with an air temperature of 84deg F, surface temp of a concrete paving was 108 deg, while
surface temp under shade trees were 20deg lower.
b) Wind – helps to control temperature. When winds are of low velocity, they may be pleasant, but when
velocity increases, may cause discomfort or damage. Trees help to buffer winds in urban areas caused
by convection and Venturi effects.
c) Precipitation . Plants help to control precipitation reaching the ground. By intercepting rain and slowing
it down, they aid in moisture retention, and in the prevention of soil erosion. They also help soil retain
water by providing shade, or protection from the wind, or by water shedding function of trees’ roots.

 Environmental Engineering
a) Air Purification – Plants clean air through the process of photosynthesis where they use up carbon
dioxide emissions of cars and trucks and in the process release oxygen into the air.
b) Noise – To understand noise:
The sound level of normal conversation is about 60 decibels; a plane taking off produces 120 decibels
at a distance of 200 ft. Sound energy usually spreads out and dissipates in transmission. Sound waves can
be absorbed, reflected or deflected.

c) Glare and Reflection – Plants reduce glare and reflection caused by sunlight. A light source received
directly produces primary glare while reflected light is secondary glare. Plants may be used to filter or block
glare by use of plants with the appropriate size, shape, and foliage density.
d) Erosion Control – Plants are a primary means of preventing erosion from stormwater runoff and of
controlling erosion during construction. Erosion is also minimized by the plants action of intercepting rain,
decreasing splash, and increased water absorption.
e) Vegetation with extensive root systems imparts stability to slopes.

 Architectural and Aesthetic Uses

a) Space Definition- plants can help in several ways: as wall elements to form outdoor spaces; as
canopies to provide shade, or as ground covers to provide color and texture on the base plane.
b) View Control – While trees and shrubs can screen out objectionable views, they can also provide
backdrops for sculpture and fountains.
c) Mood – Plants affects peoples’ moods.

5. Wildlife – habitats
The three groups of habitat elements essential to the different species of wildlife are:
a) Openland Wildlife – includes birds and mammals commonly associated with crop fields, meadows,
pastures, and non-forested lands. Habitat elements essential for openland wildlife include:
 Grain and seed crops
 Grasses and legumes
 Wild herbaceous upland plants
 Hardwood woody plants
b) Woodland Wildlife – These species need various combinations of:
 Grasses and legumes
 Wild herbaceous upland plants
 Hardwood woody plants
 Cone-bearing shrubs such as pines.
 c) Wetland Wildlife – wetland species include birds and mammals needing habitats with:
 Wetland food plants or wild herbaceous plants of moist to wet sites, excluding submerged or
floating aquatic plants;
 Shallow water development with water impoundments not deeper than 5 ft.;
 Excavated ponds with ample supply of water at least one acre and average 6ft depth.
streams

6. Climate – solar orientation, wind, and humidity.

Climates can be generally classified into four types: COLD, TEMPERATE, HOT ARID and HOT HUMID.
In each, a site should be investigated in terms of:
Solar orientation for buildings;
The best facing slopes; and
Wind flows for breezes.

Best facing slopes

The more
perpendicular a slope
is to the rays of the
sun, the warmer the
surface temperature.
Temperatures vary with elevation – by
about 3 deg for every 1000 ft. (300m) in the
daytime.

Wind flows

Abrupt forms cause unpleasant air turbulence. Smooth forms induce smooth flow of air.
SITE PLANNING CONCEPT USING NATURAL FACTORS:

PASSIVE COOLING – 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
Cultural factors :
1. Existing land use – ownership of adjacent property, off-site nuisances
Land Use Plans are available in each city and municipality to determine the areas for commercial,
institutional, industrial, residential, and open space uses. These were planned according to the most rational
use of land in relation to the natural and socio-economic factors, and in accordance with compatibility with
adjacent land uses.

2. Traffic and transit – vehicular and pedestrian circulation on or adjacent to site

Efficient traffic and transportation systems will result in successful integration of the different developments
in the vicinity.

3. Density and zoning – legal and regulatory controls

Density refers to the population per unit land area.
Density is expressed in number of families or dwelling units per hectare. It may also be expressed in Floor
Area Ratio (FAR).

4. Socio-economic factors

5. Utilities – sanitary, storm-water, water supply, power supply, and communications.

It is important to determine the existing availability of utilities on site in terms of adequacy and efficiency.
This includes:
Sanitary/sewage system
Electric power supply
Water supply
Drainage

6. Historic factors – historic buildings, landmarks, and archeology

Aesthetic factors :
1. 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.

2. Spatial patterns – spaces and sequences

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.

3. Visual Resources – views and vistas

a. View – is a scene observed from a vantage point.
A view can be a theme that may suggest and give added meaning to buildings.
The full view is not always the best view.

b. 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.