What is a sustainable site plan?

A sustainable site plan takes into account the impact of the building on the surrounding
environment and its intended occupants.

Six Sustainable Site Planning Fundamentals

1. Site Selection. Some specific parameters to consider when selecting a site include:

 Avoid flood plains – the more increased in plain flooding, the more loss in its soil.

 Provide buffers for bodies of water – Development around bodies of water such as streams and wetlands
should be limited and include buffers of undisturbed areas of 50′-100′ or more.

 Avoid greenfields – greyfields and brownfields are often less expensive to develop, place less stress on
infrastructure and limit the environmental impact of developing previously undeveloped sites.

 Transportation – the impact that transportation of people and goods to a site has can be significant. Try
to select sites that encourage the use of public and non-motorized transportation.

2. Site/Building Layout
Proper building orientation can create energy savings of up to 25%. As little as 8 degrees of
rotation can have an impact. Consider the following when siting and orienting buildings.

 Elongate the plan on the east/west axis  Minimize east and west facing windows
 Maximize north and south exposure for  Orient most populated areas to the north and
daylighting south

Keep in mind that extreme climates may warrant different practices. For instance, in extremely cold
climates limiting windows on the north side may create energy savings that outweigh the benefits of the
daylighting that they provide.

3. Impervious Surfaces

Impervious surfaces limit groundwater recharge, increase pollutant loads and runoff and create a heat
island effect. Limiting the impervious areas on site to the minimum improves the aesthetic of the site,
reduces the environmental impact and saves money. Below are some things to consider in order to
reduce site imperviousness.

Minimize parking areas Implement pervious paving options

 Zoning code minimum or less  Pervious pavement/asphalt

 Incorporate compact car spaces when possible  Pervious concrete
 Provide plantings in and around parking areas  Permeable pavers
 Implement Green Roofs  Grass pave systems
 4. Grading Considerations

Mass site grading destroys the natural ecosystem present within the soil. This ecosystem provides
systems to break down pollutants, provide nutrients for biota, support insect and animal life and
numerous other benefits. It takes many years for the soil to recover from mass grading and sometimes
it never does. There is also the temporary or permanent impact of soil erosion which pollutes
waterways and washes valuable soil off site. Try to limit grading operations to the distances beyond
constructed items as shown below.

 10 feet beyond surface walkways, patios,  25 feet beyond constructed areas with
surface parking, and utilities permeable surfaces (pervious paving,
 40 feet beyond the building perimeter stormwater detention, and playing fields)
 15 feet beyond primary roadway curbs

5. Stormwater Management
Stormwater runoff is one of the most significant environmental impacts of a developed site.
But it also provides one of the greatest opportunities for sustainable design. All of the items
listed above help to limit the amount and speed of stormwater leaving the property and also
contribute to improving the water quality as well. However, developing a site can significantly
alter the hydrologic cycle for the property and surrounding area.

Raingardens/Bioretention

 6″-12″ deep Green roofs

 8%-10% of site area
 <1/2-acre drainage area  well suited for urban and ultra-urban areas
 up to 2 acres possible  intensive and extensive types
 landscape islands  < 20% roof slope
 4′-10’+ between parking rows  improves stormwater quality
 8′-10′ for double loaded rows  intercepts and stores rainfall (up to 50%)

6. Landscape Design
Landscape design often comes in afterthought consideration. This is unlucky and reduce the many
benefits that proper landscape design can have beyond aesthetics. On the other hand, improper
landscape design can have significant negative effects such as excessive potable water use and
erosion. Listed below are a number of items to consider during the site planning phase and throughout
the design process.

Limit potable water use

 Use Native Species  Shade buildings in summer,  Raingardens in parking areas

 Place landscape areas to allow sunlight in during  Bioretention rather than
receive runoff winter retention ponds
 Use captured rainwater  Place and design landscape
 Shade large hardscapes areas to filter and clean
stormwater
Source: Faulhaber, B. (2011 July 13). Six Sustainable Planning Fundamentals. Retrieved from www.
greeneconomypost.com/sustainable-site-planning-18040.htm#ixzz660ip8fZZ
 RESEACH NO. 1
Six Sustainable Site Planning
Fundamentals

MELGAR, CARLO LITO U.

BSARCH 3-2
AR. MAYNARD M. MUHI