Selection

and analysis
of site

Vehicular
and Formation
pedestrian of landuse
circulation

Development
of visual and Adjustments
material of site
concepts. factors

Arriving at
proper
Site planning is the allocation of functions in a piece of land to derive efficient construction
al details.
utilization of resources at disposal. Useful spaces with respect to functions are being
created in the process and the character of site is accentuated.
 NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT
Zoning of the neighborhood is important and information could be found with
municipal authorities. Numerous issues viz. architectural patterns, street lighting,
condition of existing buildings must be observed. This would also include the
immediate surroundings of the site. The reaction of the surrounding buildings towards
the site and people moving around should be analyzed.

SUBSURFACE FEATURES
This includes analysis of Geology: Geological history of the area, bedrock
type & depth etc. Hydrology: Underground water table, aquifers, springs etc.
Soil Genesis: Erosion susceptibility, moisture, bearing capacity etc.
SIZE AND ZONING
Land use of site, adjacent
use, zoning restrictions,
easement etc. Site boundaries
can be located by either
verifying the dimensions
physically or through map
records of land Development
controls such as MOS, height
restrictions, ground coverage,
FAR parking requirements
could be obtained from
development plans. Zoning
classifications from a zoning
map to be procured from the
city planning department.
SENSORY
Aerial photography, sketching, visual surveys and other
methods of direct observation to be employed. Sensory
elements such as noise, odors, smoke, and pollutant areas must
be detected and re corded.

UTILITIES
Includes power, sewage network, gas network & water
supply. Availability and proximity to sources are to be
examined.
 CLIMATE
AESTHETIC FACTORS
Information on precipitation,
Visual analysis Scenic views,
annual rain/snow, humidity,
flora and fauna, rock
wind direction, solar intensity &
formations, water bodies,
orientation, average max & min
green cover valleys, rivers
temperature can be obtained
and mountains etc. add to
through the local weather
value of site. Any such
service. Rainfall, humidity &
features if available shall
temperature over months must be
need call for designing
recorded. Annual sun path data
preferential locations.
throughout an entire year to be
noted importantly.
 KEVIN LYNCH’S THEORY
FOR SITE PLANNING/
Planning and design occur as a process,
by which we mean that they follow a DESIGN PROCESS
logical sequence of actions or events that
must be carried out to arrive at a viable
solution.
It is a multi-disciplinary problem-solving
operation often involving architects,
landscape architects and engineers, and
frequently may require input from physical
scientists as well to address environmental
issues.
It requires a logical objectivity for some
steps, but also allows room for subjective
design interpretation at others.
There are several notable models from which we can
draw to understand the basic components of the site
planning and design process. Kevin Lynch outlines an
eight-stage site planning cycle that includes:

1. Defining the problem

2. Programming and the analysis of site and user
3. Schematic design and the preliminary cost estimate
4. Developed design and detailed costing
5. Contract documents
6. Bidding and contracting
7. Construction
8. Occupation and management (Lynch 11)
John Simonds outlines a six-phase planning-design
PLANNING-DESIGN
process that applies to architecture, landscape
architecture, and engineering. This process is organized
PROCESS
as follows:

1. Commission
2. Research
3. Analysis
4. Synthesis
5. Construction
6. Operation (Simonds 128-129)
Distinctiveness
Vivid colours is not a restriction,
but you must be cautious and
conscious at the same time. You
certainly don’t want the focus to
shift just because you like Saffron
or may be RGB Red. Again, vibrance
is not a restriction, the usage has to
be calculative.
Moving further, this aspect
helps keeping the values of
different objects at an
equivalent level and gives a
depth to the perspective.
Light plays the most important role in rendering
drawings. The placement of the light sources and
the type of light falling on the drawing creates
interesting transitions. Light adds on the required
dynamics to the drawing by aptly playing with the
shades and shadows of the drawings.

In case of plans, elevations and sections, the

sociography comes in play while in case of views
and perspectives, the shade as well as shadows
comes into play. The amount of gradient, darkness
and lightness of differently lit areas enhances the
visual drama of the drawings and makes it more
realistic and appealing to the reader.