SITE PLANNING

VA R I O U S FA C T O R S A F F E C T I N G S I T E P L A N N I N G F O R D I F F E R E N T P R O J E C T L I K E
M A S S H O U S I N G P R O J E C T,
RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS,
I N D U S T R I A L P R O J E C T,
I N S T I T U T I O N A L P R O J E C T, P U B L I C P R O J E C T,
R E S O R T / T O U R I S T P R O J E C T.

Prof. Deepti Rajput

Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University
 SITE PLANNING
W H AT I S A S I T E P L A N ?
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• A site plan is an architectural plan, landscape architecture document, and a detailed engineering drawing of proposed
improvements to a given lot. A site plan “usually shows a building footprint, travel-ways, parking, drainage facilities,
sanitary sewer lines, water lines, trails, lighting, and landscaping and garden elements.

• A site plan is a readable map or a residential diagram depicting the plot of land on which the house sits, along with
landscape topography and any exterior features or structures such as a detached garage, in-ground swimming pool,
large trees, fencing, utility poles and power lines, driveways, easements, etc.

• Site plans are generally diagrams that county governments require for their records to ensure local and state building
codes are adhered to. Because homeowners may make rather significant changes to their property, government is also
the resource to retain site plans for historical records.

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
W H AT I S A S I T E P L A N ?
3

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
THE OVERALL LAND-USE PLANNING PROCESS.
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• Site planning is an integral part of the land-use planning process; it determines the detailed layout of an area of land
so that it functions effectively in relation to a given range of land uses on the site and others around it.

• It occurs directly before or is part of the detailed design process, depending on the complexity and scale of the site.

• In the overall planning process site planning occurs after the strategic planning has taken place and after the land use
has been decided in relation to social, economic and environmental needs.

• Site planning is about working out the detail of what should happen on a given area of land, how it should happen
and what it will cost to implement and manage the project on that area of land.

WHEN IS IT N EC ES S A RY TO PR OD U C E A S ITE PLA N ?

A site plan is needed:

1. Whenever it is proposed to change the use of an area of land or build on all or part of it;

2. Whenever it is proposed to change the way in which an area of land and its associated landscapes is managed and
maintained.

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
SITE PLANNING AND THE COST OF DEVELOPMENT
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Calculating the costs is an important part of the site planning process both in terms of actual cost to the developer of
alternative solutions and the costs to society which result from the proposed development. Costs to society are incurred,
for instance, through:
1. the need to provide an adequate infrastructure;
2. the extra work which has to be carried out to protect adjacent natural resources;
3. the need to create new landscapes because of damage to the visual resources caused by the development;
4. the loss of cultural resources;
5. the need to relocate people whose lives are disturbed by an unacceptable land-use change, for instance one which
increases the local noise level.

S I T E P L A N N I N G C A N S AV E M O N E Y

Properly conducted, the site planning process can often indicate that more effective and cheaper approaches to site layout
and design are possible and, therefore, it can be used as a way of increasing the profitability of individual projects or
even making them possible where previously they had seemed uneconomic.

The process is of particular value when it incorporates consideration of the long-term management cost of different
layout and design solutions, for these too have an important impact on the financial viability of any project for the
financier.

The development of any site entails capital costs for site preparation and the implementation of the project, maintenance
costs and site management costs. For most sites the viability of development can be judged only if all these financial
aspects are considered, not just initial capital costs.

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
WHEN IS IT NECESSARY TO PRODUCE A SITE PLAN?
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Site plans are required for all developments involving the construction of buildings or other engineering structures:

• Housing developments
• Industrial developments
• Commercial developments
• Recreational developments
• Communications developments.

Site plans are not only required when building operations are proposed; they are needed when it is planned that
any part of the external environment should be used in a different way or for a different purpose, or that the land
is to be managed differently.

This includes:

• Housing rehabilitation
• Industrial rehabilitation
• Commercial area rehabilitation
• Reclamation of derelict land
• Afforestation
• additional or improved parks and open spaces
• changing landscape management practices.

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
TYPES OF SITE WHICH NEED A SITE PLAN.
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• Site plans are produced for all types and sizes of site, from individual site plans for areas as small as a house and
garden, to large housing and industrial estates or recreational areas covering several hundred hectares. The principles
are the same—the level of work and detail are not.

• In many circumstances the production of a site plan is inextricably linked with the detailed design of a site, but the
more complex a site the more likely that the site planning and site design stage will be separated and even carried out
by different people.

• Each site plan will be different as it involves a different emphasis. The skill of the site planner or the site planning
team lies partly in speedily identifying the particular problems of an individual site and concentrating on them.

• However, before reaching the stage of becoming a professional expert the student must learn the whole process and
apply it in a wide variety of circumstances. Only then will the expertise which allows the short cuts to be spotted be
acquired.

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
I N I T I AT I N G A S I T E P L A N .
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• The owner of an area of land, or a person or organization with an interest in the land, normally initiates the site
planning procedure.

• However, as has already been explained, unless they employ professional planners, architects or landscape architects,
those involved are not always aware that they are initiating the process termed site planning.

• They may describe their decisions as ‘deciding how to use or make money out of the land’—but that is exactly what
site planning is.

• It is important that the professionals have a clear understanding of the financial and other advantages to the developer
of rigorously following the site planning procedure. Without that, few of the developers who do not presently use the
process are likely to be won over to its benefits.

• It is particularly important that land-use planners and those officials in charge of controlling development understand
what needs to be done to produce a site plan and can advise a developer where to find the necessary assistance and
which short cuts can be taken for individual sites.

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
APPOINTING A SITE PLANNING TEAM.
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It is the developer’s responsibility to appoint a site planner or a planning team. In most circumstances the developer will
be a private individual, a private organization, a corporation or a public body.

Large organizations will commonly appoint site planning teams even if they are just composed of financial experts and
these teams are often able to co-opt the necessary expertise to allow them to do their task effectively.

Small private organizations and individuals are less likely to think that site planning is an important part of the process of
developing their site, but their attitude will depend on their past experiences

In the site planning team many people are involved in making site planning decisions—not just the owner of the land and
professional advisers:

1. The client: the developer, the builder, the financier.

2. The technical team: landscape architects, planners, architects, engineers, surveyors.
3. The community: the local community, the future users, the local councillors and the council officers.

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
APPOINTING A SITE PLANNING TEAM.
3
Some of the major differences between sites which influence the composition of the site planning team are:

• it has different physical problems

• it has different natural environmental problems
• people use it for different activities
• each group using it has different needs
• it is owned by different people
• it is being paid for by differing means
• it is maintained in different ways.

Professions and experts most likely to be involved in site planning are:

1. landscape architects, architects, urban designers, civil engineers;

2. environmental planners, town planners, land-use planners, economic planners, social planners;
3. building scientists, climatologists, geologists, geomorphologists, ecologists, hydrologists, pedologists, archaeologists;
4. estates managers, housing managers, recreation managers, open space managers;
5. public health, fire and safety staff;
6. built environment conservation staff, natural environment conservation staff, countryside management staff, site
interpretation staff;
7. foresters. farmers.

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
PRODUCTION OF A SITE PLAN.
3

Figure 1.1 summarizes the stages involved in the production of a site plan from the point when a developer (the client of the site planner) decides to develop a site to the
production of design briefs.

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
THE SITE INVENTORY
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The physical environment Views and scenery Ecological value

Geology and geomorphology Landscape types Local climate

Topography Landscape character The social environment

Water Unique areas and features Land-use

local climate The user requirements Built environment

The natural environment Functioning of the site Rural environment

Soils The activities in buildings Population

Vegetation The activities outside Historical development

Wildlife Diversity of environmental settings Land ownership

Air quality

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
TYPES OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND THEIR SITE SELECTION
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What is a residential building?
A residential building is defined as the building which provides more than half of its floor area for dwelling purposes. In
other words, residential building provides sleeping accommodation with or without cooking or dining or both facilities.
• Residential buildings are divided into following types:
• Individual houses or private dwellings
• Lodging or rooming houses
• Dormitories
• Apartments
• Hotels

Factors Affecting Site Selection of Residential Buildings

There are many factors which must be taken in to account while selecting a site for a commercial and residential
buildings. Some of these factors are given below.
1. Shape of the plot:
Geometry of the plot for any kind of construction is very important which can largely effect the appearance of your
structure. Shape of the plot should be such that the construction can be easily made with cost low as possible. And also in
the future you can further expand it. A plot with more routes will be considered a good one

2. Location of the plot:

The surround area of the residential plot is very important. It effects the price and the beauty of the plot. Plot should be
taken in the area provided with a lot of services. And in a suitable environment free from all kind of pollutions. Efforts
should be make to buy it near to main road. Because such plots are more valuable as compared to the plots situated away
from the main road.

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
TYPES OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND THEIR SITE SELECTION
3
4. Water table:
The water table at the site of residential building should not be very high. otherwise it will effect the quality of water
which are used for drinking and domestic purposes. A plot with normal water table will be more preferred as compared
with other plots having high water table.

5. Sewerage System:
There should be proper sewerage system at the site of residential plots. So that the extra water of houses can easily be
drawn out especially in rains and floods. if in case there is no sewerage system the dirty water effect the building and as
well the occupants as well..

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS AND THEIR SITE PLANNING
3
• The primary objective in residential and community site planning is to provide a desirable place to live for the
intended users.

• Different parameters will be applied and different elements will be selected depending on who the end-user is to be.

• Developments targeted toward young families with children, for example, include features that would be out of place
in a project designed for empty-nesters.

• House size, lot size, common space, and recreation facilities will be quite different, but some commonalities are
found in all quality residential developments.

• The most desirable communities allow maximum pedestrian access to schools, work, shops, but also provide easy
transit in and out of the neighbourhood.

• The presence of human scale streets and buildings, the softening and tempering effects of trees, and the diversity
of social and architectural aspects are commonly considered to be important aspects of a community.

• Although security and safety are often cited as important, achieving these through hardening of buildings and sites is
not desirable.

• Local streets should be designed with a coherent pattern of circulation, and the project layout should be sensitive
to the land and not require substantial alteration and a loss of character.

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS AND THEIR SITE PLANNING
3
• Houses or residential units should be arranged to provide variation and visual interest.

• After the style and affordability of houses, lot layout and character is the most important element of the typical
residential development project.

• The number of lots is of critical concern to the developer, and lot size and character are important to buyers.

• In a competitive residential market, developers may compete on the basis of price, quality, or the character of their
units or amenities.

• Valuable lot amenities include the presence of trees, lot shape and size, views, and access to water.

• It is important to begin to identify home sites early in the site analysis. Generally this is done using topographic
mapping of the site and walking the entire site to identify valuable locations or site features.

• Identification of home sites and related issues will drive the planning and design of the site.

• Home sites are identified by determining where it would be nice to live; it is fundamentally a simple process.

• A good location is a combination of the surroundings, access, amenities, and more subjective concerns such as desire
for a sense of neighbourhood or security.

• In the development of sites for more affordable homes, lot size tends to be smaller and the linear feet of road per unit
lower.

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS AND THEIR SITE PLANNING
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• The layout of a residential development is part of an overall community design.

• Communities are more than a collection of houses; they include recreation facilities, schools, shopping centres,
workplaces, and religious institutions.

• Not all projects include all of these features, but it is appropriate for designers and developers to consider how the
proposed project will relate to existing or future features.

• The next section highlights one successful regional approach to community planning and development.

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
TYPES OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND THEIR SITE SELECTION
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What is a commercial building?
A commercial building definition is one in which at least 50 % of its floor space is used for commercial activities, such
as retail, the providing of services, or food service (restaurants and the like). Additionally, a commercial building (or,
land) may also be defined as a space that has the potential for being one that brings in income.
• Office
• Retail
• Industrial
• Multi-family Land

Factors Affecting Site Selection of commercial Buildings

The following are the few factors which must be taken into account while selecting a site for commercial building.

1. Location:
The value of a commercial building depends upon its location, whether it is located in the center of the region or at the
borders or on the main road or away from the main road. For a good commercial building it should be on the main road
and in the centre of the region.

2. Climate of Region:
The strength and stability of building mainly depends upon the climate of the region in which it is going to be
constructed. As commercial buildings are very important and expensive form economic points of so it must be
constructed according to the terms and conditions of region. So that it can be remain safe form floods, rains, snowfalls
etc.

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
TYPES OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND THEIR SITE SELECTION
3
3. Availability of Raw materials:
Usually commercial buildings require more construction materials as compared to a normal residential house. So before
the construction of the commercial building it must be sure that raw materials are available near by. Other wise it will
become uneconomical.

4. Cost and time frame:

Before the construction of commercial a through investigation should made for the cost and time frame for the
commercial building. Cost and time frame mainly depends upon the location and the availability of Raw materials.

5. Populations of the region:

Commercials building are constructed to meet the need of the local population. So for this purpose it must be constructed
in the region having sufficient population in which the commercial building can restore its cost.

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
COMMERCIAL PROJECTS AND THEIR SITE PLANNING
3
• The primary objective in residential and community site planning is to provide a desirable place to live for the
intended users.

• Different parameters will be applied and different elements will be selected depending on who the end-user is to be.

• Developments targeted toward young families with children, for example, include features that would be out of place
in a project designed for empty-nesters.

• House size, lot size, common space, and recreation facilities will be quite different, but some commonalities are
found in all quality residential developments.

• The most desirable communities allow maximum pedestrian access to schools, work, shops, but also provide easy
transit in and out of the neighbourhood.

• The presence of human scale streets and buildings, the softening and tempering effects of trees, and the diversity
of social and architectural aspects are commonly considered to be important aspects of a community.

• Although security and safety are often cited as important, achieving these through hardening of buildings and sites is
not desirable.

• Local streets should be designed with a coherent pattern of circulation, and the project layout should be sensitive
to the land and not require substantial alteration and a loss of character.

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University

 SITE PLANNING
REFERENCES
3
Beer, A.R. and Booth, P. (1983) Development control and design quality, Parts one and two, Town Planning Review, 54,
3 and 4.
Cullingworth, J.B. and Nadin, V. (1997) Town and Country Planning in the UK, Routledge, London.

https://theconstructor.org/building/types-site-selection-residential-building/5995/
https://www.aboutcivil.org/site-selection-for-commercial-buildings.html
https://www.aboutcivil.org/site-selection-for-residential-buildings.html

SITE PLANNING AND DESIGN HANDBOOK (SECOND EDITION) BY THOMAS H RUSS

Prof. Deepti Rajput Swarrnim Startup And Innovation University