Definition of Site Planning

Site planning is the art and science of arranging the uses of portions of land.

Site planners designate these uses 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
finally developing the construction details to carry out their projects.

Site planners arrange for the accommodation of the program of activities clients have specified.

They must relate these components to each other, the sites, and structures and activities on
adjacent sites – for whether sites are small or big, they must be viewed as part of the total
environment.

Site planning is the organization of the external physical environment to accommodate human
behavior.

It deals with the qualities and locations of structures, land, activities, and living things.

It creates a pattern of those elements in space and time, which will be subject to continuous
future management and change.

The technical output – the grading plans, utility layout, survey locations, planting plans,
sketches, diagrams, and specifications -–are simply a conventional way of specifying this
complex organization.

Site Concepts and Principles (Kevin Lynch)

- Every site is a unique interconnected web of things and activities that imposes limitations and
offers possibilities.

- A site or project/planning area varies in size, location and characteristics. (can be located
anywhere on land or beside a body of water, or may concern a small cluster of houses, a single
building and its grounds, or something as extensive as a small community built in a single
operation).

-“A site in its own right is a living, changing community of plants and animals.” Such a
community also has its own interests that should be conserved, preserved or protected.

-Knowledge of the site is vital in planning especially in mitigating competing or conflicting

interests between potential users and existing occupants to avert natural disasters such as
severe erosion, water intrusion, flooding, a drop in the water table, etc.

- The site and its intended purpose are closely interrelated

 - Understanding the site to define or establish the essential character or nature of the site or
“the spirit of the place” (genius loci) to maintain, to some degree, a continuity of the preexisting
conditions within the locale. Every place has a character, which may include the wider landscape
or may be local to a street or village.

- A sufficient knowledge and understanding of the nature of the site would make the planner
much conscious and sensitive to the site’s distinct character and “closely knit” complexity “as to
be worthy of his interest, concern and even his affection.”
- Understanding the site has two branches – one oriented to the users’ and the other to the site
itself.

Objectives of Site Planning

Site planning is concerned with the environment around buildings, open spaces within the built
environment and areas which are non-agricultural.
- It provides a means of identifying and understanding problems that arise from the relationship
between man and the land.
- Decide the best location of each land use and each activity at site.
- Who are to use the land, what activities they are likely to want to do there and what sort of
environment is required if the users have to get a high level of satisfaction out of participating in
site planning
- How analysis of the site’s environment (physical/social/ environmental/ cultural/political) are
required by each activity could be used to decide which part of the site can stay the same, which
parts need to be changed and what these changes aim to achieve. (impacts)
- How to influence the appearance of the site by developing appropriate landscape types and
using suitable landscape management methods. (methods/environmental quality)
- How to work out the details of what should happen on a given area of land; how it should
happen & what it will cost to implement and manage the project on the area of land.

Essence of Site Planning

According to Beer, the essence of site planning allows all concerned stakeholders to think
systematically through the whole range of issues that relate to deciding what should happen on
an area of land (site planning is multi-dimensional / multi-stakeholder / multi-sectoral activity)

- no one particular viewpoint is considered

- “holistic viewpoint”
- “multi-dimensional” viewpoint
- “comprehensive” viewpoint

- Think through all the problem that are likely to be associated with developing the site or
changing its use.

- Site planning attempts to consider the site in relation to the interest of society as a whole as
well as those of the developer/client when determining what activities should or should not
happen on land with the least possible adverse effect on the environment as a whole.
- Economic / social issues factored in to accommodate the interest of developer, politicians
especially.
 - ultimate decision-maker would be the developer guided by
a. policy – CLUP, laws, ordinances
b. systems and procedures / dev’t control
c. financial / economic constraints
d. market demand
- focus more on the analysis of the physical / natural environment to determine constraints to
land development / building development.

- To ensure that necessary expansive solutions are not chosen

- Site planning can help to reduce long term management cost associated with operating on a
site.

When to do Site Planning?

- A client has an intended use in mind (the project has been identified) and has identified a site
(site is available). The site planner proceeds with the planning process.

- A client has an intended use in mind (the project has been identified) but does not know where
to build the project (site is not yet available). In this case, a site planner is commissioned to
identify an appropriate site based on the needs of the client and plan the property.

- A client has a piece of property (the site is available) but does not know what to do with it (the
project has not been identified). In this case, a site planner is commissioned to determine the
best use for the property and plan it.

Site Planning Process

- A thorough assessment of the natural environment and the associated physical characteristics
of the site and its surroundings.

- A detailed analysis of the users and their requirements in terms of facilities for each activity
and the sort of environment needed to enable the activity to take place (environmental setting)
with the maximum possible user satisfaction.

- An assessment of the potential of the site, based on the relationship between the physical
characteristics of the site and the user requirements.

- An assessment of possibilities for changing the physical characteristics of the site to make a
better match between the users and the site.
 - Assessing the impact on the natural and visual environments of any changes to the physical
aspects of the site.

- Proposing a plan for the site which is a balance between man’s requirements and the need to
ensure the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment.

Stages in the Production of a Site Plan

1. Client wants to develop a site

2. Technical Team assembled

3. Key Issues Identified

4. Alternative Site Examined

5. Discussions with local planners/stakeholders

6. SITE INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT

7. Present and Future Needs

8. Site Potential Assessed

9. Environmental Policies

10. Alternative Development Concepts Examined

11. SITE PLAN

12. Planning Approval sought by client

13. Design and Management Briefs developed

Site Inventory and Assessment

- Involves a thorough assessment of the natural environment and the associated physical
characteristics of the site and its surroundings.

- Such factors are found above, below, and on the ground; make up the nature of the site;

- Knowing these factors and their interrelationships enables one to determine site constraints
(threats) and potentials (opportunities).
 - Knowledge of constraints and threats can mitigate or minimize potential damage or adverse
effects that site development may cause on the ecological (i.e., physical/biological) and social
fabric within the site or within the general vicinity of the site.

- Knowledge of the potentials and opportunities of the site can clarify, reveal or enhance the
nature of the site as well as the plan or design.

Data/Information Required in Preparing a Site Profile

- Site Inventory and Assessment require the collection of comprehensive and structured sets of
data descriptive of the geo-physical, biological and social environment in the site and around the
site. A site profile is the outcome of this activity.

Why Prepare a Site Profile?

- For planners, it provides information on the status and characteristics of the various aspects of
the environment which are indicative of the potentials and weaknesses of a particular area.

- For decision makers, the site profile provides information on the environment needed in the
formulation of policies, strategies or business decisions pertaining specifically to the area or to
the environment in general.

- For those concerned with the assessment and monitoring of the environment, the site profile
provides benchmark information on the environment with which various scenarios can be
drawn up with the introduction of particular development project(s).

In general, the Site Profile is a valuable tool:

- In making better decisions and trade-offs for more rational or sustainable development.

- In taking stock of or assessing the status of the environment of an area as of a given time.

- In providing information on the environment for consideration in project planning and

development as well as for monitoring and evaluation of a project’s impact on the environment;

- In preparing and evaluating the Initial Environmental Examination or the Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA); and

- In providing information for the purposes of management and conservation of the

environment
Description and Basis of Site Layout

Given the project’s general location, it is often desirable to draw up a site master plan to
indicate the spatial arrangement of the various facilities and show the allocation of spaces to the
different activities involved.
- Such plan will help ensure that the most functionally efficient layout, compatible with an
acceptable standard of environmental quality is obtained.
- Site and land use planning involves, firstly, a consideration of various developmental purposes.
- A sieve map which grades the various sections of the area according to the degree of physical
difficulty in developing them, is helpful in allocating the land for different uses.
- From this map can be noted the areas with steep slopes, low-lying sections liable to flooding,
areas with weak subsoil, etc. and other sections that restrict development except at high cost.
- At the same time, areas easily suitable for various developmental uses can be shown.

What is landscape design architecture?

It is the design of almost anything around you and under the sky. Green roofs, urban forms,
corporate campuses – they all define landscape architecture.

Generally, landscape architecture covers a huge spectrum, perhaps best understood by the
profession’s mantra: as achieving a balance between the built and natural environments. It
requires a multidisciplinary approach involving environmental science, art, ecology, and much
more. We have got you covered with resources; here are more than 20 Landscape Architecture
Free Books and Tutorials. Sometimes landscape design leads to extraordinary results such as
restoring endangered wetlands, securing government and other buildings, and removing toxins
from rainwater. These are not pie in the sky. They are what landscape architects are designing
right now.

Landscape architecture is a formal process of study, design, and construction by which new
landscapes are created to meet the aspirations of the people concerned. It involves framing
proper planning projects, more particularly those affected by changes and the badly damaged
areas, like example suburbs, peri-urban, industrial and coastal areas. The purpose of such
planning projects to radically re-shape the damaged landscapes.

Landscape Architecture and Landscape Architects

Landscape architecture is a discipline that focuses on intervention through the activities of

planning, design, and management. Also, it is concerned with the art and science that underpins
all activities. All these activities are united in the concept of landscape, which is defined in
various ways. However, it is generally understood to mean the outdoor environments and
relationships between people and places. Landscape architecture is concerned with landscapes
of all types both urban and rural, and at all scales from the smallest open space to the whole
region.
 As a result, people enjoy attractively designed gardens, public parks, playgrounds, residential
areas, college campuses, shopping centers, golf courses, and parkways. Landscape architects
design these areas so that they are not only functional but also beautiful and harmonious with
the natural environment. They plan the location of buildings, roads, and walkways, as well as the
arrangement of flowers, shrubs, and trees.

Some landscape architects work on a variety of types of projects. Others specialize in a

particular area, such as street and highway beautification, waterfront improvement projects,
parks, and so on. Others work in regional and resource management, feasibility, environmental
impact, and cost studies or site construction. Increasingly, landscape architects work in
environmental remediation such as preservation and restoration of wetlands or abatement of
stormwater runoff in new developments. Historic landscape preservation and restoration is
another area where landscape architects increasingly play a role.

Contemporary Landscape Architecture

The new concept of landscape architecture comprises the study of optimal connections
between human civilization and the environment. It is the landscape of urban open spaces that
are considered ideal fields for such experiments of everyday life. At the same time, there is an
awareness that exists is always pointing out that space is transformed, improved, and changed
by man as a cultural being. In the meantime, the environment can never be fully controlled, and
that the natural world has its authentic values and mechanisms that can never be controlled or
tamed (Galecic, Unknown).

Role of Landscape Architects

It is observed that landscape architects create the landscape around us. They plan, design, and
manage open spaces including both natural and built environments. They work to provide
innovative and aesthetically pleasing environments for people to enjoy. Their work covers
diverse projects that range from designing the layout of parks, gardens, and housing estates to
city-center design, sporting sites, and improving the land. This means that the role of landscape
architects is not just beautification, but it is about creating the space itself, creating the
ambiance of development, and creating the quality of the built environment.