FACTORS IN

EVALUATING
A
PREPARED BY:
SITE
CRUZ, HANNA JEZREEL
 FACTORS IN
SITE SELECTION

PHYSICAL CULTURAL REGULATORY

FACTOS FACTORS FACTORS
CLIMATE
- Prevailing Winds: direction, velocity, Special Forces like
tornados and hurricanes
- Solar Orientation: sun angles, days of sunlight, cloud
cover, shading of/from adjacent structures, natural
features and vegetation
- Temperature: ranges of variation, maximum and minimum
temperature
- Humidity: ranges of variation, maximum and
minimum temperature
- Precipitation: peak period totals, annual and seasonal
amount of rainfall
WIND
Wind is a significant factor in building and
construction because of its destructive
capability. Both average wind speeds and
prevailing direction must be considered in the
design process for the building to be able to
withstand the peak of wind forces.
Building features like roofs and cladding are
most vulnerable to wind. Residential buildings,
in particular, are designed to resist wind
forces with ridge and hip designs. Underneath,
strong and durable dry hip systems provide
resistance against uplift forces.
RAINFALL
Rainfall is also an important consideration
for building projects. Accumulation of
rainfall can be detrimental to the integrity
of a building, hence why more buildings in
wetter regions of the world are built with
gable or hip roofs as opposed to flat roof
systems.
Protecting internal structures and
materials from rainfall is also essential,
again relying on a solid roof barrier and
underlying membrane.

TEMPERATURE
Temperature has a significant influence on
the materials used in a building project. Air
temperature determines the materials used
for the above-ground structure, while soil-
temperature plays a big role in the choice
of foundation.

The average air temperature also

determines the use and thickness of
insulation in a building, with colder climates
needing more insulation to retain heat.
SUNLIGHT
Sunlight is an important consideration because of
the role of the sun’s energy. Warmer regions of the
world, namely areas nearer to the equator, adopt
different building practices and designs to block
more sunlight. For example, smaller windows are
used to limit the amount of su`ions where the
window to wall ratio changes to harness more
sunlight.
Designing buildings to face a certain way is also
an important task for architects to capture light at
certain times of the day and avoid it at others.
HUMIDITY
Humidity is a significant factor when
choosing building materials and
designing structures. Higher levels of
humidity increase the likelihood of
condensation and water erosion in
buildings, so water-resistant and anti-
corrosive materials are chosen to
limit this issue. Furthermore,
circulation in buildings with higher
internal or external humidity is a more
significant consideration to protect
the structural integrity.
TOPOGRAPHY
- Legal Property Description
- Topographic Maps and Aerial Photos: contour and
spot elevations, slopes, escarpments, erosion channels,
rocks, ledges, ridges, drainage lines and other unique
features, visual characteristics, and potential obstacles
in the topography during construction
- Analysis of Physical Features
- Existing Access and Circulation: vehicular, pedestrian
- Vegetation
- Existing Water Bodies: location, size , depth, direction
of flow, quality, expected water levels, ecological
features like swamp, lake, pond, rivers
- Drainage Canals: river, stream, marshes, lakes, ponds
- Existing Waterway Easements: surface and sub-
surface
- Surface Drainage
- Unique Site Features
 It is generally known that road structures
operate well in dry conditions and
because of this roads historically have
been built on dry terrain. On those

DRAINAGE
occasions where roads have had to be
built on wet terrain, drainage structures
have usually been designed to keep the
road structures dry.

SYSTEM - traffic safety

-erosion
-reduced bearing capacity in the
subgrade and road structures causing
permanent deformation
 Geotechnical/Soils
- Basic Surface Soil Type
-Rock and Soil
Type:characteristics, formation
and origin
-Bedrock: Depth, Classification
- Seismic Conditions
- Environmental Hazards
-Soil conditions can affect the requirements for
a building foundation and site works — or even
outright disqualify a site!
-The purpose of a soil investigation is to gather
information about the geological conditions of
your site, including the type of soil and rock
formations, the groundwater level, or the
presence of contaminants.
Utilities
- Potable Water
- Electricity
- Gas Utilities often play an energetic role in site selection.
- Telephone One reason is that a business planning to open a new
- Cable television facility needs reliable power at a reasonable price. But
utilities also bring extensive knowledge to the process,
- Sanitary Sewer
along with a refreshing surge of impartiality
Service Very porous soil: May cause you to run into issues when
- Storm Drainage laying the foundation
- Fire Protection Strong slope: With too great of a slope you might
encounter problems with runoff and water corrosion
Immediate Surroundings
- Neighborhood Structures A "good" location for homebuyers usually has transport links, well-
ranked schools, and community involvement
-Shading and Solar Access In terms of accessibility, you should look for a neighborhood near
a city's major transit routes, which has more than one entry point.
- Noise Commuting to and from work is a big part of many people's days,
so a house with easy access to roads and public transportation will
- Odors be more desirable than one tucked away and can only be
accessed by one route. Shady trees, quality landscaping, and
- Views and Vistas nearby parks or community spaces tend to be desirable.
A great neighborhood should also include essential amenities such
as grocery stores, shops, and restaurants. Most people like to
frequent places that are convenient. Research the local public
schools even if you don't have kids or plan to have them. A
reputable public school district can boost an area's home values
and figure into the profit you can realize when you want to sell.
Also, you'll want to attract the greatest number of potential buyers.
Many buyers target neighborhoods with strong public schools..
General Services
Environmental protection – from pollution or
Fire and Police Protection contamination.
When the waste is disposed of efficiently, least
- Trash/Refuse Removal System/Services
amount of the junks reaches the landfills. By
- Snow Removal including on
conserving space in landfills, the production of
-site storage harmful substances is reduced.
Improper waste disposal allows the disease to
proliferate in the environment. Junk and waste are
the perfect hosts for bacteria, and it can grow if the
waste is not disposed of properly. It increases the
risk of disease in humans who come in contact with
the trash.

CULTURAL
FACTORS
Site History

- Former Site Uses: hazardous

dumping, landfill, old foundations,
archeological grounds
- History of Existing Structures:
historic worth, affiliations, outline,
location, floor elevations, type,
condition, use or service
 Land Use, Ownership
and Control
- Present Zoning of Site and Adjacent Property
- Adjacent Surrounding Land Uses: present,
projected, probable effects of development
- Type of Land Ownership
- Function and Pattern of Land Use: urbanized,
farm type, grazing, public domain
- Location, Size and Type of Pertinent Community
Services: school, market, parks, municipal services,
recreational facilities, banks, food services, health
services, access to highways and public
transportation
Economic Value
- Political Jurisdiction - Accepted
Territories
- Future Potential
- Size of Surrounding lots and
approximate price ranges
REGULATORY
FACTORS
Zoning Codes
Permitted Uses: by variance, by special
use permit, accessory structures
- Minimum Site Area Requirements
- Building Height Limits
- Yard/Setback Requirements
- Lot Coverage: Floor-Area Ratio (FAR),
Percentage of Coverage, Open Space
Requirements
- Off-street parking Requirement
- Landscaping Requirements
- Sign Requirements
Subdivision, Site Plan Review, and
Other Local Requirements
- Lot Requirements: size,
configuration, setbacks and percent
coverage
- Street Requirements: width,
geometry, curb and curb cuts, road
construction standards, placement
of utilities, dead end streets,
intersection geometry, sidewalks,
and street names
Drainage Requirements
-Removal of Spring and surface water
- Stream courses
- Lands/areas subject to flooding
- Detention/Retention Ponds
Parks
- Open Space
Requirements
- Park and
Playground
Requirements
- Screening from
adjacent users
Environmental Regulations
- Water, Sewer, recyclables
and solid waste disposal
- Clean Air Requirements
- Soil Conservation
- Protected Areas, wetlands,
floodplains, coastal zones,
wild and scenic areas
- Fish and Wildlife Protection
- Protection of Archeological
Resources
Other Codes and
Requirements
- Historic Preservation and Landmarks
- Architectural/Design Controls
- Special districts
- Miscellaneous: mobile homes, billboard,
noise
- Site Related Items specified in Building
Codes: building separation, parking and
access for persons with disabilities, service
and emergency vehicle access and parking
 References
https://www.wagstaffrogersarch.com/blog/theclient-architect-
relationship#:~:text=The%20architect%20and%20the%20client%20must%20share%20a%20m
utual%20understanding,an%20arbitrary%20idea%20of%20perfection.

https://qdoc.tips/parameters-of-site-selection-rexeldocx-pdf-free.html
https://qdoc.tips/parameters-of-site-selection-rexeldocx-pdf-free.html?
fbclid=IwAR0EVS04MD81GlKNwSC_mNtRY65N1055eoJRif-Bi10s0hkMO8fEV6dSr7Q

https://www.gsa.gov/cdnstatic/GSA_Site_Selection_Guide_R2-sY2-i_0Z5RDZ-i34K-pR.pdf