INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
THAPATHALI CAMPUS

A REPORT ON
STUDY OF PLANTS AROUND MADHYAPUR THIMI

SUBMITTED TO:
AR. YAM RAI
Department of Architecture
Thapathali Campus
Tribhuvan University

SUBMITTED BY:
Srijana Goja Shrestha (2071/B-Arch./543)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to sincere thanks to respected Ar. Yam Rai for providing us this opportunity of
doing this research project. This study has been real helpful in learning about types of
vegetation found in Madhyapur Thimi and its importance in the landscape.
- Srijana Goja Shrestha
(071/Barch/543)
Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................... 2
CHAPTER- 1: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1
1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY ........................................................................... 1
1.2. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY .................................................................................. 1
1.3. STUDY METHODE ................................................................................................... 1
CHAPTER- 2: LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................. 2
2.1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 2
CHAPTER- 3 STUDY OF PLANT AT MADHYAPUR THIMI ............................................. 6
3.1. PEEPAL TREE ............................................................................................................ 7
3.2. PINE TREE .................................................................................................................. 8
3.3 HEDGE ....................................................................................................................... 9
3.4 ROSE .......................................................................................................................... 9
3.4. INFERENCE........................................................................................................... 10
CHAPTER- 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Exploring or identifying the types of plant present in the site helps to study about its effects on
local climates. Local plants are more ecofriendly and less management. The most important
benefit that your landscape design can have on the environment is to foster healthy ecosystems
and enhance biodiversity. Before choosing type of vegetation for landscaping, study of native
vegetation need to be done and study of landscape’s soil, climate and water condition.
Vegetation strongly affects soil characteristics, including soil volume, chemistry and texture,
which feedback to affect various vegetation characteristics, including productivity and
structure. Native plants work in harmony with the existing community of wildlife and
microorganisms that help keep each other in balance.

Landscape architecture
Landscape architecture may be defined as 'the art of composing landform, water,
vegetation, buildings, paving and climate to make good outdoor space'. Similarly, the
elements of architecture are walls, floors, roofs, ceilings and apertures, while the aims
of architecture are to create places with commodity, firmness and delight. The work of
landscape architects touches the design of outdoor public areas, landmarks and
structures. The goal is to achieve environmental, social or aesthetically pleasing
spaces by investigating existing social, ecological and geological conditions in the
landscape. The work of landscape architects is all around us in the form and function
of the land: the work often touches on urban design, site planning, storm water
management, urban planning, restoration, parks and recreation planning, green
infrastructure planning and private or residential master planning and design.

1.2. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

 To study importance of native vegetation in landscaping.
 To find out different type of vegetation found in site.
 To find impact of vegetation in micro climate.

1.3. STUDY METHODE

For the methodology of study, research method is applied along with site visit.

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CHAPTER- 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. INTRODUCTION

Vegetation
A living organism of the kind exemplified by trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and mosses,
typically growing in a permanent site, absorbing water and inorganic substances through its
roots, and synthesizing nutrients in its leaves by photosynthesis using the green pigment
chlorophyll.
Vegetation has the ability to reduce excessive air temperature through sunlight interception. Its
geometric configuration influences the amount of solar radiation, air temperature, humidity and
wind velocity on microclimate of a given area. Different types of plants are trees, shrubs,
climbers, herbaceous perennials, annuals, biennials, bulbous plants, Indoor/ live plants, lawn
grasses.

Plant as architecture
Plants with respect to architecture can perform two roles. They can complement and reinforce
the existing architecture of the house or structure, and they can create outdoor rooms. Trees,
shrubs and ground covers can be used to emphasize the desirable architectural lines and masses
of the house. The form and branching pattern of particular trees and shrubs can echo the
vertical, horizontal and diagonal roof and wall lines of a house. Thus, a pleasing, unifies and
harmonious appearance can result. Texture, form and size are the physical characteristics of
plants that provide interest, variety and aesthetic appeal to a landscape.

Groups of plant form

 Trees
 Shrubs
 Ground cover

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Functional Uses of Plants
• Considering the functional use of plants is a new approach to solving landscape problems.
Traditionally, plants have been used for beautification due to their aesthetic qualities. The
expression "functional use of plants" helps to explain that plants can perform other functions
in the landscape and still beautify.
• Plants have horticultural characteristics such as height and spread, branching habit, flowers,
fruit, and foliage; they have design qualities such as form, colour, texture, and mass and they
have cultural requirements for growth in the landscape.

Plants as a Noise Barrier

• Plants can be used functionally to solve some of the environmental problems the homeowner
may have on the property. This may include the need for privacy, protection from glare or
direct sunlight into windows, or shade on a patio. A thick row of high shrubs bordering a road
can reduce noise and prevent litter from entering a yard, or perhaps screen an unpleasant view
such as a shopping center or row of buildings.

Plants Used for Climate Control

• For climate control, deciduous shade trees might be used to screen the hot summer sun or in
winter permit the solar radiation to penetrate to the ground, or to the walls and windows of a
building.
• Large shrubs can serve as windbreaks to reduce wind velocities.
• Changes in solar radiation or light levels are also possible with shading.

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 USE OF DECIDUOUS PLANTS TO
DIRECT SUMMER BREEZES TREES CONTROLS SOLAR RADIATION

Architectural Uses of Plants

• Plants can be used to form walls, canopies, or floors by taking advantage of their different
growth habits and foliage characteristics. A stand of trees or shrubs can create walls to filter or
block views, or a canopy of tree branches can provide a sense of shelter. Ground cover planting
with uniform foliage and textural characteristics can present the feeling of an architectural
floor. Plants can also define a boundary.

Aesthetic Uses of Plants

• The aesthetic functions of plants are the easiest to understand. Plants traditionally have been
used for beautification; unfortunately, most people think this is the only reason to landscape
with plants.
• Aesthetically, plants can become a piece of living sculpture. When placed against a plain wall
or fence, they create an interesting shadow pattern of branches and leaves. Plants can be used
as background for other plantings, or arranged to provide visual coherence to unrelated objects
or structures. They provide suitable environments for birds and other wildlife.
• Plants may be used for diverse purposes in the modern landscape. Rarely should plants be
simply ornamental; rather, they should serve multiple roles, making the modern landscape both
attractive and functional.

Landscape element
1. Hard landscape element
2. Soft landscape element

1. Hard landscape element

Hardscaping allows the formation of man-made landscaping features that would otherwise
be impossible due to soil erosion, some that compensate for large amounts of human traffic
that would cause wear on bare earth or grass.

a) Pavement
b) Fence
c) Retaining wall
d) Benches

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 e) Arbor Pavement

Wall Arbor
Benches
Benches Benches
2. Soft landscape element
Soft landscape is used in landscape design, landscape architecture, and garden design; and
gardeners to describe the vegetative materials which are used to improve a landscape by
design.
a) Tree
b) Shrubs
c) Ground cover

Shrubs Ground cover

Trees

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CHAPTER- 3 STUDY OF PLANT AT MADHYAPUR THIMI

Site is locate in Madhyapur Thimi connected with Araniko highway in south. Existing site is
in elevated land and known as Bandevi Park consisting different kind of natural vegetation.
Site is also famous for religious activities with temples.

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3.1. PEEPAL TREE

Peepal tree is Ficus religiosa is also known as the bodhi tree,[4] pippala tree, peepul
tree,[2] peepal tree or ashwattha tree. Peepal tree is religiously important tree in Buddhism
and in Hindu religion. It is used as chautari(seating space) and for worshiping in the existing
site.
Young peepal needs proper nourishment. It requires full sunlight and proper watering. They
prefer full sunlight and can grow in most soil types, though loam is the best. When planting,
use soil with a pH of 7 or below. While it is possible for the plant to grow indoors in a pot, it
grows best outside.

Uses
The peepal is used extensively in Ayurveda. Its bark yields the tannin used in treating leather.
Its leaves, when heated in ghee, are applied to cure wounds. Scientific research suggests that
the Peepal tree is best antidote to all kinds of pollution, specifically, water pollution, air
pollution and noise pollution. It is said that this tree emits oxygen at night also. It is one of
those few species which can thrive well on rocky outcrops. It is also recommended for planting
around water bodies. The high content of calcium in its leaves helps in purification of water.
Once established, it registers fast growth above and below ground; its roots holding on to rock
and making inroads facilitating percolation of water and its crown spreading to intercept
maximum sunlight. Interestingly, the green Coracious (leathery) leaves of Peepal absorb
moisture from the atmosphere but retard evapotranspiration. That could be the reason why the
Peepal appears green and its crown dense and full even under scorching heat. Thereby it also
helps in regulating the hydrological cycle in nature".

Peepal tree

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3.2. PINE TREE

A pine tree or a pine is a tall tree which has very thin, sharp leaves and a fresh smell. Pine trees
have leaves all year round. This pine tree can reach 35 metres in height, with a wide crown of
branches. The bark is orange-red, thick and deeply fissured at the base of the trunk, and thin
and flaky in the upper crown. The leaves (needles) are slender and light green in color. The
cones are upright, symmetrical and are 6-10 cm long.
Uses
a) Pines are among the most commercially important tree species valued for their timber
and wood pulp throughout the world.
b) Pine wood is widely used in high-value carpentry items such as furniture, window
frames, paneling, floors, and roofing, and the resin of some species is an important
source of turpentine. Because pines have no insect- or decay-resistant qualities after
logging, they are generally recommended for construction purposes as indoor use only
(indoor drywall framing, for example). Left outside, pine wood can be expected to last
no more than 12–18 months depending on the local climate.
c) Many pine species make attractive ornamental plantings for parks and
larger gardens with a variety of dwarf cultivars being suitable for smaller spaces. Pines
are also commercially grown and harvested for Christmas trees. Pine cones, the largest
and most durable of all conifer cones, are craft favorites.

Pine trees

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3.3 HEDGE

Hedge

Evergreen deciduous hedge use as shrub as alternative for fence or wall. Hedges through the
ages have constituted many things to many people – design, luxuriance, privacy, colour, contrast
– even a device to create anticipation.

3.4 ROSE

Rose

Roses are best known as ornamental plants grown for their flowers in the garden and sometimes
indoors. Some are used as landscape plants, for hedging and for other utilitarian purposes such
as game cover. Roses are a popular crop for both domestic and commercial cut flowers and
perfumes are made from attar of roses or rose oil.

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3.4. INFERENCE

Study of local plants of the site helps me to:

 identify the micro climate of the area and role of plant in climate
 seasonal characteristics and its use
 importance of native plant in landscape
 growth of different plants

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