LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION

CIRCULATION IN LANDSCAPE
Circulation and spatial management is import for efficiency, connectivity and defines how we use and move within
the landscape.  Design with flow and circulation creates a more balanced and versatile landscape.  Create a sense
of discovery with movement through a space.  Have destinations and reward  the viewer with surprise, discovery
and a new perspective to heighten the experience.  Creating spaces with specific functions and purpose will result
in a greater a more balanced use of the space. Character, nature and speed of movement at which we flow is
influenced by the circulation path. The design of path of movement is important because it enhances experience,
perception and understanding.

CHARACTER OF FLOW:
The specific character of movement affects not only our mood as we traverse the landscape, but also the images
we receive. As we peruse the line characters and imagine along these lines, our perception would differ based upon
the character of the flow.
 Angular

Meandering

NATURE OF FLOW
In addition to character of line movement, nature also affects our perception of place.
Ascent Descent
Rhythmic

Dendritic: Coalescing Dendritic: Dispersing Rhythmic: Intersecting

 Relaxed flow
RATE OF FLOW
Our perception of place changes with rate at
which we move. Moving quickly, we are
relatively unaware on details but we do
when we move slowly.
Relaxed flow
CONSIDERATION IN MOVEMENT Accelerated
flow
1. Distance as friction
2. Positive qualities of distance
3. Space modulation
4. Conditioned perception
5. Sequence
6. The ordered approach

NONMOTORIZED FACILITY STANDARDS

A. GENERAL STANDARD: Non-motorized routes should be designed to serve walkers, joggers, and cyclists and
other non-motorized forms of transportation and connect activity centers such as parks, schools, commercial
centers, libraries and high density housing and the regional recreational trail system.
B. PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLINES: Pedestrian Friendliness should be improved by creating or improving intersections
with pedestrian elements on bounding circulation Facilities. This might include signalized intersections, medians
in unneeded turn lanes or lane width, pedestrian refuges, or signal timing.
C. SIDEWALK WIDTH: Provide wider sidewalks and pedestrian facilities where there is likely to be more activity,
such as adjacent to retail, restaurants, gathering spaces.
D. PEDESTRIAN ROUTES: Pedestrian routes should be continuous and be consistent with the Circulation Facility
type and site location. For instance, curb ramps should be in line with the route of pedestrian travel,
pedestrians should not have to randomly switch sides of the road. Open, low fences may be constructed at the
outside edge of pedestrian circulation facilities, such as a trail border or sidewalk. Fences may not be located
within required landscape.
PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS:

The design of pedestrian crossings should elevate pedestrian travel equal to vehicular travel. Pedestrian routes shall
maintain a generally direct route. The following methods should be used.
1. Minimize the distance pedestrians have to cross vehicular circulation areas. Techniques might include bulb outs,
medians, refuges, or special treatments and enhancements at intersections, mid-block, or other pedestrian crossings.

2. Where pedestrian-only circulation facilities, such as trails, cross vehicular circulation facilities, the crossing shall be
designed to draw the driver’s attention to the possible presence of pedestrians. For example, these crossing might use
pedestrian tables, changes in material (e.g. concrete, pavers; not solely paint or striping). Raised crosswalks shall not
be used.
3. A crosswalk composed of materials that are permanent and visually distinctive from parking lot paving, including
but not limited to materials or techniques such as concrete, aggregate, paving stones, and pavement imprinting, shall
be required whenever a walkway crosses any driveway or paved area accessible to vehicles.
4. Where pedestrian facilities cross driveways, alleys, autocourts, drop-off areas, and similar secondary vehicular
facilities, all grade transition shall occur in the planter strip area and outside of the sidewalk area or pedestrian route.
The sidewalk or trail shall be continuous, with no perceived grade change.

BICYCLE CIRCULATION SYSTEM: Incrementally create a comprehensive, safe and continuous bicycle circulation
system in accordance with the Nonmotorized Routes and Parks Map in the Central Issaquah Plan.

A. BIKE RAILS: Provide bike rails where bicyclists will reasonably need to include stairs in their bike route
 HARDSCAPING ELEMENTS - BASED ON FUNCTIONS

SEPARATING
FURNISHINGS
ELEMENTS
LINKAGES
Seating
Planter boxes/
SPECIAL SURFACES Bridges
Flower pots
Dustbins
Paving Steps
Fence, walls/
Signage
retaining walls
Ramps
Lighting
Balustrades
A. PAVING: Indicates direction by using suitable, comfortable surfaces for pedestrian, compared to surfaces of other
area. Differentiates access to vehicles and pedestrian movement by using different surface finishes. At junctions or
meeting points, different material or levels can be adopted to indicate danger. Used as a focal point for temporary
stopping. Paving materials should be cost- effective and easy to maintain, safe and sound. Rough finishes prevent
slipping. Some materials with rough finish could reduce and absorb noise sources. Dark coloured surface finishes
absorb light. Design pattern should make use of existing related pattern and arrangement. Scale and contrast can be
used to differentiate various new patterns.
Sustainable Pavement materials are Pervious concrete (porous concrete, permeable concrete, no fines concrete and
porous pavement), Porous Asphalt In driveways, Pavers Grass et.,

B. LINKAGES: Linkages or circulation systems are a combination of linear connectors circulation paths, traffic
generators and events along the connectors like entrances, bridges, steps and gateways.

1. BRIDGES: Link access from one place to another. Helps to avoid dangerous or disturbing element and to provide
aesthetic value to landscape design. Should be easy to use. Safe to build. Located at suitable areas without causing
damages. Design should consider safety and comfort at prime factors. Material should be durable, weatherproof and
vandal proof. An alternative route for users should be provided during maintenance to avoid mischief.

2. STEPS: Steps Link areas of different levels and indicate access. Normally use uniform steps and avoid any design
that can cause tiredness or discomfort with well- thought safety precautions. Landing should be provided for high
staircases.

3. RAMPS: An inclined plane, also known as a ramp, is a flat supporting surface tilted at an angle, with one end higher
than the other, used as an aid for raising or lowering a load. The inclined plane is one of the six classical simple
machines defined by Renaissance scientists.
• Inclined planes are widely used in the form of loading ramps to load and unload goods on trucks, ships, and planes.
• Wheelchair ramps are used to allow people in wheelchairs to get over vertical obstacles without exceeding their
strength.
• pedestrian paths and sidewalks have gentle ramps to limit their slope, to ensure that pedestrians can keep traction
• Inclined planes are also used as entertainment for people to slide down in a controlled way, in playground slides,
water slides, ski slopes and skateboard parks.
C. FURNISHINGS: Structures that are added to spaces, to enhance and complete the spaces like seating, dustbin,
signage, lighting, sculptures, and kiosk.

1. SEATING: Seating Attract and highlight some garden design. Used for relaxed viewing the surrounding or reading
books or similar such activities. Seating design is normally based on the garden design concept. Comfort is the main
criteria in design. Design should avoid intricate corners or spaces. Scale or size should be able to accommodate load as
well as relate to the surrounding landscape scale. Materials used should be easily cleaned or painted. Structure of
materials should be durable. Construction and maintenance costs should compliment the surrounding construction cost
and landscape design. Modern and traditional materials can be chosen based on the context whether they are to be
used in an urban or rural area. Seating could be accommodated under big trees (large canopy/ foliage) near covered
buildings, next to a wall or plants sheltered from sunlight, and windy areas not obstructed by other landscape elements.
Select places for seating having good and have pleasant views.

DUSTBIN: Dustbin should have easy access for garbage disposal and collection. There are different types of dustbins like
wall mounted, free standing, removable, big sized where population is high. Located near pedestrian access with other
facilities such as toilets and recreation area, where people gathers, picnic or relax. Not located too close to each other to
avoid bad odour or flies or bad view. Design and material depends on location, method of collection, relationship to the
surrounding landscape elements and capacity. Galvanized sheet metal, aluminum, timber, fiber- glass and concrete are
normally used.

SIGNAGE: All signage should have standardized design, colour and lettering. Located at an appropriate place. Should be
of suitable size to convey information. Should not obstruct aesthetic value of other elements. Type of information
usually conveyed through signage is: preventive, prohibitive, warning, and general. Materials used depends on cost,
design, durability, and maintenance. Sign placement: Signs must be placed to avoid urban clutter while allowing the
motorist enough time to make decisions. Vehicular signs should never be closer than 75 feet from an intersection to give
the motorist more decision- making time and to avoid conflicts with traffic signals and signs at the corner.

LIGHTING: Meant to illuminate dark and insecure areas. Illuminates and enhances a focal element or dangerous objects.
Provides suitable mood for occasions. Safety and comfort are prime factors in choosing material. Material should be
durable, vandal proof and weather proof. Maintenance should be safe and easy. Three types- Roads and highways
lighting, Pedestrians lighting, ad Decorative lighting. Down facing lamps Stake mounted spotlights or in- ground lamps.
SEPARATING ELEMENTS:

FENCE, WALLS/ RETAINING WALLS: It Provides spaces or divide areas of

ownership and helps to block unpleasant view and odour. It also gives
security from intruders and prevents soil erosions.

PLANT ELEMENTS:
Planter box/ Flower pots:
The design is determined by the plant used and its surroundings. Drainage
holes are essential. In close proximity to sufficient light, absorb noise, purify
air or bad odour. It requires good quality container. It is used when soil is
unsuitable for planting. It helps in subdividing spaces into different areas
and can be arranged to show access or directions.

HEDGES: Hedge plants define boundaries, divide areas of your property and
provide privacy when needed. They can be used low to the ground as
dividers or borders. It can also be deciduous flowering perennial shrubs
that flower.

PLANT BEDS: They are a small patch of garden area raised with the use of a
small perimeter wall. They are very easy to maintain and they drain well. It
also prevents people from walking over the shrubs and defines the garden
space.

A TERRACE GARDEN: It is a garden on the roof of a building. Besides the

decorative benefit, roof plantings may provide food, temperature control,
hydrological benefits and in large scale it may even have ecological
benefits. Terrace gardens require constant care of soil and maintenance and
increased strength of roof to hold the eight of soil and plants.
WATER ELEMENTS:
A pond creates a place of varieties of activities. Depending on its
scale a small pond creates a place of interaction and a bigger
one can make for a place for relaxation and fun games. Or it can
be a small, clean, clear, empty body of water—simply there for
reflection and pleasure.

Hot tubs and swimming pools are built more for relaxation and
entertaining than for aesthetics. Its main function is to entertain
a homeowner, family, and friends . They are used in private land.

Fountains create soothing effect by its aesthetics and also the

sound. The movement of water can be explored in various ways.
It can also act as a node in the circulation or the central
ornamental piece.

Streams are small channels with flowing water. A stream can be

used where one wishes to have people experiencing water
element in public with a certain distance from others. Although
it doesn’t consume great extent of area it creates a large
perimeter of water and activates the space by the virtue of it
dynamic nature of flowing water. The speed of flow and the
slopes created spurr different levels of activeness.

Waterfalls are used to create excitement. It often invites physical

activities. The aspect of sound of water falls brings stimulation of
olfactory senses. The sound aspect can be designed with varying
heights, slopes, textures and arrangement of the falls. Water
falls creates a very immersive experience and adds a great value
but it is restricted to the opportunities offered by the contours
of site.