INTRODUCTION TO SITE PLANNING

WHAT IS PLANNING?
- It is a basic human activity that persuades human behavior at every level of society.
- It is a process of determining appropriate future actions through a sequence of choices.
- A control for future actions and/or implementing procedures.

Planning (also called Forethought) is the process of thinking about and organizing the activities
required to achieve a desired goal. It involves the creation and maintenance of a plan, such as
psychological aspects that require conceptual skills. There are even a couple of tests to
measure someones capability of planning well. As such, planning is a fundamental property of
intelligent behavior.

Also, planning has a specific process and is necessary for multiple occupations (particularly in
fields such as management, business, etc.). In each field there are different types of plans that
help companies achieve efficiency and effectiveness. An important, often ignored aspect of
planning, is the relationship it holds to forecasting. Forecasting can be described as predicting
what the future will look like, whereas Planning predicts what the future should look like for
multiple events. Planning combines forecasting with preparation of events and how to react to
them.

Planning is one of the most important project management and time management techniques.
Planning is preparing a sequence of action steps to achieve some specific goal. If a person does
it effectively, he can reduce much the necessary time and effort of achieving the goal. A
plan is like a MAP. When following a plan, he can always see how much he has progressed
towards his project goal and how far he is from his destination.
BASIC PROCESS in SITE PLANNING:

1. Understanding of the persons for whom the Site is being planned and a definition of what
their role will be in creating ideas and in decision making of the features of the plan.
(needs, user requirements and criteria, design brief, etc.)

2. Analysis of the situation: a study of the Site itself and also the whole structure of POWER,
VALUE, and TECHNOLOGY within which the work must be carried out.

POWER utilities such as water, electrical and mechanical

VALUE human values, traditions and cultures, aesthetic behaviors
TECHNOLOGY structural, landscaping, zoning and building codes

3. Limitation Analysis: Costs, Climatic Factors, Structural Restrictions, Land Use and
Zoning, Local Building Codes and restrictions.

4. Design Layout and Formulation of Alternatives.

5. Investigations, Evaluations, and Refinements (repeating the process from 1 4).

6. Decision Making and Final Plan Executions.

7. Plan Implementations.

8. Feedbacks, Modifications and Recommendations.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF PLANNING in ARCHITECTURE

1. PHYSICAL PLANNING determination of the spatial distribution of goals, objects,

functions and activities in urban areas.

Goals economics and social development, public safety and security, etc.
Objects buildings, parks, trees, road networks and streets, sewer and drainage lines, etc.
Functions sanitation services, utilities, transportations, education, etc.
Activities residential, commercial, factories, institutional etc.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING created with the principle of creating a settlement that

is in harmony with its natural surrounding and providing a healthful environment for man.
3. LAND USE PLANNING a plan that deals with the issues and arrangement of Land,
Labor and Capital, and their implications on development.

Zoning is the main component of a Land Use Plan that is a form of a Regulatory behavior
in which a city is divided into various districts (zones), each of which has an associated
set of restrictions governing the way the land may be used.

4. COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING / MASTER PLANNING a long term plan, about 20-30

years for the overall physical development of an entire city, organizing and directing the
social, economic, political and physical forces within such in a rational and productive
manner.
WHAT IS SITE PLANNING?

It is the art of arranging structures on the land and shaping the spaces between.
by Kevin Lynch, American urban planner and author

- Generally refers to the development of a given Lot with respect to the positions and layout
of buildings and landscaping features, driveways, parking areas, and other site integral
parts in accordance to function and aesthetics.

- It is an art of arranging buildings and other structures on the site or land in harmony with
the Physical Landscape and to support human activities and behaviours.

- Usually given priority in the development of Architectural projects because it controls the
position of building entrances. This is particularly significant in large projects involving
many buildings, or in irregularly shaped lots.

Motives that influences to do Site Planning in Architectural Design:

1. Economic advantage for large scale developments and projects.
2. More rapid evolution of Technology, therefore more rapid evolution also in design
techniques.
3. Growing complexity of site facilities.
4. Adequate possibilities of comprehensive and complex design environments.

Two methods in establishing a SITE:

a. Site Selection process this process selects from a lists of potential sites that best
suites the given use and requirements of a certain project.
b. Development Suitability Process this process selects the best possible use and
development suited for a given site.
Process that are involved in Site Analysis:

The site design process is divided up into three sections; Research phase, Analysis phase,
and Synthesis phase. These three phases are divided into the eight chronological steps in the
design process.

a. Research phase: The first step is defining the problem and its definition. This is part
of the research phase. The site design and site planning process begins with the initial
problem to be solved. This is started by a client contracting a planner to work with a
particular site.

b. Analysis phase: The next step involves programming the site as well as site and user
analysis, which is focused on in-depth below. There are numerous site elements
related to the analysis during this phase. This is part of the analysis phase in site
planning.

c. Synthesis phase: From the analysis, a program is developed, which is part of the
synthesis phase. The third step deals with schematic design of a site plan as well as a
preliminary cost estimate for the site. Step four involves more developed designs and
a detailed cost estimate. Step five is the construction documents or the plan. Bidding
and contracting for the project follows as step six. Construction then will take place as
step seven. The final step, step eight, in the site design process is occupation and
management of the site.
Factors that are involved in Site Analysis:

a. NATURAL FACTORS
1. Geology the branch of science that deals with the composition of earth, the
processes that shaped its surface, and its history.

3 common rocks:
a. Igneous rocks rocks produced by crystallization from a liquid.
b. Sedimentary rocks formed when igneous rocks are exposed to surface and
weathering and reduces them to small particles and are moved by erosion then
are deposited in layers into rivers and oceans.
c. Metamorphosed rocks when sedimentary rocks are pushed to deeper levels
of earth, they transform into metamorphosed rocks due to changes in pressure
and temperature.

Igneous rocks Sedimentary rocks

2. Geomorphology the branch of geology that deals with the origin, nature and
distribution of landforms.

In architecture, when designing a piece of property or site for architectural site

planning, landscaping or even structural purposes, it is essential for the site
planner to approach first the nature of the land or site, particularly it FORM,
SLOPE, and its capabilities for SURFACE and SUBSURFACE DISCHARGE OF
WATER, for supporting vertical and horizontal structures and also for resisting soil
erosions.

Basic Geomorphologic Information used in Site Planning:

a. Soil Properties
- in site planning, it is important to establish the relationship between soil
composition and land uses, other than agriculture. Soil surveys help guide in
site selection either for residential, industrial, commercial, or other forms of site
development that involves surface and subsurface structures.

Features to describe soil properties for site planning:

1. Composition refers to the organic or inorganic materials that makes

up the soil.

a. Mineral Particles comprises 50% to 80% of the volume of the soil

and forms the main skeletal structure of the soil.
sand and gravel particles provide for the greatest
stability usually for yield and relative soil bearing
capacity.
 b. Organic Matter varies randomly in soils and usually imposes a
limitation to any building or structure. Organic
matter is important only for soil fertility, moisture
absorption or retention and for landscaping.

c. Water its content varies with particle sizes, local drainage,

topography and climate. Most water occupies the space
between particles but only in organic soils do the particles
themselves absorb measurable amounts of water.

d. Air this occupies the remaining space that is not occupied by

water.

2. Texture is the term used to describe the composite size of particles in

a soil sample.
b. Drainage refers to the soils ability to transfer water downward by gravity.

Systems involved in transfer of water:

a. INFLITRATION the rate at which water penetrates the surface of the
soil which is usually measured in centimeters or
inches per hour.

b. PERMEABILITY the rate at which water within the soil moves through a
given volume of material and also measured in
centimeters or inches per hour.

c. PERCOLATION the rate at which water in soil pit or pipe within the soil
is taken up by the soil, used mainly in waste water
absorption tests and also measured in inches per hour.

Poor drainage means that gravity water is not readily transmitted by the
soil, therefore the soil is frequently or permanently saturated and may have
water standing on it caused by the following:
1. The local accumulation of water.
2. A rise in the level of groundwater within the soil.
3. The size of the particles in the soil being too small to transmit infiltration
water.

c. Topography and Slope Analysis understanding slope forms for site design
requires understanding of local geologic, soil,
hydrologic and vegetative conditions.
 BASIC SLOPE FORMS
Angle of Repose the angle at which soil can be safely inclined and beyond
which it will fail.

Topographic Map a map of the portion of the earth that describes the shape of the
earths surface by contour lines.

- an imaginary line
joining points of
equal
elevation on a
surface
 .
Slope Analysis an important analytical process made on a topographic map that
makes a proper match between land uses and slopes and then
produces an overall pattern of slopes, which helps a site planner in
determining buildable portions of the site.
d. Soil Erosion when rocks are broken down or weathered down into small
fragments and carried by wind, water, ice, and gravity.

Four (4) factors to consider in determining rates of erosion:

1. Vegetation foliage intercepts raindrops
- organic litter on the ground reduces impact of raindrops.
- roots bind together aggregates of soil particles.
- cover density, in forms of ground cover or tree canopy, decreases
soil loss due to runoff.

2. Soil Type intermediate textures like sand will usually erode first.
- in order to erode clay, the velocity of the runoff should be high
enough to overcome cohesive forces that bind the particles
together.
- similarly, high velocities would be needed to move masses of
pebbles and particles larger than those of sand.

3. Slope Size and Inclination the velocity of runoff is closely related to the slope
of the ground over which it flows.
- Slopes that are both steep and long produce the
greatest erosion because they generate runoff that
is high in velocity and mass.
- Slopes also influences the quantity of runoff since
long slopes collect more rainfall and thus generate
a larger volume of runoff.
 4. Frequency and Intensity of Rainfall Intensive rainfalls produced by
thunderstorms promote the highest rates
of erosion.
Accordingly the incidence of storms plus
total annual rainfall can be reliable
measure of the effectiveness of rainfall in
promoting soil erosion.

3. Vegetation refers to any Plant materials in Site Planning.

Basic Roles of Vegetations in Site Planning:

a. Climatic control
a.1. Solar Radiation refers to the Earths source of light and heat.
Trees are considered one of the best controls for solar radiation
because:
- they block or filter sunlight.
- they cool the air under their canopies providing natural air
conditioning.
a.2 Wind helps to control earths temperature.
when winds are of low velocity, they may be pleasant, but when
velocity increases, it may cause discomfort or damage.
- trees may help to block high velocity winds in urban areas
caused by convection and the Venturi effect
a.3 Precipitation plants help to control precipitation reaching the ground.
by intercepting rain and slowing it down, they aid in moisture
retention, and in the prevention of soil erosion.
- plants also help the soil to retain water by providing shade or
protection from the wind, or by water shedding function of the
roots of trees.

b. Environmental Engineering
b.1 Air Purification plants cleanses air through the process of Photosynthesis
where they use up carbon dioxide emissions and release
oxygen into the air.
- trees also filter out other pollutants like sulphur dioxide,
dusts, pollens and smoke emissions.
b.2 Noise Pollution Plants absorb sound waves through their leaves,
branches, twigs, and especially those with thick fleshy
leaves and thin petals.
It is found out that tree trunks can deflect sounds
which has been estimated that a 100ft. depth of forest
can reduce noise pollution by 21 decibels.

b.3 Glare and Reflections plants reduce glare and reflection caused by
direct sunlight.

A light source received directly produces

primary glare while reflected light is the
secondary glare. Plants may be used to filter or
block glare by use of plants with the
appropriate size, shape, and foliage density.
c. Architectural and Aesthetic Uses
c.1 Space Definition plants can help in several ways: as wall elements to form
outdoor spaces, as canopies to provide shade, or as
ground covers to provide color and texture on the base
plane.

c.2 View Control while trees and shrubs can screen out unwanted views, they
can also provide backdrops for sculptural elements and
fountains. Additionally, they may also provide filtered views of
buildings or spaces, or frame a view, maximizing its effect.
b. CULTURAL FACTORS
1. Transportation and Utilities the relationship of traffic patterns to each other
and to the site must be studied for adequacy of
access and efficiency of circulations within and
outside of the site.
efficient traffic and transportation systems will
result in successful integration of the different
developments within the site.
Access routes must also consider the
pedestrian movements.

1.a Roads provides primary means of access to the Site. Their availability
may be a prime determinants in whether and how a parcel of
land can be developed.

Four(4) Basic categories of Roads:

Local Streets have the lowest capacity and provide direct access to the site.
- they may be in the form continuous grid or curvilinear system or may
be cul-de-sacs or loops.

Collector Streets connects the Local streets and the Arterial streets.
have higher capacity than local streets but are usually not
intended for through traffic.
intersections from collector streets and local streets may be
controlled by stop signs, while arterial streets and collector street
intersections may be controlled by stop lights.
 Collector Streets

Arterial Streets intended as major, continuous circulation routes that carry large
amount of traffic, sometimes in two(2) or three(2) lanes.
usually connects expressways and parking on these streets is
typically not allowed and direct access from arterial streets to
buildings in site should be avoided.
Expressways are limited access roads designed to move large volumes of traffic
between, through, and around populated centres.
intersections through this road are made by various types of ramp
systems, and pedestrian access is not allowed within this road.
have major influences on the land due to the space they will require
and the noise and visual impact it may result.
1.b. Public Transit the availability and location of public transits can influence
site planning and design in a way that the building entrances
and major site features should be located conveniently to the
public transit.
in site analysis, it should include the determination of the
types of public access readily available, whether a bus,
subway, railways, and taxi stops and their location relative to
the site.
1.c Service Access services to a site includes provisions for truck loadings, moving
vans, or daily delivery services.
ideally this should be separated from private vehicles and
pedestrian access to the site or building and space for large truck
turning and loading dock berths needs to be provided.

1.d Utilities this must be determined in terms of the existing availability, location, and
capacity.
the development potential of a site is dependent on the availability of
the necessary utilities of water, sanitary sewers, storm sewers,
telephone, gas, electric services, internet provider and other public
utilities.
2. Density and Zoning

Density in Planning, refers to a data of the population of people per unit land
area. This data will determine whether existing utilities and land areas
will be sufficient to sustain additional future development which will
naturally add to the existing population and bear o the capacity of these
utilities.
it is expressed I number of families or dwelling units per hectare.

Zoning in Planning, main component of a Land Use Plan that is a form of

a Regulatory behaviour in which a city is divided into various
districts (zones), each of which has an associated set of
restrictions governing the way the land may be used.
these restrictions includes the size, location, and type of structures to be
built in specific areas.

Basic regulations under Zoning of a city:

a. The uses allowed on a parcel of land depending on the zoning district.
b. The area of the land that may be covered with buildings.
c. The bulk of the structure or building.
d. The distances of the setbacks of the buildings from the property line.
e. Parking and loading space requirements.

Floor Area Ratio (FAR) this is the ratio of the gross floor area of a building to the area of
the lot it is situated.
this is also used to develop in relation to the setbacks regulated
under zoning ordinances within the location of the site.
 3. Easements and Right-of-Way (ROW)

Easement in architecture, is the Legal Right held by specified persons or the

public to make limited use of the land of another, as a Right-Of-Way.

2 types of Easement:
a. Utility Easement allows a utility company to install and maintain utility lines above
or below the ground within the boundaries of the easement.
no permanent structure can be erected within the easement
without any permission from the authority responsible for the utility
easement.
b. Access Easement this may be granted if one parcel of land is not served by a
public road and another parcel separates it from the street, thus
granting the public and the lot owner of the inaccessible land the
right to cross the street.

c. Support Easement for the construction of common party walls between properties.
d. Joint Easements allows two or more property owners to share a common feature
such as a driveway or scenic areas.

e. Conservation easement limits the land use in large areas, usually used by public
agencies to control land use without the need to purchase
large tracks of property.

Right-Of-Way in architecture, is the legal right of one party or the public to traverse
land belonging to another.
refers to the public land used for streets and sidewalks, wherein its
boundary corresponds to the property line of the adjacent lot owner/s.