SITE DATA

&
SITE ANALYSIS

Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
LINEAR PROCESS

VARIOUS BACKGROUND
STUDIES/ CASE STUDIES

DESIGN SITE SITE

PROGRAM CRITERION SELECTION

CONTEXT
SENSITIVE SITE SITE
SITE ANALYSIS INVENTORY
PLANNING

Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
 SITE
KNOWING YOUR SITE
INVENTORY

PHYSICAL BIOLOGICAL CULTURAL

ATTRIBUTES ATTRIBUTES ATTRIBUTES

- LAND-USE & TENURE

- LAND-USE
- PARCEL SIZE, SHAPE - ECOLOGICAL
REGULATIONS
& LOCATION COMMUNITIES
- PROPERTY VALUE
- TOPOGRAPHY - TREES
- PUBLIC
- GEOLOGY - WILDLIFE
INFRASTRUCTURE
- HYDROLOGY
- BUILDING &
- SOILS
NEIGHBORHOOD
- CLIMATE
CHARACTER
- NATURAL HAZARDS
- HISTORIC RESOURCES
- SENSORY PERCEPTION

Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

• PARCEL SIZE, SHAPE & LOCATION

-Geographical, political, and functional
context
-Adjacent land uses

ROAD

ROAD

ROAD
Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

• TOPOGRAPHY & SLOPES

In the form of contours and elevations to a
degree of accuracy appropriate to the
proposed development.

•For general planning, general toposheets /

topographic information.
•For detailed site design ,more specific
elevations from aerial or field surveys.

The topographic map provides information

like-
- drainage patterns and problems
- potential on-site and off-site views
- erosion and sedimentation potential
- potential for development.
There are standards categories of slopes related to
suitability for different uses and activities. These standards
are somewhat regional.
A typical slope breakdown might include:
0-2% - Most developable
2-8% - Easily accommodates most categories of
development
8-16% - Some development restrictions; upper limits for
roads and walks
16-24% - Significant restrictions to most development
24%+ - Generally restricted for development

Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
 PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
• GEOLOGY & SOILS
•Soil surveys and specific soil testing
•The subsurface geology is the basis for the
visible landform.
This would help in few information like:
- Bearing capacity to determine suitable locations
for structures and other heavy elements.
-Shallow depth to bedrock may restrict certain
construction options on the basis of cost and
impact of development.
- High water table may limit or restrict some
sanitary sewage options.
-Soils may be important in terms of stability,
suitability for structural foundations, erosion
susceptibility, surface drainage, and soil fertility
to support plant growth.
-Suitability of soils is very much dependent upon
the proposed uses. A site suitable for intensive
structural development may be unsuitable for
recreational activities and vice-versa
• HYDROLOGY
•These data base provide information of flood
data and local flood maps.
•Surface hydrology is an integral part of the
slopes and subsurface drainage systems.
The kinds of information normally indicated
-Determination of watersheds (basically a
system of ridge lines and valleys or drainage
patterns), duration and volume of flow, swales,
streams, standing water, and flood plain
definition.
-Susceptibility to erosion and the problem of
sedimentation to off-site water flow
- It is advisable to avoid disturbing natural
subsurface drainage patterns such as high
water tables which have implications for
locations of structures or excavations.
Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

• CLIMATE • NATURAL HAZARDS

•Climatic factors such as seasonal temperature Regional and the local factors such as
averages, amounts of precipitation etc. •Floods and water logging
• Microclimatic factors refer to variations to the •Cyclones
general climate such as might be created by •Earthquake
topography, plants and vegetation, exposure to •Wildfire
winds, elevation above sea level, and •Drought
relationships to structural elements. •Coastal erosions

-Important for delineating the “opportunities - Important to identify materials and the
and constraints” of a particular site for structural systems and related regulations.
development.
-Slopes are analyzed in relation to solar
orientation to determine “warm” and “cool”
slopes, based on sun exposure.
-Shade and shadow patterns created by
existing vegetation and structures are
important to design in terms of potential
positive or negative impacts for development.
-Plants may be used to ameliorate undesirable
conditions by providing windbreaks, shade, etc

Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
BIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTE
•ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES INTERACTING SPECIES LIVING TOGETHER
HABITAT FRAGMENTATION
•Fragmentation of ecological corridors and
other habitats
- Important to continue Natural corridors in
Landscape esp. riparian corridor
- Maintaining Biodiversity
EXOTIC SPECIES
•Invasive exotic species of flora and fauna
•Natural forest type, native fauna
-Important to stop extinction of species
-Restore degraded communities
-intrinsic ecological benefits of biodiversity
WET –LANDS
• Marine (open ocean and its associated
coastline)
• Estuarine (tidal waters of coastal rivers and,
salty tidal marshes, mangrove swamps, and tidal
flats)
• Riverine (rivers and streams)
• Lacustrine (lakes, reservoirs, and large ponds)
• Palustrine (marshes, wet meadows, fens,
playas, potholes, pocosins, bogs, swamps, and
small shallow ponds)
-Important to preserve Wetlands serve as storage
areas for storm water runoff.
- wetlands are the interface for water movement
above and below ground.
- Norms and regulations applications.
Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
BIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTE

• ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES INTERACTING SPECIES LIVING TOGETHER

VEGETATION
•The existing vegetation patterns and types -A site with extensive mature vegetation would
thru aerial photographs and maps. be less suitable for high-density development
•Detailed plant identification and location of from the standpoint of environmental
specimen plants through field survey character.
-The presence of trees and other plants may on
This information is useful for: the other hand make a site attractive for
- The visual character and spatial definition of certain kinds of development and/or for
a site is impacted by the amount and recreation facilities.
category of vegetation – from ground cover -Spatial enclosure and shading buildings
to canopy, from new growth to mature stands
of trees, etc.
- Vegetation can modify the climate by
providing shade, protecting potential
development winds or by channeling breezes
and creating wind breaks.
-Plant coverage enhances soil stability,
provides an indication of soil conditions (e.g.,
wetlands) and relates to potential wildlife
habitats.

Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
CULTURAL ATTRIBUTE
LAND ASPECTS
LAND-USE & TENURE / OWNERSHIP
These records may include a certified survey
map of the parcel boundaries, a history of
land ownership, and any deed restrictions or
covenants associated with the property.
LAND-USE REGULATIONS
•A site inventory must consider the legal
context for site planning and design decisions.
• Legal context varies widely at the local, the
state or regional, and national scale.
PROPERTY VALUE
• Contextual study which determines the
qualities of a site and its surroundings.
• Value of nearby properties, adjacent street
traffic, and scenic off-site views of the built or
natural environments play major role in
enhancing the value of the property for given
purpose.
PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT IS A COMPLEX ARRAY OF BUILT & OPEN
SPACES and INFRASTRUCTURE
CIRCULATION
•Understanding existing patterns of pedestrian
and vehicle circulation, entries and exits.
- Important to anticipate ‘‘desire lines’’ between
existing and/or proposed.
UTILITIES
•It include other networks for the distribution of
energy and potable water, telecommunications,
and the removal of storm water.
- This information is needed to determine the
locations where the new development will
connect to these systems.
HISTORIC RESOURCES
INCLUDE BRIDGES, BUILDINGS, WALLS, SIGNS, AND MANY OTHER
SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURES OR ELEMENTS BUILT IN PREVIOUS ERAS.
Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
CULTURAL ATTRIBUTE
BUILDING & NEIGHBORHOOD
CHARACTER
• Existing neighborhood patterns—including
local building materials and architectural
Styles to be documented to guide context-
sensitive site planning and architectural
design.
• Typology forming cognitive maps, or mental
images, of the built environment (Kevin Lynch (1960),
in The Image of the City)
-Edges (for example, shorelines, roads, and
hedgerows)
- Paths (for example, streets and walkways)
- Districts (for example, neighborhoods)
- Nodes (for example, entrances, plazas, and street
and walkway intersections)
- Landmarks (for example, unique buildings,
structures, and natural features)
- This typology is particularly useful for
assessing the character and function of the
built environment.
SENSORY PERCEPTION
A UNIQUES NESS WITH WHICH EACH ONE OF US VIEWS THE WORLD;
SMELL, SEE, HEAR
VISIBILITY
• Land-use on adjascent site
• Street, highway; visibility
• Site distance for future development with respect
to views
• Seasonal viewsheds
VISUAL QUALITY
•The visual quality of the site itself, as well as visible
off-site features
-Important to decide desirable and non-desirable
views.
NOISE AND ODORS
•Noise ,in terms of intensity (perceived as loudness)
and frequency (perceived as pitch). Both the
intensity and the duration of noise exposure
•Odors –Bad smell with sites near sources like
industries, services like city STP and WTP or ETP. And
Good smells due to landscape or environmental
aspects.

Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
 SITE
DIAGNOSTIC PROCESS
ANALYSIS

OPPORTUNITIES CONSTRAINTS

An inventory and interpretation of site characteristics and its

relationship to the adjoining land to provide determinants of
form, constraints and opportunities for the location of built
forms and corresponding un built spaces.

Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
Topographic survey

• Bench marks
• Contour lines
• Water bodies
• Tree groves

Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
 Site analysis
map
• Good/disturbed views
• Surrounding condition
and accessibility
condition
• Existing vegetation and
land uses evaluation
• Restrictions and
regulations related to
site.
• Utility supply.
Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
Schematic
plan
• Proposed uses with
approximate scale.
• Proposed of site
developing (i.e.
grading, flood
protection)
• Proposed of keeping
or moving existing
bldg.
• Proposed of
circulation order.

Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
 Conceptual
Site plan

• Design
development
plan

Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
 SITE PLANNING
Process of synthesis of all the knowledge of the site

•SITE RELATED ISSUES, •ANALYSIS OF DESIGN

CONSTRAINTS AND PROGRAMME
PARAMETERS

STRENGHTS SPACES
WEAKNESSES INTERDEPENDENCE
OPPORTUNITIES CONNECTIVITY
THREATS

LOCATION AND PROFILE OF BUILT AND UN BUILT

SPACES WITH CIRCULATION, CONNECTIVITY AND
ACCESSABILITY.
Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta
Sources:
• SITE ANALYSIS : James LaGro Jr
• LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE : John Ormsbee
Simonds & Barry W. Starke
• Google images

Site Analysis
Ar.Smita Gupta