Tpl.

Kola Lawal
Department of Urban and Regional Planning,
The Polytechnic, Ibadan
SARP
 SITE ANALYSIS
 Site analysis is a planning and design
activity which involves research,
evaluation, and synthesis of a site’s
characteristics for the purpose of its
sustainable use and development.

 Site analysis enables both on-site and off-

site nature, constraints and opportunities
to be identified and reported to aid site
design and development (White, 1983).



 SARP enhances objective assessment of a site
characteristics since the analysis are usually
accomplished by personnel (Town Planners) other
than those who later do site building design or site
planning (Architects and Site Planners
respectively).
 SARP establishes the development context and
explaining graphically how a proposed
development will
 relate to the immediate surroundings and
 promote development with good design, by ensuring the
proposal recognises the natural and artificial
characteristics of the site and its surrounding area
 minimises negative impacts on the features of adjoining
properties.
 GOAL AND PURPOSES OF SITE ANALYSIS
 Goal
The goal of site analysis is to determine the physical, biological,
cultural and legal issues relating to a site and its surrounding area
for the purpose of benefiting the building and site design process.
It makes the design responsive to the features of the built
environment.

Purposes of Site Analysis

 Gather relevant information about the properties of the site to
influence design
 To promote good design of the built environment by
influencing the design of development to complement
neighbourhood character and minimise negative impacts on
the built environment;
 To facilitate efficient assessment of development applications;
 Avert non-conforming land uses in the built environment.
The principal elements of the site
inventory and evaluation are translated
into a written and graphic summary of
opportunities and constraints. This is
referred to as Site Analysis Report and
Plan (SARP). The SARP includes
verifying and recording collected data
in a series of maps, charts and text
that document all existing conditions,
both within and outside the area.
 SITE ANALYSIS
=
OFF-SITE + ON-SITE
CHARACTERISTICS
 On-Site Conditions. All factors within the
site should be recorded and considered
thoroughly when packaging a development
project. Both existing conditions and future
development within the boundary of a site
being proposed for the development should
be considered.
 Off-Site Conditions. A site development is
influenced by factors adjacent to it. Both
existing conditions and future development
around a site should be of consideration
when packaging a new project
SITE ANALYSIS PROCESS
 SITE INVENTORY

SITE ANALYSIS
 INFORMATION AND INPUTS
REQUIRED FOR SARP
For a large site and complex project, certain
documents and studies are conducted to evaluate
existing conditions. They area;
Location Map - Regional And Neighbourhood
Context Map
Land Survey Plan
Topographic Survey Plan
Geotechnical Survey Report Hydrology Study
Report
Ecological Study Report
 CONTENT AND
INFORMATION TO BE
INCLUDED IN
SITE ANALYSIS REPORT AND
PLAN ( SARP)
Preambles
 Table of Contents, Figures and Tables
 Executive Summary

SECTION ONE : INTRODUCTION

Introduction and purpose
 Background and Planning Context
 Proposed Project and Description - Description of the nature, types and
carrying capacity of the project to be designed
 Goal and Objectives
 Scope of Work
Planning and Regulatory Framework
 Planning Strategies
 Subsisting Policies regarding the proposed project (if any)
 Planning standards and requirements for the nature of proposed
development
 Other approvals and decisions
Site Location Description
 Site Location - Regional and Neighbourhood Context
Fig. 1.1 – Site in its regional context
Fig. 1.2 –Site within its neighbourhood context)
 Size and boundary
Fig. 1.3 –Site survey plan
 Legal Description and Ownership
 Zoning and Land Use
Site Location, Continental, National, City and Local Context Site Location – Neighbourhood Context

Site Location – Regional context

Site Boundary
SECTION TWO : SITE INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS
2.1 PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES OF THE SITE
 Topography and Slope (Fig. 2.1- 2.3 – Site Topography; Cross sections; Slope map – As
applicable)
 Hydrology and Drainage (Fig. 2.4 – Site Drainage and surface water)
 Geology
 Soil Characteristics (Fig. 2.4 – Site soil classification)
 Climate
 Vegetation and Wild Life Habitat
 Archaeological, Cultural and Historic Resources ((Fig. 2.4 – Site soil classification) .
 Visual Survey and Analysis. (Fig. 2.4 – Site visual analysis map)
 Environmental Influences and Possibilities –Hazards, Nuisance,

2.2 CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES OF THE SITE - LAND USES, HOUSING AND

ACCESSIBILITY
 On and Off Site Land Use Characteristics
 Housing Characteristics (The type / conditions of buildings; Density etc)
 Road Network and Accessibility (Traffic and transportation analysis)
 Public Utilities
 Public Services and Infrastructure
Topography and elevation of a site indicating section lines. Slope category and implications on development

Topographic section profiles of the site.

a typical slope map indicating gradients of parts of a site

 Views and Vista of the site
A Typical Hydrology and Drainage Analysis Map

Public Facilities and Infrastructure around the site

Land use pattern around the vicinity of the subject site
Sun Path Study and Analysis of a site Setback Analysis of a site
SECTION THREE: SITE CHARACTERISTICS INTEGRATION
AND SYNTHESIS
3.1 General Site Synthesis and Analysis
 Site Synthesis (Fig. 3.1 – Site Synthesis Plan)
 Opportunities and Constraints Analysis (Fig. 3.2 – Site Opportunities and
Constraints Plan)
 Site Capability and Suitability Classification (Fig. 3.3 – Site capability and suitability
classification)
 Site Carrying Capacity
 Recommendations for Site Design (Fig. 3.4 – Site Analysis Plan)
- Developable Area
- Possible Access Points
- Locations of Site Facilities & Utilities,
- Parking Facilities

SECTION FOUR: RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION

4.1 General Recommendation
4.2 Conclusion
Appendix
Appendix i – Physical Planning site analysis form
Appendix ii – Site sketches (if available)
Appendix iii – Site Photographs (if available)
 Typical Development Constraints
Constraint Examples
Physiographic Steep slopes, highly erodible soils, shallow
barriers and bedrock
Difficult Sites
Ecological wetlands, surface water, critical wildlife
infrastructure habitat
Health or safety Floodplains, earthquake fault zones,
hazards areas susceptible to landslides
Natural resources Prime farmland, sand and gravel deposits,
specimen trees, scenic views
Historic resources Historic buildings, archaeological sites
Legal restrictions Zoning codes, subdivision ordinances,
easements, deed restrictions
Nuisances Noises, odours, unsightly views
typical Site Synthesis with Assets and Constraints
 A Typical Site Synthesis Diagram
Land Use Suitability Analysis Map
Apart from the elements of a map like the tile, scale, north point and a host of others, a site analysis plan
should show the following:
 Water courses, ponds, standing water, rock edges, stone walls; open space to be preserved; and any other
man-made or natural features.
 Existing topographic contours including slope and gradient of different parts of the site, with spot
elevations where necessary.
 Soil and wetland delineation.
 Location of existing buildings and other structures.
 Existing water mains, culverts, drains, sewers;
 Location and amount of frontage on public rights-of-way.
 Location of building setback lines as approved by the planning agency.
 proposed connections or alternative means of providing water supply and disposal of sewage and surface
drainage.
 Location and width of existing and proposed driveways to the site.
 indicate the height and/or levels of adjacent buildings
 identify driveways, access paths, service poles, street trees, kerb crossovers, bus stops and other services
within the site vicinity.
 identify potential constraints that affect building capacity and stability
 Identify optimum location of building and site facilities
 Identify location and number of parking expected.
 identify existing landscaping and views on the site and adjoining sites that creates valuable amenity or
problems such as shadowing, overlooking, overshadowing, existing views, building bulk etc
 identify adjacent noise sources
 identify adjacent heritage places.
 refer to the street’s character such as predominant building setbacks, architectural styles, etc
 and any other vital information as will be explained in subsequent section of this chapter
Recommendations for Site Design
The final analysis expected in a SARP is the section on the
recommendations for site design. It is the section that will
reveal the Town Planner’s recommendations to guide the
design Architects or site planners on the specific issues to be
factored into the design. The recommendations will focus on
such issues as;
 developable area
 nature and type of development permitted on the site
 site carrying capacity and design scope expected
 possible access points to the site
 locations of site facilities and utilities,
 movement pattern expected on the site
 parking facilities and numbers
 special planning standards that should guide the design
 any other issues of special note
A Typical Site Analysis Diagram
Conclusion and Recommendations
This section must include a conclusion based
on the results of the overall site analysis. A
detailed SARP report must include a concise
conclusion that addresses major points, and
highlights issues of concern to the design and
development of the site.
Limitations and constraints of importance to
the shaping of the design should be clearly
identified. However, large amounts of
information already present in the report
should not be repeated in the conclusion.
 PHYSICAL PLANNING SITE
ANALYSIS REPORT AND PLAN
(PPSARP) FORM