A GUIDE TO SITE PLANNING Site Planning Site planning involves arranging structures on the land and shaping spaces

between them. It is an art linked to architecture, and city planning. The site plan locates objects and activities in space and time. It may be concerned with a small cluster of houses, a single building and the surrounding space, or a small community built in a single operation. Environmental Factors Environmental study for architectural design involves collection of data, reconnaissance survey, creative ability and imagination, and the design of solutions to solve building problems. When an architect is given a design assignment, there are many environmental factors that are to be considered. The site is the major factor that has to be considered. Site means the area or the land that is meant for the construction of the proposed project. Site Planning is the art and science of arranging the various portions of a particular piece of land according to their uses. The site planner decides on the uses of the site in detail by selecting and analyzing it for the various characteristics of soil, slope, vegetation, etc. The landscape involves the design of outside space. This should be thought about carefully to make an architectural design complete. The climate at the location at the site is very important as it affects the building that is to be constructed. Services such as water supply, drainage, sanitation, electricity, fire protection, air-conditioning system, etc. also have to be considered in order to make an architectural design complete. Identification of site and its preparation Each site has a unique nature of its own. The purpose for which it is to be used should be clearly understood. Every site when disturbed takes time to experience the mutual adjustment of its elements. For example, the flow of water creates a drainage pattern. Many factors are involved in the analysis of the site. These include the factors above the ground, below the ground and on the ground, as discussed in the following. Natural Factors

Geology Topography-slope analysis Hydrography-streams, lakes, swamps Soil classification of types and uses Vegetation Wildlife Climate factors solar orientation, summer, winter winds, humidity, precipitation

Geology The type of rock below the surface of soil, the depth, and the characteristic features of rock should be identified. Such rocks could act as a foundation for many buildings. These are natural and could form visible landforms. The stability of such geological formations is also important. Topography The form of land is called its topography. This is the most important factor to be analysed. Geology and the slow process of natural erosion (soil being worn away because of wind or water) are responsible for landforms and slopes. A topographic survey will reveal the badly drained areas and natural drainage channels. It will be also reveal places that have good views and parts of the site that are visible or hidden from any selected point outside the site. The slopes will decide the roads and paths; a steep slope will increase building costs. Hydrography Hydrography provides information about all types of water bodies present in and around the site: lakes, streams, any marshy land(swamps), or natural wells. It also reveals the availability or otherwise of a groundwater table and the depth at which it is available. Soil The different types of soil present are analysed. Soil decides the stability of land, foundation, suitability, excavation, erosion, drainage, and plant growth(as the top soil is essential for good plant growth). The bearing capacity of soil is an important factor to be considered while locating buildings. Vegetation

A study of vegetation helps in locating large existing trees, which can be retained. These can be used for providing seating. The ecology of the area should also be examined to know what plants or shrubs would grow in that area. Wildlife This is an important consideration when choosing sites for parks and recreation. Fishing and hunting are major recreational activities. The selection of land suitable for such activities depends on natural wildlife present in the area. Wildlife also adds form, colour and movement to the landscape. One might also want to be informed about the wildlife present in the area to preserve it and not disturb the animals natural habitats due to the construction. Climatic Factors Across a piece of land, the elevation difference, character of topography, vegetation cover, and water bodies influence the climate of that area. On the other hand, precipitation and temperature are the major factors affecting vegetation. In cool and temperate climates, vegetation may be used to block winter winds. Cultural Factors

Existing land use ownership of adjacent property and off-site nuisance Linkages Traffic and transit-vehicular and pedestrian circulation on or adjacent to site. Density and floor area ratio Utilities sanitation , water, gas, electricity, stormwater drainage. Existing buildings Historic factors historic buildings and landmarks.

Existing land use This implies a survey of the present status of the land-whether it is residential, commercial, industrial or recreational. The ownership of the adjacent site will also affect the land being surveyed. Offsite nuisances: Disturbances from outside and around the site have to be studied. Visual nuisance elements: Power lines, water tower, certain industrial complexes, highways, advertisement boards, junkyards(waste dumps), etc., are some examples of eye-sore elements that have to be taken into account. Possible auditory nuisance: Noise produced by heavy automobiles, trains, air traffic etc. and the surrounding population has to be studied. Olfactory nuisance: Dumps, chemicals, other wastes in and around the site have to be taken care of. Safety Hazards: Severe or sudden changes in landform, such as a steep cliff at the edge of the sit have to be noted. GUIDE TO SITE DOCUMENTATION AND SITE ANALYSIS Site documentation and analysis | green infrastructure design Involve connectivities (Airport, Bus stop, study of roads, road widening, Bus service, train service etc) Site and surroundings Three important aspects are to be considered while analysing the surroundings of the site. 1. 2. 3. Zoning (Agricultural, Industrial, residential, commercial , recreational etc) Neighbourhood Analysis Natural elements present in the site surroundings (Vegetation, rocks, river etc)

Analysis of Services in and around site 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Electricity lines Drainage lines Telephone lines Cable lines Postal services

Contour Analysis is very important for efficient site planning. Contour Analysis helps in determining the slope of the site which proves to be an important factor for site planning. Recording the flora fauna, soil subsoil, underground water, above ground Important requirements to be incorporated while site planning | Green Infrastructure Active, Semi-active and Passive features are to be listed out which we can incorporate into our design. We have already discussed various Passive and Active features regarding Green Architecture. All these features have to be studied, analysed on site if they exist and then should be incorporated into your design. Design and allocation of Active and Passive features is an important part of Zoning. Important design features to be incorporated into your Zoning design

Zone it Contour it according to your requirements Show proposed paths, networks, water bodies and ponds Rainwater harvesting Water Recycling Sewage Treatment Solar PV for general lighting Trees, shrubs and bushes Berms Trellises Pergolas Windmills Local trees, plants, bushes etc.

SITE ANALYSIS AND DEVELOPMENT | PRINCIPLES OF GREEN ARCHITECTURE Site Analysis and Site Development | Siting and Structure Design Efficiency Site Analysis is followed by Site Development. Site Development Design can be efficient only if the Site Analysis is done correctly and accurately. In our earlier article, we discussed the first part of The Siting and Structure Design Efficiency that is Selection of a suitable site. In this article, we will discuss how Site Analysis and Site Development Design help in achieving the goal for a sustainable environment. Site Analysis Once we are done with the selection of the Building site, get the entire survey of the site. The topography of the site and the natural features present on the site are to be studied. A better and efficient way of utilizing the sites natural elements have to be figured out. For examples, the existing landscaping which would include tall or shady trees or bushes can be efficiently merged with the building design to serve a purpose. Swales and Wetlands can be maintained and preserved if any on the site and used for the filtration of the Surface runoff. Site Analysis also includes the study of micro-climatic factors which could influence the design of the Project. Site Development

Site Development scheme should be carried out after having studied the site. This is the ultimate stage where importance has to be given for the consequences of the construction that is to be carried onto the site. This is something that will decide whether we were able to successfully create a Green environment. When we talk about Green environment, we are also taking into consideration the ecological and environmental impact that our structure would have on the surroundings. Site and its Surroundings | Siting and Structure Design Efficiency Site and its Surroundings is one of the seven principles of Green Building Architecture. In our earlier articles, we discussed about Sustainable Development. Here are the seven Principles of Green Architecture: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Site and its surroundings Energy Efficiency Water Efficiency Material Efficiency Indoor Air Quality Waste Reduction Low maintenance costs

The Green Principle Site and its Surroundings deals with it. We can relate them and try to understand the essence of this whole principle. SITE, STRUCTURE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS | PRINCIPLES OF GREEN ARCHITECTURE Site and its surroundings For a better understanding and study of the concept, we can divide the principle into three parts: 1. 2. 3. Selection of a suitable site Site Analysis Site Development

Selection of a suitable site Selection of a site depends on the type and the size of the Project. Our aim is to reduce the consumption of energy resources and still create an efficient structure. Site selection is mainly based on two factors: 1. 2. Factors concerning the before construction of the project Factors concerning the after construction of the structure (after use efficiency)

Factors concerning the before construction of the project

Availability of skilled labour Availability of cheap labour Transportation facilities Availability of local or natural materials to reduce construction and transportation costs Rate of population growth and urbanization in that area Town planning and environmental conditions

These are the factors that are to be examined and kept in mind while selecting a site prior to the construction of the project.

Factors concerning the after construction of the structure (after use efficiency)

Access to Parks and Playgrounds Agricultural potentiality of the land Availability of Public Utility Services especially water, electricity and sewage disposal contour of the land in relation to the building costs cost of land distance from places of work ease of drainage location with respect to schools, colleges and public buildings nature of use of adjacent areas transport facilities wind, velocity and direction