L.A.R.E. Section 2 - Planning & Design

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midpoint between areas of interest and/or points along distant lengths of travel

where pedestrians should be offered an opportunity/amenity to stop and rest (e.g. between trailhead and overlook)

5 principles of building location/placement

1. orient with respect topography to minimize grading

2. preserve existing vegetation

3. locate near site entry

4. primary entry is along major pathway (not necessarily highest traffic

5. primary entry on S. side

7 key points related to microclimate

• S facing slopes get most sun in winter

• SE facing slopes offer most desirable microclimate

• N facing slopes are colder than S facing

• W facing slopes are hottest in summer

• cold winter winds blow from the NW

• cooling summer breezes blow from the SW

• water bodies (e.g. lake) mitigate climate extremes (cool in summer)

urban heat island effect considerations (5)

• dark roofs are significant contributors to UHI effect

• dark asphalts absorb more heat than concrete

• green roofs mitigate UHI; paint roofs white

• vegetation and water can mitigate UHI

• tree canopy cover can significantly reduce surface temperatures in the urban environment

floodplains

areas that accommodate floodwaters in excess of channel capacity (composed of the channel, floodway, and flood fringe)

direct relationship; they influence one another

relationship between site program and site selection

4 site selection preferences

• reflective of input from stakeholders

• located in or adjacent to existing communities

• previously developed (including brownfield and greyfield)

• adjacent to public transit

4 site selection avoidances

• contain prime farmland or are undeveloped (greenfield)

• are habitat for endangered species or have sensitive ecosystems (e.g. wetlands)

• are within the 100 yr floodplain

• require extensive excavation and grading

5 factors that determine the effectiveness of any noise barrier

• distance

• height

• continuity

• length

• mass

alley houses (residential lot type; 4)

• garage in rear, faces alley

• garages/driveways absent from streetscape (makes for aesthetically pleasing neighborhood/streetscape)

• can have narrower streets and lots to offset additional cost of alley

• usually found in older neighborhoods

low-impact development

sustainable stormwater management emphasizing distributed, small-scale controls that emulate natural hydrological processes

3 benefits of low-impact development

• reduction in stormwater velocity (mainly through infiltration)

• increase in pervious surface area

• improved water quality

5 benefits of landscape lighting

• used to increase visibility, and therefore safety

• generally located between sidewalk and road

• can facilitate wayfinding (especially by emphasizing key buildings, signage, or pathways)

• don’t want lighting to be simply as bright as possible, but want to follow a clear scheme

• avoid upward-facing (increases light pollution)

4 considerations for vegetation used for windbreaks

• woody, evergreen vegetation is best suited for windbreaks and air funneling

• evergreen windbreaks should be 3 plants deep to be effective (deciduous should be 10)

• taller herbaceous plantings (e.g. grasses) have little impact on wind

• deciduous plants do not block wind in winter

8 elements contained in a transportation plan

• executive summary (includes goals and objectives of plan)

• description of planning and public outreach strategy

• description of existing conditions (within this context)

• summary of transportation needs

• projections of future conditions (within this context)

• development scenarios to meet future conditions

• cost implications and potential funding sources

• implementation plan and performance monitoring

4 criteria of the National Register of Historic Places

• is the site associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of US history

• is the site associated with the lives of persons significant to US history

• does the site embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction

• has the site yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history

military crest

the point on a hill just below the top of the hill that offers greatest visibility of the slope below

3 questions addressed during the Design Development (DD) phase

1. is the design coordinated?

2. will the design perform as intended?

3. is the design fully resolved?

determinants of sight distance triangles

• design speed of the road

• line of sight

sight distance

the length of road ahead of the vehicle that is visible to the driver

settlement

the downward movement of the ground caused by the weight of a structure

key requirement of equestrian facilities

are flat (needed for the riding areas and supporting infrastructure)

expansive soils

soils that swell when exposed to large amounts of water and shrink when the water evaporates

liquefaction

takes place when loosely packed, water-logged sediments at or near the ground surface lose their strength in response to the ground shaking; basically makes solids behave like liquids

differential subsidence

occurs when the soil beneath a building sinks downward (2 points settle at different rates); e.g. building is atop two different soil profiles

5 potential causes of landslides

• heavy rainfall

• unstable soils

• extreme topography

• loss of vegetation

• construction activity

audit

a systematic review or assessment of something

the 3 most important considerations for every question

• health

• safety

• welfare

framework plan

generally understood to be a planning tool or document that can coordinate future growth, development, and investment within a given community (catch-all term that takes variety of considerations into account)

principles of transit oriented development

• encourage high-density development

• mitigate urban sprawl

• mix commercial/office and residential uses

• provide housing for all price ranges

• reduce parking requirements

• encourage use of public transit

• create walkable communities and active public spaces

critical information provided in a feasibility study (6)

• market analysis (for private sector projects)

• development yield of a site (taking into account physical and regulatory constraints)

• regulatory permits and approvals required for project approval

• estimated project timeline (including political obstacles/incentives that can be expected)

• budget/funding mechanisms available for project funding

• initial design concepts

phasing plans

used on large scale sites or complex projects that need to be constructed or expanded in multiple steps; can also take the role of a visioning document that addresses future site conditions

sleeving

a large diameter tubing placed under hardscape surfaces to allow the irrigation mainline or laterals (or any type of wiring) to be routed through the property after placement of the hardscape

uplighting

upward-facing lighting; increase light pollution

typical amenities found in neighborhood parks (8)

• play areas for multiple age groups

• ADA-accessible circulation loop that connects to adjacent pedestrian circulation

• well-maintained open space for informal uses

• sports features (e.g. basketball court)

• general site amenities

• ornamental features to enhance aesthetic

• “natural” areas that also accommodate stormwater infiltration

• limited parking (most users can walk or use on-street)

viewshed protection is based around 4 measures

• a master plan or document that describes the community’s support for viewshed protection

• surveying public opinions and perceptions regarding scenic quality and preferences

• an accurate visual inventory and assessment process for the viewshed in question, including techniques such as visibility studies and digital viewshed modeling

• enforcement mechanisms to protect the viewshed

Landscape Architect’s typical contingency budget

5-10%

embodied energy

the energy consumed by all of the processes associated with the production of a material

common materials ranked from highest to lowest embodied energy

1. aluminum

2. PVC

3. steel

4. imported granite

5. kiln-dried lumber

6. bricks

7. local granite

8. concrete

9. gravel

10. sand

pro forma

something that is done this way is done or made as a formality, or based on assumptions or projections

difference between section and elevation drawings

sections focus on the “cut” (shows what lies within) whereas elevations focus on the vertical planes

non-discretionary

something is not left to individual choice or judgement

professional liability insurance

protects a professional services firm (LA) from claims of negligence or failing to perform their professional duties

general liability insurance

provides protection from third-party lawsuits, including property damage and bodily injury

gray water

wastewater resulting from handwashing, clothes washing, bathing, and similar processes of light water contamination; do not use in systems where human contact is going to occur (e.g. irrigation for soccer field, fountain, etc.)

3 questions addressed during design development (DD) phase

1. is the design coordinated?

2. will the design perform as intended?

3. is the design fully resolved?

design development (DD) phase

the design phase used to investigate and develop the individual systems and components that comprise the preferred project design

schedule of probable cost

the language commonly used by LA’s to communicate project cost to the owner

information contained in a maintenance plan (7)

• routine maintenance requirements

• seasonal maintenance requirements

• long-term, preventative, or as-needed maintenance requirements

• operating manuals for landscape infrastructure

• as-built drawings of the project

• guide to plant material with any species-specific maintenance needs

• list of replacement parts for key equipment

maintenance friendly design considerations (5)

• conducting soil tests and amending soils prior to planting

• requiring 2-3 inches of mulch coverage in planting beds to suppress weed growth

• using well-proven and/or drought-tolerant planting material that reduce the need for costly or specialized maintenance

• minimizing turf areas

• developing a site maintenance plan and distributing to staff after project is built and closed out

triangular spacing

head-to-head spacing of irrigation spray heads that allows for best coverage

elements contained in a transportation plan (8)

• executive summary, including goals and objectives

• description of planning and public outreach strategy

• description of existing conditions (related to transportation)

• summary of transportation needs

• projections of future conditions

• development scenarios to meet future conditions

• cost implications and potential funding sources

• implementation plan and performance monitoring

low-impact development

stormwater management that tends to emphasize distributed, small-scale controls that emulate natural hydrological processes

“treatment train”

a specific sequence that rainwater goes through; related to LID systems

LID techniques (7)

• retaining, evaporating, and infiltrating excess runoff created by development

• preserving existing natural hydrological features

• limiting the area disturbed by construction activities

• controlling stormwater at its source

• discouraging large, contiguous areas of impervious surface

• lengthening the “flow path” of stormwater and dispersing drainage across pervious and vegetated surfaces

• encouraging the use of non-structural “green” infrastructure

3 types of sustainable site design goals

• social/cultural

• environmental

• economic

benefits of effective site planning (6)

• promote public HSW

• protect the public from natural disasters / hazards

• reduce construction costs

• increase profits from development

• protect valuable natural and cultural amenities

• support critical ecological processes

benefits of public participation (7)

• engaging stakeholders

• creating an atmosphere of mutual respect

• creating a forum for meaningful discussion

• embracing a diversity of viewpoints

• sharing and receiving information

• incorporating public feedback into the design project

• saving time and money through all of the above

goals

general statements of intent for the overall design

objectives

specific statements that suggest how goals are going to be met

types of stakeholders (4)

• members of the project

• special interest groups

• government agencies

• elected officials

questionnaire

survey technique that is self administered, allows respondents to complete at the tie of their choosing, relative anonymity

interviews

sequence of questions, potential to be more flexible (unscripted questions pop up and participant can choose to skip questions)

visual preference survey

comparison between 2+ conditions, typically done with photos, generally address scale, massing, articulation, and placement of buildings

needs assessment

determines what a population believes they are lacking with emphasis on the built environment; used to establish a comparative relationship between existing conditions and ideal circumstances

charettes

intense period of design activity; repeatedly refines concepts based on stakeholder feedback

5 factors to consider when presenting to the public

• message

• medium

• audience

• setting

• time

plan

an adopted statement of policy, in the form of text, maps, and graphics, used to guide public and private actions that affect the future; all are developed in response to a series of goals and objectives

comprehensive plan

a planning document that establishes a government’s (usually municipality or county) policy for the long-term future development of the land under their control; establish non-binding policy goals

typical time span of a comprehensive plan

20-30 yrs

comprehensive plans are used to (5)

• organize large-scale processes

• coordinate decision making at the local level

• provide general guidance to land owners, developments, and other stakeholders

• promote informed decisions

• establish direction and consensus related to future development

elements typically addressed by comprehensive plans

• land use

• economic development

• natural and cultural resources

• housing

• transportation

• utilities

• community development

• community facilities

land use plans

describe future development possibilities within a defined planning area (neighborhood, district, etc.); located within the larger comprehensive plan document

main goal of land use plans

to regulate land use by preventing conflict between uses (typically via zoning)

regional plans

plans that cover geographic areas that cross over multiple jurisdictions; defined by unifying or coherent framework (watershed, transportation, etc.)

difference between urban plans and comprehensive plans

comprehensive plans use 2D drawings, while urban plans use 3D drawings (e.g. building massing and shadow studies); urban plans usually address smaller areas; urban has greater degree of spatial complexity

neighborhood plans

• used to address detailed goals, policies, and guidelines related to land use within a specific neighborhood

• defining the neighborhood boundaries is a critical aspect of this plan

• often a 1-2 yr timeline

site master plan

a document that addresses much of the content of a comprehensive plan, but at the site scale; typically 20-30 yr timespan

primary goals of a site master plan (5)

• outlining a phased growth plan for future site development

• identifying max development potential for a site

• highlighting critical cultural and environmental resources on site and ensuring that future development preserves these site assets

• considering how sustainable site design measures can be incorporated

• incorporate public feedback into site development

framework plan

a planning tool or document to coordinate future growth, development, and investment within a given community; a bit of a catch-all term; series of independent elements united in a single plan document

items considered when creating a framework/vision plan (5)

• land use

• open space

• architecture

• sustainability

• transportation/circulation

four groups of stakeholders

• members of the public

• special interest groups

• government agencies

• elected officials

areas not covered by historic preservation policies (2)

• wilderness areas

• wildlife habitat areas

2 types of historic districts

• national (National Register of Historic Places)

• local (established by municipal ordinances)

*not mutually exclusive and often applied to both apply

preservation

measures to protect existing aspects; prioritize maintenance of existing aspects over new construction

rehabilitation

repairing, altering, or adding to existing historic resource and preserves features with historic or cultural merit

restoration

remove/reconstruct historic features to increase historical accuracy

reconstruction

using new construction to increase historical accuracy

parks and trails master plans

used to organize the provision of recreational services and outdoor spaces to a community; include environmental, recreational, scenic, cultural, historic, transportation, and urban design elements; usually drafted every 5 years

reasons to draft a parks and trails master plan (7)

• protect natural resources and wildlife

• provide space for public recreation

• enhance sense of community through providing public spaces

• create new / support existing cultural infrastructure

view corridor plan

used to protect / control the viewshed of a specific area

viewshed

the area visible from a specific point or locality, or all views located along/from a specific road, trail, park, or historic landmark; can take many forms (a component of another plan, standalone plan or ordinance, zoning overlay district)

redevelopment plan

intended to promote economic development and quality of life, especially in areas that need it; often targeted at brownfield, greyfield, or urban in-fill sites

reasons to draft a redevelopment plan (6)

• responding to competition from nearby communities or regions

• addressing the loss of a major industry or employer in the area

• promoting a community to specific industries

• tackling economic stagnation or decline

• creating new tax revenues

• finding uses for underutilized spaces or resources in a community

items typically outlined in a redevelopment plan (6)

• a community’s relationship to the local economy

• desired industries or other economic drivers

• location and characteristics of sites identified for redevelopment

• public resources that can/will be dedicated toward redevelopment efforts

• public-private coordination strategy

• implementation plan and performance monitoring

environmental resources plan

used to protect lands, water bodies, wildlife, and other resources from impactful development; communities will value their natural resources differently

items typically contained in environmental resources plans (6)

• descriptions of critical and sensitive resource areas

• GIS maps of critical and sensitive resource areas (supported by surveys)

• analysis for carrying capacity of resources (or ways to determine)

• public outreach techniques for determining which resources are critical and the acceptable degradation of each

• policies to protect the resources

• implementation strategies

multi-modal transportation plan

goal of increasing quality of life and encouraging economic development; address use of roads by vehicles, public transit, bikes, and pedestrians

ways that multi-modal transportation plans are used (6)

• evaluate system capacity, deficiencies, and needs

• establish goals and objectives

• define and prioritize future needs

• develop, evaluate, and select potential solutions

• prepare and adopt the plan, including public review and comment

• implement, monitor, and evaluate plan performance

items typically contained in a multi-modal transportation plan (8)

• executive summary, including goals and objectives of the plan

• description of planning and public outreach strategy

• description of existing conditions (restricted to transportation and land use)

• summary of transportation needs

• projections of future conditions

• development scenarios to meet future conditions

• cost implications and potential funding sources

• implementation plan and performance monitoring