Site Planning Mod 1

Carrying Capacity

The measure of the type and intensity of development that can be supported without causing detrimental effects on society, economy, or environment.

Program Articulation

The process of creating one's own project brief and defining program requirements based on conceptual exploration and vision statements.

Site Planning

The art of arranging the external physical environment to support human behavior.

General Particulae

organizing principle being used when using diagrams beginning with regional context, then neighborhood conditions, before finally presenting on-site spatial issues.

Ecosystem Services

Environmental processes including flood regulation, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation

Approach 2: Context over internal efficiency

A contextual placement approach where a designer places recreational spaces near scenic views and quiet zones rather than near internally related functions.

General-Particular

An organizing principle or process defined as arranging site information from overview-level understanding toward more detailed elaboration (e.g., regional context to neighborhood conditions to on-site spatial issues).

Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Sustainable Site Planning

Landscape architects, planners, and architects integrating ecological and social concerns into development.

Eidetic Photomontages

Imagery used to communicate spatial truths, emotions, and interpretations of site conditions, as well as recording and assimilating information (not for producing final construction documents).

Sustainability and the Built Environment

The principle that sustainable built environments require context

Systems and Systematic Thinking

A "non-linear process" that explores multiple tangents and converts thought processes into executable design programs.

Technical Specifications

Written descriptions of procedures, materials, construction methods, standards, and safety requirements for a project.

Soft Spaces

Site elements including vegetated areas, landscaped zones, and open spaces, but excluding hardscapes like parking lots.

Site Inventory

The process of gathering and mapping a site's relevant physical, biological, and cultural attributes.

Site Selection

The process that involves identifying and evaluating alternative sites and selecting the best site for intended uses.

Crossing of Urban and Rural Population Lines (circa 2008)

A demographic milestone signifying a transition toward urban

Ecosystem Services

The principle that ecosystems provide regulatory, productive, and cultural functions essential to human survival.

Utilities Plan (Components)

An infrastructure layout including sanitary sewer systems, telecommunication cables, and drinking water distribution lines, but excluding property zoning classifications.

Site Inventory vs. Site Analysis

A distinction where site inventory gathers and maps attributes, while site analysis interprets their implications for suitability.

Hydrology Analysis

The category of site analysis involved when a designer studies flood records, drainage patterns, and seasonal water flow before placing structures on a site.

Integration of Climate Analysis into Design

Orienting openings to maximize natural ventilation and daylighting.

Contextual Analysis

It ensures the design responds meaningfully to the site and surrounding environment.

Referent Drawings

Base layers for contextual diagrams that should be as simple as possible, but should not be graphically dominant over site data.

Urban Infill Development

The concept applied when a developer chooses a vacant urban lot surrounded by existing infrastructure instead of clearing undeveloped agricultural land at the city edge.

Carrying Capacity

The type and intensity of development that can occur without detrimental environmental or social impacts.

Layered Analytical Clarity

The presentation principle reflected when a designer presents circulation, climate, and sensory conditions through separate layered diagrams rather than one crowded drawing.

Natural and Manmade features

A category of site elements that includes soil types and contours, but excludes infrastructural overlays like vehicular circulation.

Responding to Strong Prevailing Seasonal Winds (Best Design Strategy)

Positioning openings and masses to encourage controlled cross

Zoning

The site analysis parameter that refers to the legal limitations and development controls of a property, such as setbacks and allowable height.

Context-Sensitive Site Planning

Preserving and integrating trees into the site layout when a site contains mature trees that significantly reduce heat gain and improve microclimate conditions.

Site Analysis Presentation Best Practice

Presenting analysis parameter by parameter rather than combining all parameters into one confusing sketch or avoiding legends.

Zoning Regulations

They establish legal allowances and restrictions for development.

Referent Drawings

Simplified base drawings repeatedly used as foundations for presenting different site data and contextual diagrams.

Eidetic Photomontage

A presentation technique that uses compositions to communicate spatial truths, emotions, interpretations, and design visions of a site.

Development Paradigms

Concepts or approaches to development that emphasize compact development, mixed land uses, and sustainable communities.

Primary Purpose of Site Analysis

To gather information that guides responsive, feasible, and context

Objective vs. Subjective Data

Contours are objective data, while perceived noise levels are subjective data.

Conceptual Design

The process of adapting the project program to the unique conditions and opportunities of a site.

Capitalizing on Long Distance Scenic Views

Orienting major public spaces toward the identified views.

Contextual Factors

The category of evaluation elements when a planner examines transportation access, market service area, political environment, and environmental hazards.

Programming

An important step because it determines the quantity and quality of spaces required to meet project needs.

Natural Resources Inventory

A survey mapping environmental assets like flood regulation ecosystem services, spiritual/aesthetic values, and food/fiber production, but excluding physical transportation infrastructure.

Feasibility Study

An analytical process looking at acquisition costs, permitting expenses, maintenance costs, and expected return on investment to test whether the project can realistically and economically proceed.

Program

The term that refers specifically to the quantity and quality of spaces needed to meet anticipated project needs.

Site Reconnaissance

The activity considered the first stage of site investigation involving an initial visit to identify site attributes and constraints.

Inflexible Zoning Codes

 Low-density urban sprawl caused by rigid development standards.

RA 9053

The Republic Act that governs the professional practice of Landscape Architecture in the Philippines.

The process that addresses the three crucial issues of capacity, compatibility, and affordability when evaluating potential sites.

Site Selection Criteria

The aspect of sustainability focusing on nurturing communities, equity, and improving quality of life for people. Social Sustainability

Social Sustainability

Threshold Criteria

Critical site and contextual attributes used to screen potential sites during the site selection process.

Post-Occupancy Evaluations

Studies conducted to analyze and reveal the consequences of past design decisions.

Visual Preference Survey

A programming method where a community workshop asks residents to rate streetscapes and neighborhood images according to preference.

Weighted vs. Unweighted Approach

A distinction where weighted approaches assign greater influence to more important selection criteria.

Urban Redevelopment

The replacement, remodeling, or reuse of existing structures to accommodate new development.

Cultural Resources Inventory

Sites and contextual features including archaeological sites and traditional neighborhoods.

Urban Infills

Developments that occur on vacant or remnant lands previously passed over by development.

Which scenario BEST reflects the concept of “location-efficient sites”?

Mono-functional districts separated from commercial activities

Why is site selection in public sector projects described as a “nuanced assessment”?

Site decisions involve negotiation among stakeholders and consideration of social, economic, and environmental factors

For site selection of a Day Care Center, the required classroom building measures 12 m × 18 m. The design requires an additional 3 meters on all sides for play areas and circulation, 2 meters setbacks on all sides, and a 6 m frontage parking/loading area on one side only. What is the minimum required lot area for the proposed development?784 sqm

784 sqm

Which situation BEST demonstrates the consequences of inflexible zoning codes?

Low-density urban sprawl caused by rigid development standards

Which statement BEST distinguishes a weighted approach from an unweighted approach in site selection?

Weighted approaches assign greater influence to more important selection criteria

A retaining wall is designed without weep holes or drainage provisions behind the wall. What is the MOST likely long-term problem?

Build-up of hydrostatic pressure that may cause overturning or failure

A sloping site is developed with buildings following natural contours instead of flattening the entire property. Which principle of sustainable grading is MOST reflected?

Adapting architecture to existing terrain conditions

Which grading response BEST reflects environmentally sensitive development on sloping terrain?

Preserving existing drainage patterns and minimizing landform alteration

Which placement strategy for roads and buildings on sloping terrain generally results in the LEAST disturbance to existing landforms?

Locating roads diagonally across contours

A contour map shows lines that are evenly spaced across an entire hillside. Which slope condition is MOST likely represented?

Uniform slope

A designer intentionally manipulates topography to create enclosed seating areas, direct views, and channel pedestrian circulation. Which design language function is MOST directly being applied?

Spatial consideration

RA 10587

Republic Act governs the professional practice of Environmental Planning in the Philippines, including planning competencies related to land use and site development

Which situation BEST illustrates the environmental role of landform design discussed in the lecture?

Using grading and bridges to guide wildlife safely across highways

Technical Specifications

Contains written descriptions of construction procedures, material quality, standards, and work safety requirements

It directs stormwater away from structures to prevent moisture and structural damage

Why is “positive drainage” considered a critical grading constraint in site development?

Which statement BEST distinguishes a ridge from a valley in contour interpretation?

Valleys are elongated depressions while ridges are elongated elevated landforms

Valley or drainage channel

Landform condition this pattern indicate: A contour line forms a “V” shape pointing uphill as it crosses a stream

Which characteristic BEST distinguishes a depression from a summit on contour maps?

Depressions have the lowest elevation at the center while summits have the highest

General Specifications

specification that includes bidding requirements, insurance, bonding, and incentives for early project completion

Why are contour intervals generally increased when the scale of a topographic map becomes smaller?

Larger contour intervals prevent excessive crowding of contour lines on the map

Aspect

Term that describes the compass direction that a slope faces?

Which situation BEST demonstrates proper application of site grading principles on sloping terrain?

Designing structures that follow existing landforms to minimize cut and fill

A proposed retaining wall on a steep site lacks adequate uphill drainage control. Which issue is MOST likely to occur first?

Hydrostatic pressure build-up causing instability

Hachures

A relief representation method that uses small straight lines drawn in the direction of maximum slope?

Construction Specifications

A type of specification supplements construction drawings by providing information commonly conveyed in report form rather than graphic drawings