PLN1 Site Planning & PLN2 Fundamentals of Urban Design Flashcards

Comprehensive question-and-answer review flashcards covering PLN1 Site Planning and PLN2 Urban Design principles, standards, definitions, and enumerations.

What is the definition of site planning according to the PLN1 reviewer?

The art of arranging structures on land and shaping spaces between them, organizing the external physical environment for human use by linking architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, and city planning.

What are the seven human needs in Maslow's hierarchy as listed in PLN1?

Physiological, Safety/Security, Belonging, Esteem, Actualization, Cognitive, and Aesthetic.

What are the three site grading methods listed in PLN1?

Cut, Fill, and Combined Cut-and-Fill.

What are the three methods used to measure cut and fill earthwork volumes?

Average End Area Method, Contour Area Method, and Borrow Pit / Grid Method.

What are the five soil horizons and rock layers in a standard soil profile?

Soil Horizon O (thin organic-rich surface layer), Soil Horizon A (topsoil layer), Soil Horizon B (subsoil), Soil Horizon C (unconsolidated material above bedrock), and Bedrock / Ledge (rock layer below the soil profile).

What is soil liquefaction and when does it occur?

The reduction in soil strength and stiffness caused by increased pore-water pressure from shaking or rapid loading.

What are the ideal temperature and humidity ranges for human climate comfort in site planning?

Temperature range of $10\text{–}27\,^\circ\text{C}$ and relative humidity range of $40\text{–}75\%$.

What are the four mechanisms by which vegetation in a windbreak or shelterbelt reduces wind speed?

Absorption, frictional drag, deflection, and turbulence.

What feature representations do the five topographic map colors designate?

Black (cultural features: roads, railroads, civil boundaries), Blue (water bodies), Green (woodlands), Red (developed urban areas), and Brown (contour lines).

What are the noise study radii for roadways, railways, and aircraft in site planning?

Roadways within $1{,}000\,\text{ft}$ / $304\,\text{m}$, railways within $3{,}000\,\text{ft}$ / $915\,\text{m}$, and aircraft/airports within $15\,\text{mi}$ / $24\,\text{km}$.

What are the site grading slope standards for main streets/drives, parking areas, lawns, and planted slopes?

Main streets/drives: $1\text{–}8\%$, Parking areas: $1\text{–}5\%$, Lawns: $1\text{–}5\%$, and Planted slopes: $\le 50\%$.

What are the general site engineering rules regarding average soil angle of repose for cut and fill?

Average soil angle of repose for cut is $\approx 55^\circ$, and for fill is $\approx 17^\circ$.

What is the fire hydrant coverage standard for site planning?

At least $2\,\text{hydrants}$ located within $500\text{–}600\,\text{ft}$ / $150\text{–}180\,\text{m}$ of every building.

What are the three primary goals of urban design identified in PLN2?

Structurally and functionally sound development, sustainable development, and meeting the needs and aspirations of people.

What are the five capital perspectives integrated into sustainable development?

Financial capital, physical capital, human capital, social capital, and natural capital.

What are the seven qualities of Responsive Architecture / Responsive Design?

Permeability, Variety, Legibility, Robustness, Visual Appropriateness, Richness, and Personalization.

What are the four structural layers of the Community Design Architecture (CDA) system?

Social architecture, Knowledge architecture, Business architecture, and Technology architecture.

What are the four core qualities that define a Great Place?

Access & Linkages, Comfort & Image, Uses & Activities, and Sociability.

What are the five basic physical elements of urban design according to PLN2?

Buildings, Public Space, Streets, Transport, and Landscape.

What are the five city image elements identified by Kevin Lynch?

Paths, Nodes, Edges, Landmarks, and Districts.

What are the three main components that make up Urban Form / Townscape?

Street plan / layout, architectural style and building design, and land use.

What are the five basic forms or layout categorizations of a square or plaza?

Enclosed / closed square, dominated square, linked / grouped squares, nuclear square, and amorphous square.

What are the six stages of the Urban Design Process?

Prepare design brief, Survey, Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation, and Implementation.

What are the ten principles of New Urbanism?

Walkability, Connectivity, Mixed Use & Diversity, Mixed Housing, Quality Architecture & Urban Design, Traditional Neighborhood Structure, Increased Density, Smart Transportation, Sustainability, and Quality of Life.

What are the spatial limits for upper uninterrupted street length and node spacing in urban design standards?

Upper uninterrupted street length limit is $\approx 1{,}500\,\text{m}$ / $1\,\text{mile}$, and node spacing interval along streets is $200\text{–}300\,\text{m}$.

What are the allowable soil bearing capacities for hard rock, medium rock, hardpan, and gravel?

Hard rock: $40\,\text{tons/sq.ft.}$, Medium rock: $15\,\text{tons/sq.ft.}$, Hardpan: $10\,\text{tons/sq.ft.}$, and Gravel: $6\,\text{tons/sq.ft.}$.

What are the three scale levels of urban design components and their corresponding focal areas?

Macro scale (urban spatial structure), Medium scale (urban beautification), and Micro scale (urban decoration).

What are the seven basic ordering principles of landscape design composition?

Balance, unity, harmony, rhythm, proportion, scale, and character.