Introduction to Site Planning WHAT IS LANDSCAPE

and Landscape Architecture

ARCHITECTURE?
WHAT IS SITE
PLANNING?
Landscape Architecture is a profession that deals with the act of
planning, designing, specifying, supervising and giving general
administration and responsible direction to the funtional, orderly and
aesthetic arrangement, changing and development of natural scenery
and land areas to produce the most desirable effect for human use
Site Planning is the art of arranging structures on the land and and enjoyment of various outdoor spaces which consist of landscape
shaping the spaces between, an art linked to architecture, components and the softscape of plants; the protection, conservation
engineering, landscape architecture and city planning. and rehabilitation of the natural environment and scenery to enhance
It is the organization of the external physical environment to the ecological system and quality of life; and as further defines by
accommodate human behavior. It deals with the qualities and Republic Act 9053 otherwise known as the "Philippine Landscape
locations of structures, land, activities, and living things. It creates a Architecture Act of 2000".
pattern of those elements in space and time, which will be subject to A Landscape Architect is a person qualified to practice said
continuous future management and change. The technical output- profession.
the grading plans, utility layouts, survey locations, planting plans,

Parameters of Site Selection

sketches, diagrams, and specifications- are simply a conventional
way of specifying the complex organization.

Professionals related in this practice are the Architects, Landscape

Architects, Engineers and Environmental Planners - for large
and Analysis
scale projects. Kindly refer to Republic Act 10587 or Environmental
Planning Act of 2013. PreliminarySite
Investigationand Analysis
The process of site planning begins with the gathering of basic data ● Computer applications in site planning - Computer graphics
relating specifically to the site under consideration and the for easy pictorial and analytical studies
surrounding areas.
● Perspective and isometric depictions of topography
The data should include such items as: master plans and studies, ● Slope analysis
zoning ordinances, base and aerial maps, surveys, topographic data,
geological information, hydrographic data, soil classification, ● Cut-and-fill calculations
vegetation and existing easements. ● Watershed analysis
After all information has been obtained, it must be examined and ● Simulation studies
analyzed.

● Establish the site’s advantages and limitations

● Conclusions should be established The Sequence in Producing a
After a thorough analysis of the site and after all conclusions have Site Plan
been studied, it is then possible to
determine whether the land is suitable for the proposed use. If the
land is found suitable, the data should be analyzed further to
establish other specific parameters of the site. These include item SURVEY
such as:
A survey is a checklist of information or data pertaining to a site.
Best area to locate building due to: The kind of data that would be required in some rather normal
example of site planning. Such a list would be drawn up after
● Soil condition an initial analysis of the problem. To guide the first survey,
● Topography information would be gathered continuously as the problem
develops.
● Soil erosion
● Drainage patterns
● Land contour Steps that could be followed in conducting a survey (Based from
Kevin Lynch):
● Natural attractions of the site
1. Initial personal reconnaissance notes, sketches, photos –
Further studies, if needed, should be provided such as: apparent character, problems and possibilities.
2. Collation of existing data: base and contour maps, aerial photos, a. Pattern of landforms
geological soil and water surveys, climate records, ecological studies, b. Contours
engineering reports, borings, census materials, histories, social c. Slope analysis
studies market reports, traffic studies, legal and public control d. Visibility analysis
documents, official proposals, record of current controversies. e. Circulation analysis
f. Unique features
3. Summary description of the off-site context and its
changes: geographic location, surrounding populations, social and 4. Climate
political structure, general economy, ecological and hydrographic
a. Regional data on variation of temperature,
system, land use patterns, access system, principal off-site
precipitation, humidity, solar angle, cloudiness, wind direction and
destinations and facilities.
force
4. Data on the site and its immediate context: b. Local microclimates: warm and cool slopes, air
drainage, wind deflection and local breeze shade, heat deflection and
storage,
plant indicators
A. Physical data c. Sound levels, smell, atmospheric quality

1. Geology and Soil 5. Ecology

a. Underlying geology, rock character and depth a. Dominant plant/ animal communities- location and
b. Soil type and depth, value as an engineering material relative stability
and plant medium b. Their dependence on existing factors, self-
c. Fill, ledge, slides, subsidence regulation, and sensitivity to change
c. Mapping of general plant cover, including wood
2. Hydrology
areas
a. Existing water bodies – variation and purity d. Specimen trees to be retained: their location,
b. Natural and man-made drainage channels- flow spread, species and elevation at base
capacity purity
6. Man-made structures
c. Surface drainage pattern, amount, blockages,
a. Existing buildings outline, location, floor, elevations,
untrained depressions
type condition use
d. Water table- elevation and fluctuation, springs
b. Circulation facilities (roads, paths, rails, transit, etc.)
e. Water supply- quantity and quality
location, capacity and condition
3. Topography c. Utilities (storm and sanitary sewers, water, gas,
electricity, telephone, steam etc.)
d. Location, elevation and capacity
 7. Sensuous qualities 5. Images
a. Character and relations of visual spaces
a. Group and individual identification and organizations
b. Viewpoints, vistas, visual focal points
of the site
c. Character and rhythm of visual sequences
b. Meanings attached to site, symbolic expression
d. Quality and variation of light, sound, smell, feel
c. Hopes, fears, wishes, preferences
i. Classification of site by areas of similar structures, quality and
problems
B. Cultural Data ii. Identification of key points, lines and areas
iii. Analysis of current and likely future changes- the dynamic aspect
1. Resident and using population of the site
a. Number and composition iv. Identification of significant problems and possibilities
b. Social structure and institutions 5) Data correlation:
c. Economic structure a. Classification of site by areas of similar structures, quality and
d. Political structure problems
e. Current changes and problems b. Identification of significant key-points, lines and areas
2. On-site and adjacent behavior settings: nature, c. Analysis of current and likely future changes in the dynamic
location rhythm, stability, participants, conflicts aspect of the site
d. Identification of significant problems and possibilities

3. Site values, rights, and restraints

a. Ownership, easements and other rights

b. Legal controls: zoning and other regulations Take Note:
c. Economic values When selecting a site, it should be noted that the future
d. Accepted territories considerations and expansion should be met. Never select a site for
e. Political jurisdictions its immediate application.
4. Past and future

a. Site history and its traces

b. Public and private intentions for future use of site
conflicts