Module III

AR 17-42 SITE SURVEYING AND

ANALYSIS
SYLLABUS
Importance of site analysis - On site and off site factors - Analysis of natural,

cultural and aesthetic factors – topography, hydrology, soils, vegetation, climate,

surface drainage, accessibility, size and shape, infrastructures available - sources

of water supply and means of disposal system, visual aspects - Preparation of site

analysis diagram.

Study of contours: slope analysis - grading process - grading criteria - functional

and aesthetic considerations.

SITE ANALYSIS
Site Analysis
Site analysis is a preliminary phase of architectural and urban design processes dedicated to the
study of the climatic, geographical, historical, legal, and infrastructural context of a specific site.

The result of this analytic process is a summary, usually a graphical sketch, which sets in relation the relevant
environmental information with the morphology of the site in terms of parcel, topography, and built
environment. This result is then used as a starting point for the development of environment-related strategies
during the design process.
Importance of Site Analysis
The aim of Site Analysis is to provide an understanding of the site, in terms of its context, constraints and opportunities. It
allows the designer to use the site to its best potential and take advantage of the resources available such as sunlight,
views, access etc.
Tools used for Site Analysis
A number of graphical tools for site analysis have been developed to assist designers in this task.

Examples of traditional climate-related site analysis tools are the Sundial, the Sun Path Diagram,the Radiation
Square, the Wind Rose, and the Wind Square. These conventional methods of site analysis are efficient in
simple sites with irrelevant close obstructions, where the analysis can be reduced to the parcel at the ground
level or even exclusively to its center point.

More elaborated techniques, like Volumetric Site Analysis, can instead be used to study more intricate and
obstructed sites like those of high and dense urban settings.
Site Design Process
As described by Edward T. White the site design process is divided up into three sections; research phase, analysis phase, and synthesis
phase. These three phases are divided into the eight chronological steps in the design process.
● Research phase: The first step is defining the problem and its definition. This is part of the research phase. The site design and
site planning process begins with the initial problem to be solved. This is started by a client contracting a planner to work with a
particular site.
● Analysis phase: The next step involves programming the site as well as site and user analysis, which is focused on in-depth
below. There are numerous site elements related to the analysis during this phase. This is part of the analysis phase in site
planning.
● Synthesis phase: From the analysis, a program is developed, which is part of the synthesis phase. The third step deals with
schematic design of a site plan as well as a preliminary cost estimate for the site. Step four involves more developed designs and
a detailed cost estimate. Step five is the construction documents or the plan. Bidding and contracting for the project follows as
step six. Construction then will take place as step seven. The final step, step eight, in the site design process is occupation and
management of the site.
•The general categories of data we will be looking at as we carry out our architectural site analysis are:
•Location – where the site is situated
•Neighbourhood context – the immediate surrounding of the site including data on zoning and buildings and other impacts on our project.
•Zoning and size – dimensional considerations such as boundaries, easements, height restrictions, site area, access along with any further plans.
•Legal information – ownership, restrictions or covenants, council related information, future urban development plans.
•Natural physical features – actual features of the site such as trees, rocks, topography, rivers, ponds, drainage patterns.
•Man made features – existing buildings, walls, surrounding vernacular, setbacks, materials, landscaping, scale.
•Circulation – Vehicle and pedestrian movements in, through and around the site. Consider the timing of these movements, and duration of heavier
patterns. Future traffic and road developments should also be considered.
•Utilities – Any electricity, gas, water, sewer and telephone services that are situated in or near the site, along with distances, depths and materials.
•Climate – all climatic information such as rainfall, snowfall, wind directions, temperatures, sun path, all considered during the different times of the
year.
•Sensory – this addresses the visual, audible and tactile aspects of the site, such as views, noise, and so on. These again should be considered in
time frames and a positive or negative factor can be attributed to the condition.
•Human and cultural – the cultural, psychological, behavioural and sociological aspects of the surrounding neighbourhood. Activities and patterns,
density, population ethnic patterns, employment, income, values and so on.
Topography
the arrangement of the natural and artificial
physical features of an area.

Topography is the study of the forms and features of land

surfaces. The topography of an area could refer to the land forms
and features themselves, or a description (especially their
depiction in maps).
Topography
Hydrology
Hydrology is the study of the distribution and movement of water
both on and below the Earth's surface, as well as the impact of
human activity on water availability and conditions.

● The field of hydrology consists not only of studying the natural

distribution and movement of water, it is also concerned with
the impact of human activities on water quality and with
problems in water management.
● People use water for many purposes. In their homes, people use
water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and bathing.
● Many industries have a great need for water.
● In agriculture, water is used for the irrigation of farmland and for
livestock.
● Water in many dams is used to produce hydroelectric power. The
list of human uses for water is virtually endless.
Soils
● Soil is the loose surface material that
covers most land. It consists of inorganic
Sand Peat
particles and organic matter.
● Soil provides the structural support to plants
used in agriculture and is also their source of
water and nutrients. Soils vary greatly in their
chemical and physical properties.
● Soil can be categorised into sand, clay, silt,
peat, chalk and loam types of soil based on
Clay Chalk
the dominating size of the particles within a
soil.

Silt Loam
Soils
Six Different Types of Soils Found in India

● Alluvial Soils
● Black Soils: These soils are made up of volcanic rocks
and lava-flow.
● Red Soils
● Laterite Soils
● Mountain Soils
● Desert Soils
Vegetation
Vegetation is an assemblage of plant species and the ground
cover they provide.

Vegetation regions can be divided into five major types: forest,

grassland, tundra, desert, and ice sheet.
Vegetation Analysis
Vegetation analysis is the way to study species
composition and structure of plant community.
Climate Analysis

https://whereisthenorth.com/site-an
alysis-in-architecture-a-step-by-step
-guide/
Surface drainage
Accessibility
Infrastructures
available
infrastructure include transportation
systems, communication networks,
sewage, water, and electric
systems.
Sources of water supply

- Well
- Borewell
- Municipal water
- River
- Nearby waterbody
Means of disposal system
● Biowaste ● Landfill.
● Plastic waste ● Incineration.
● Sewage
● Waste compaction.
● Composting.
Sewage ● Vermicomposting.
Sewage (or domestic wastewater) consists of
wastewater discharged from residences and from
commercial, institutional and public facilities that exist
in the locality.Sewage is a mixture of water (from the
community's water supply), human excreta (feces and
urine), used water from bathrooms, food preparation
wastes, laundry wastewater, and other waste products
of normal living.
Visual aspects
 Site Analysis ● Pedestrian and vehicular traffic generators
● Vehicular circulation patterns
● Location ● Pedestrian circulation patterns
● Solid void space relationships
● Location of the city in the state or region
● Exterior lighting patterns
● Location of the neighbourhood in the city ● Significant architectural patterns
● Distances and travel times between site ● Significant classifications
and related locations ● Nearby buildings of particular value or
● Location of the site in the neighbourhood significance
● Neighbourhood context ● Sun-shadow patterns
● Existing zoning ● Contours
● Projected future zoning ● Major land features
● Existing uses ● Surface drainage patterns
● Projected future uses ● Underground storm sewer system
● Vegetation
● Age or condition of existing buildings
● Boundaries and Site Area
● Existing use of exterior space ● Street rights of way
● Projected future use of exterior space ● Zoning and setbacks
● Buildable area
● Site coverage and building height limit
Refer- Edward T. White, Site Analysis, Architectural Media Ltd.,
1983. ● Off street parking required
Study of contours
Contours
● The form of the ground is usually indicated by contours
● Imaginary line which connect all points of equal elevation on the ground
What is Slope analysis?
Slope analysis is the tool to indicate each portion of land with percent
slope to see the potential in developing each part for suitable use.
Why is Slope analysis done?
Slope analysis is done to determine the best areas for placing buildings, roads,
parking lots, and other uses on a particular site.

Landscape architects/architects often conduct an analysis of the steepness of

the terrain. This process is commonly referred to as slope analysis.

Slope analysis provides informationthat can be used in cojuction with other

considerations such as economics, vegetation, drainage, soils etc. in making
site planning decisions.
Checklist of Site Data
1. Initial personal reconnaissance—
notes, sketches, photos — apparent character, problems, and possibilities
2. Collation of existing data: base and contour maps, aerial photos, geological soil and water
surveys, climate records, ecological studies, engineering reports, borings, census material,
histories, social studies, market reports, traffic studies, legal and public control documents,
official proposals, records of current controversies
3. Sum m ary description of the off-site context and its changes: geographic location, surrounding
populations, social and political structure, general economy, ecological and hydrographic system,
land-use patterns, access sys- tern, principal off-site destinations and facilities
Checklist of Site Data
Data on the site and its immediate context (3) Topography:

Physical data a. Pattern of landforms

(1) Geology and soil: b. Contours

a. Underlying geology, rock character and depth c. Slope analysis

b. Soil type and depth, value as an engineering material and d. Visibility analysis
as a plant medium

c. Fill, ledge, slides, subsidence e. Circulation analysis

(2) Water: f. Unique features

a. Existing water bodies— variation and purity (4) Climate:

b. Natural and manmade drainage channels— flow, capacity, purity a. Regional data on variation of temperature, precipitation,
humidity, solar angle, cloudiness, wind direction and force
c. Surface drainage pattern, amount, block- ages, undrained
depressions b. Local microclimates: warm and cool slopes, air drainage, wind
deflection and local breeze, shade, heat reflection and storage,
d. Water table— elevation and fluctuation, springs e. Water supply — plant indicators
quantity and quality
c. Sound levels, smell, atmospheric quality
Checklist of Site Data
(5) Ecology: (7) Sensuous qualities:

a. Dominant plant/animal communities — location and relative stability a. Character and relation of visual spaces

b. Their dependence on existing factors, self- regulation, and sensitivity b. Viewpoints, vistas, visual focal points
to change
c. Character and rhythm of visual sequences
c. Mapping of general plant cover, including wooded areas
d. Quality and variation of light, sound, smell, feel ibilities
d. Specimen trees to be retained: their location, spread, species, and
elevation at base

(6) Man-made structures:

a. Existing buildings: outline, location, floor elevations, type, condition,

use

b. Circulation facilities (roads, paths, rails, transit, etc.): location,

capacity, and condition

c. Utilities (storm and sanitary sewers, water, gas, electricity, telephone,

steam, etc.): location, elevation, capacity
Checklist of Site Data
B. Cultural data C. Data correlation
(1) Resident and using population: (1) Classification of site by areas of similar structure, quality, and
a. Number and composition problems

b. Social structure and institutions (2) Identification of key points, lines, and areas

c. Economic structure (3) Analysis of current and likely future chan ges— the dynamic
aspect of the site
d. Political structure
(4) Identification of significant problem s and poss
e. Current changes and problems

(2) On-site and adjacent behavior settings: nature, location, rhythm

, stability, participants, conflicts

(3) Site values, rights, and restraints: a. O w nerships, easements,

and other rights b. Legal controls: zoning and other regulations c.
Economic values d. Accepted "territories" e. Political jurisdictions

(4) Past and future: a. Site history and its traces b. Public and
private intentions for future use of site, conflicts

(5) Images: a. Group and individual identification and organization

of the site b. Meanings attached to site, symbolic expression etc.
Hopes, fears, wishes, preferences.
 Site Analysis
An understanding of the site and its environment is an integral part of a building program and is a prerequisite for good design. The
building location on the site is basically established by one of two different view points. In one, the building location is given by the client.
In the second and most advantageous, the building site is revealed by a thorough site analysis. A site analysis is the gateway to energy
conscious design and environmental responsive architecture.

Site analysis.
● Site analysis is a predesign research activity which focuses on existing and potential conditions on and around the building site. It
is an inventory of the site factors and forces, and how they coexist and interact. The purpose of the analysis is to provide
thorough information about the site assets and liabilities prior to starting the design process. Only in this way can concepts be
developed that incorporate meaningful responses to the external conditions of the site.
● The typical site analysis includes the site location and size, neighborhood context, zoning, legal aspects, geology, physiography
(natural and man-made features), hydrology, soils, vegetation, wildlife, climate, culture, pedestrian and vehicular circulation,
access, utilities, historic factors, density, sensory stimuli, and any other factor deemed appropriate for the particular site.
● An understanding of these issues is important in designing a successful home that not only meets its internal responsibilities, but
also relates well to its external environment. The home should last for many years, so the analysis of the site should take into
account the site's existing and future problems and capabilities.
Site Analysis
● The secret of using the site analysis is to design a good relationship between the building and the site itself. The building
design should be in harmony with those beneficial site conditions and strive to save, reinforce, amplify, and improve on
what is existing. The analysis will identify those site conditions which may be altered, eliminated, covered up, disguised
or reformed. Basically, take advantage of the good things nature has to offer and protect against the bad aspects of the
site. It is important to make these decisions deliberately and thoughtfully so that the effects of the building on the site are
deliberate rather than accidental or incidental.
● All the factors needed for a complete site analysis can generally be categorized into aesthetic, cultural, and natural
forces. Aesthetics has to do with what the person who will live on the site thinks is beautiful (the designer has the
responsibility to educate the client to possibilities); culture is the background of the people living in the area; and the
natural factors are the background of the environmental elements. For the purpose of energy-efficient design, natural
factors need to be investigated and understood. The natural factors which are most important for thermal comfort in this
analysis can be listed under climate and microclimate.
Site Analysis
Site Analysis
Site Analysis
GRADING
What is Grading?
•Grading is a process for reshaping the
topography of an existing site to
accommodate programmed uses (such
as a sport field or parking lot) and built
structures (such as a residence, a school
building, trails, or roads).
•Grading is an essential component for
all project scales involving properties as
large as several hundred acres (in the
case of a new residential subdivision) or
as small as a half-acre (for a children’s
playground) or a 400-square-foot
residential backyard.
What is Grading?
•Grading is necessary to reshape
existing terrain not only to
accommodate intended uses or
built facilities but also to redirect
surface water flow away from areas
where the water is not desirable.
Surface water can also be collected
for some purposes, such as
irrigation; allowed to infiltrate into
the underground aquifer; or, as is
more common, directed to a storm
water system.
What is Grading?
•Grading and the creating of
landforms can be employed to
achieve an aesthetic goal and
to help shape and create
outdoor spaces as part of a
complete design scheme.
Such an outdoor design might
include plantings, walls, water
features, and hardscape.
What is Grading?
•Grading and the creating of
landforms can achieve
specialized purposes such as
water conservation and
management or access control
and site security. Figure shows a
small lake created by the
landscape architect as a source
of irrigation water, for aesthetic
reasons as well as to provide a
cooling effect in a hot, dry
climate.
What you should know about grading?
1.Be familiar with drafting conventions and the use of architectural and engineering scales.
2.Be able to read topographic maps and be able to identify landform features such as hills, valleys, steep and not-so-steep terrain,
and drainage patterns. Also, the student should be able to determine elevations of any point or feature from a topographic map.
3.Be able to visualize three-dimensional landscape from contours given on a topographic map or map prepared by a land
surveyor.
4.Be able to create a land surface, path, or built program feature that has a prescribed or intentional slope.
5.Be able to manipulate contours in order to create desired landforms and sloping surfaces. Also, the student must be able to
manipulate contours so as to direct the flow of surface water in a desired direction, such as away from the entrance of a building.
6.Be able to assign spot elevations in plan and on sections.
7.Be able to calculate the volume of earth moved within a project site and determine the volume of earth or other soil or rock
material that needs to be transported to or off the project site.
8.Be able to prepare (draw) grading plans following graphic conventions so that the contractor knows
what to build.
9.Be knowledgeable about and understand various and pertinent design standards with grading. This
knowledge base may include functional design requirements of minimum and maximum slope for
various program elements such as recreation fields, parking and circulation, and handicap access
(standards for persons with ambulatory and other physical disabilities).
10.Be able to develop grading designs that fall within project budget constraints, while meeting client
program and functional requirements.
11.Be able to prepare grading plans that meet standards of care related to meeting public health, safety,
and welfare design standards—that is, grading plans that limit and reduce the chance of public harm
such as physical injury.
Principle for Drainage and Grading for Drainage
The Grading and Drainage Plan is used to describe necessary construction
tasks related to grading for implementing a site design. It is also used for
measuring required earthwork. The final grading plan generally shows the site
boundary, existing topography (land form), existing site features and
proposed elements to be placed on the land. It is shown in two-dimensional
form using contours, notes, and other symbols.
Block Grading
This method can be used when rough grading a large piece of land or a long
roadway. Basically the method involves manipulating every 5th contour as a
means to simplify the task. Once the rough form is laid out it can be graded
using every 5 th contour. Finally the other contours can be easily filled in using
interpolation. Interpolation is simply diving the space between the block
contours by the number of contour spaces required between. For instance,
using every 5th contour to block grade, you would divide the horizontal
distance between 5 and measure this distance to locate each contour. This
method is usually the first step in roughing out a grading plan. It allows you to
test a variety of design solutions without completing in detail each scheme.
Shown below is the preliminary block grading of a roadway.
Grading
Grading
The Grading Plan
Information diagrams. For clarity and understanding of the project, it may be
desirable to prepare several special diagrams prior to grading includin:

Slope Analysis Diagram- possibly with sections, to show the steepness of the
site. It can be done in colours (with bright colours indicating steepest areas).
The slope is usually broken down into percentage (0-5%, 5-15%, 15-25%, 25%
and above)

Drainage Map- this seems obvious, but a map showing natural and artificial
drainage ways, areas of flooding, wet area, ground water levels, existing wells,
etc. may be important in determining a drainage concept.
The Grading Plan
Geological Map- showing soil types, layering, rock outcrops, base and surficial
geology.

Vegetation Map- showing existing trees, large shrubs, size, variety and
condition, can be an important guide in determining which trees will be saved,
transplanted, moved or removed.

Cultural Map- showing all the man-made artifacts and needs-roads,

buildings, utility structures, easements etc.
Grading process
Actual grading process will be carried out over the total construction time
period and using different motorized equipment. The grading plan will show
only final finished grades. It is assumed that the grading contractor will figure
any changes that will be necessary to accommodate for sub-grades, or can be
directed by a note on the drawing or in the specs.
Grading process
Sub-grade- Most finished grade require the placement of some materials such
as bricks, concrete, loam, wooden deck etc. as a finish surface. These
materials will be placed to conform to your proposed grades. However, during
grading operations, it is necessary to grade out enough space to accomodate
these materials. This operation is called grading to sub-grade, that is removal
of excess martial to accommodate the finish landscape surface. Sub grade will
vary from 10- 30 cm depending on the amount of new material to be placed,
for instance a concrete patio will require 10 cm of space to sub grade whereas
a road require 25 cm for gravel, backfill and final asphalt surface.
Grading process
Balancing cut and fill: Grading operations has two divisions:
1. Pushing, moving, and placing soil within the site, and
2. Either importing or exporting additional soil to satisfy a cut or fill need.
It is generally considered good practice to avoid having to export or import
large amount of soil. To avoid excess, it is necessary several times during
design grading to do cut and fill estimate, where you calculator proposed cut
and fill volume of soil to assure there is reasonable balance. If the balance is
unfavourable, it may be necessary to restudy the area and devise a grading
plan which produces a balanced cut and fill solution.
Consideration to be taken while grading
While grading we need to avoid following

● Destruction of existing valuable vegetation.

● Extreme unbalance of cut and fill.
● Drainage pockets on flat surfaces, along buildings
● Erosion due to steep grades
● Grading solutions requiring expensive landscape features such as walls,
steps etc.
Drainage
Drainage is a symbiotic adjunct to the grading process. Every grading plan
must consider and solve the drainage problem specific to it.

There are four methods by which rainfall is removed from where it falls.

1. By surface runoff
2. By underground drainage
3. By evaporation
4. By transpiration
Storm Drainage system
In grading, surface runoff is the primary method to remove excess water. This is usually
carried out in some sort of storm drainage system. A storm drainage system collects,
conducts and disposes excess surface water caused by runoff from rainfall. Additionally , a
storm drainage system can:

1. Safeguard against erosion by reducing the rate of flow and volume of ater.
2. Reduce flooding and damage to property as well as increase usability through
elimination of excess unwanted water.
3. Eliminate unnecessary standing water which may lead to pollution and breeding of
insects.
4. Provide better growing conditions for trees and plants by reducing soil saturation.
5. Improve load bearing capacity of soils, thereby increasing the buildability of a site.
Good drainage Practices
1. Gravity is the primary vehicle for carrying runoff away. There must, therefore, be a continuous
minimum fall in the ground level to assure drainage.
2. Water flows perpendicular to the contours- ALWAYS!
3. It is better to slow runoff water down and let it be absorbed by the soil than to remove all of it
thorough surface runoff.
4. New runoff water must never be directed purposefully from one property onto a lower
neighbouring property. It is acceptable for water which flows naturally from your property to
the neighbours to continue, but you must never increase this flow artificially through grading.
5. Erosion is the biggest problem in drainage- slopes must be carefully calculate to insure
continuous flow, yet not steep enough to erode. (Plant all slopes immediately following grading.
6. Slow moving water will create a bog, while water moving fast will erode and form unwanted
gullies.
Good drainage Practices
7. Surface drainage is general preferred to using underground pipes, as this eliminates the danger of
pipes clogging, is less expensive and allows some runoff to percolate into the ground.

8. Duplicate the natural runoff principles where possible.

9. Paved areas look better when graded almost level- avoid wildly sloping paved areas.

10. Large amounts of water should not cross a sidewalk to reach the street drain (install a catch
basin or french drain before the sidewalk)

11. Always designa secondary drainage route to handle runoff sould the primary system become
clogged or constructed.
Recommended Reading
•Robinstein, Harvey M., A Guide to Site and Environmental Planning , (Prentice Hall P T R, Eaglewood Cliffs, NJ. 07632)
•Harvey M. Rubenstein ,A guide to Site Planning and Landscape Construction page 18-69, (John Wiley & Son, inc. N.Y.1996)
•John Ormsbee Simonds, Landscape Architecture, (Mcgraw-Hill 1997)
•Michael Laurie, An Introduction to LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, page 132-151
•Kevin Lynch - Site planning - MIT Press, Cambridge, MA - 1967.
•Theodore D. Walker, PLAN GRAPHICS.
Edward T. White, Site Analysis, Architectural Media Ltd., 1983.
Question Bank
PART A
1. Write a note on grading process.
2. What is site grading? List the various factors to be considered for site grading.
3. Write a short note on Cultural and Aesthetic factors of a site
4. Mention any five factors that need to be considered for the site analysis diagram.
5. Differentiate between micro and macro level climate with suitable examples.

PART B

1. What are the vegetation and climatic aspects influencing a site

2. Explain in detail the methods of surface drainage with neat sketches.
3. List the factors to be considered for the preparation of site analysis diagram and explain any four factors and their impact on site
with suitable examples.
4. Explain the parameters to be considered for analysing the contour site with suitable examples observed from your case studies.
5. Explain in detail different sources of water supply.
6. Explain the cause, effect and control measures of solid waste disposal observed from your case studies ?
7. Is cultural, natural factors plays vital role in site analysis ? Illustrate with suitable examples.
8. Explain the grading criteria while modifying the site.
SHEET REFERENCES