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AR 303_Site Planning and Landscape Architecture

INTRODUCTORY LECTURE/NOTES
Arch. Eduardo F Bober, Jr.

WHERE CAN I PUT A PARTICULAR PROJECT?

WHAT CAN I DO WITH THE LAND?

Answering these questions is NOT easy!


We are faced by the following issues:
-

Government regulated land development


There is need to spend considerable sums to demonstrate a viable development program and for the
design to comply with the regulations
Design, processing, and construction take year to complete yet the project may not necessarily find a
buyer nor become profitable
Decisions must be made relatively quick BUT well-reasoned, despite changing times and competition.

We must address these issues:


-

Understand the site conditions


Recognize the requirements of both the the client and the end user
Comply with various government laws, rules and regulations, at the national, regional, local levels,
including specific site restrictions
Address special problems such as typologies of various activity systems like residential, commercial,
institutional, etc.

We must also address these problems:


-

Shortage of infrastructure
Change of demographics (e.g. affordability)
Growth management problems (NIMBY)
Lack of financing

- Decrease funding source


- Increase in densities
- Rise in cost

As such, we need to:


-

Understand the sit planning process


Evaluate and analyze the site in relation to: user-participants, and dynamics of development process
that affect the project and property market

An expert or team of experts may be needed (partial listing only):


-

Land developer
Lawyer/legal
Planner
Architect/Landscape architect

- Environmental Specialist
- Financiers
- Marketing strategist

- Engineers
- Sales agents
- Builder/Contractor

We must understand the planning process:

Figure 1: Main steps in the planning process


Traditional steps:
-

Programming and feasibility


SITE ANALYSIS
Design (Conceptual, schematic, preliminary site layout, preliminary and final site plans & design)

Figure 2: Design, planning, and programming process

Parameters to consider in programming:


-

Who is the place for (user)?


 Who are the users?
 User Requirements
Vital support habitation fit to live or stay, safe, not prone to disease,
etc.
Sense of Place recognizable, memorable, vivid, engaging
Fit good environment
Access different types, users, modes
Control responsible control, governance issues
Others justice (for all) + cost
Who will decide on the plan (project client)?
 Corporation, board, stakeholders, government, owner, individuals
What are the resources needed to make the plan a reality (resources)?
 Cost, manpower, materials (supply sources)

What is/are the proposed solution/s (plan)?


 Density, scale, size, image, character, etc.
Where is the project being sited (location)?
 SITE CONSIDERATIONS
 Physical characteristics terrain, climate, geology, topography, hydrology,
soil, vegetation, wildlife, etc.)
 Utilities (water, sewage, storm water, solid waste, electricity & power,
emergency services, communications systems, etc.)
 Public services (schools, parks & recreation, health center, etc.)
o SITE Features:
- Ecology
- Soil
- Landscaping
- Human/Vehicular movement
- Adjoining structure

- Landform
- Utilities
- Climate
- Air/Noise

o Land Use Elements


o Circulation (streets, parking, walkways, etc.)
o Open spaces
o Public spaces/facilities and other amenities (within or adjacent)
o Utilities (water, wastewater, power, telecom, etc.)
o Commercial/Institutional spaces (in bigger communities)
o Regulations
 Area specific (subdivision regulation)
 City and municipal (CLUP, Zoning, CDP)
 Provincial and Regional (Physical Framework Plan, etc.)
 National (Medium Term Philippine Development Plan, National Land Use
Plan, Building Codes, etc.)
 Special or sector specific (CARP, Clean Air, Water Act, etc.)
 Site Evaluation & Analysis personal reconnaissance needed to determine
characteristic/features of place (needs systematic collection of data)
 Techniques for Analysis
- Direct observation
- Current events information
- Indirect observation (e.g. past records)
- Formal studies
- Precedents (e.g. previous experience)
- Behavior setting/movement
- Traces (e.g. destroyed curb, flood water lines)
- Images
- Direct communication (e.g. interview)
- Preferences choice, memory

 Planning & Design


 Concept plan (based on programming)
 Preliminary plan (based on site information and analysis)
 Final Plan (based on above synthesis and othe considerations)
 Build-out/Phasing of Development
 Development (one time, in phases)
 Marketing
 Sale (one time, in phases)
 Income objective (early cash flow, long term appreciation, long term income
stream, debt/no debt scenarios, combination)
 Site Selection Criteria (Corporate Requirements)
 Access to skilled or trainable workers
 Access to global market, specific region, outside local market, (to address
potential sales and profitability
 Site with/near transport facilities (for good logistics and cost efficiencies)
 Currency exchange reliability
 Minimal start up and operating costs
 Availability of leasable spaces (for flexibility and reduced cost)
 Site demographics, competitive environment, trade areas
REFERENCES:
Dewberry & Davis (1986). Land Development Handbook: Planning, Engine ering & Surveying.
New York, McGraw Hill, Inc.
Lynch, K. & Hack, G (1986). Site Planning, 3rd Edition. Boston, MIT Press

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