FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Site Analysis Requirements

A Step by Step Guide to Better Designed Development

Prepared By : Max Osman

Editing By : Mehrtash Sedghi
Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment
Interior Architecture & Interior Design Department
 Step 1 :Establish the Development Context

• Designing a building is like getting

married!. Before you marry the chosen
one, first you have to do a background
check!
• Development projects without analysis of
how the proposal relates to its context
often result in unnecessarily consequent
and difficulties.
 The development context involves:
• Planning and Development Objectives of
the Site Clarifying the Development Plan
requirements.
• Relationship of the Site to the Local
Environment
• Understanding issues about a locality's
identity and character, the streetscape
and the relationship of the site to it's
environment.
Relationship of the Site to Adjoining Properties :

The relationship of the proposed development to its

neighbors is of critical importance and must take
into account factors extending beyond the site.
Physical Characteristics of the Site

The arrangement of buildings and spaces on a site will

influence the building 'footprint', private open space,
semi-public open space, setbacks for amenity, street
appearance, existing shade trees, access and parking,
and services and facilities.
 Step 2: Understand the Site
• Understanding the site is critical in
refining and shaping the eventual
development. A site analysis process will
help this understanding.
• It enables both on-site and off-site
constraints and opportunities to be
identified.
 Step 2

• A Site Analysis Plan will vary depending

on the nature of the development, the
size of the site and the prevailing context.
Step 2
• The site analysis establishes the
development context, identifying and
explaining graphically :
1. The key influences on the design; and
2. How the proposed development will relate
to the immediate surroundings
How the proposed development will relate to the immediate surroundings

• Reference to street character is also

important. Street character can provide
important clues for successful integration
and may influence site layout, landscape,
alignment of the design of the proposed
development in relation to the
streetscape.
 Step 3: Prepare a Site Analysis Plan
• A Site Analysis Plan is a critical tool in the
design and assessment of development
applications.
• A Site Analysis Plan must be to scale and
should identify development
opportunities and constraints.
• It should be used to influence the design
of a development, to minimise negative
impacts and compliment neighbourhood
character.
• Example of Site analysis
• Example of Solar Study in Site analysis
• Site analysis with study on existing
vegetation and accessibility to site
• Site analysis
with Vehicular
study
• Site Analysis studying the pro and cons
of existing facilities
• Site analysis studies potential of site, and
propose possible solutions
• Arial Photography of site
Step 3
• A Site Analysis Statement prepared by the
applicant explaining how the design has
responded to the Site Analysis Plan will greatly
assist the design and assessment processes,
resulting in a significant improvement in the
quality of the development and should
accompany the Site Analysis Plan.
 Step 3
• During the site analysis process:
1. Identify issues to consider in the design
process; and
2. The design elements applicable to the
particular development should be
identified following the site analysis
process and these elements should
guide the design process.
 Analysis Checklist
• Site Analysis Plan Checklist :

• contours (and geo-technical conditions where

appropriate)
• existing vegetation including significant trees
• buildings (including any that are to be retained)
• views to and from the site
• access and connection points

cont’d
Analysis Checklist
Site Analysis Plan Checklist :

• drainage and services *

• orientation, microclimate and noise sources
• contaminated soils and filled areas (if relevant) *
• fences, boundaries and easements *
• other notable feature
 Surrounding Environment Checklist

• location and use of adjacent and

neighbouring buildings and out-buildings
• abutting private open spaces and
habitable room windows which have
outlooks toward the site *
• views and solar access
• major trees and vegetation
• heritage characteristics *
 Surrounding Environment Checklist
• location and height of walls built to the site
boundary *
• characteristics of any adjacent and nearby
development, including characteristic and
styles
• street frontage features such as service
poles,street trees, kern crossovers,and other
services
• built form and character of adjacent and
nearby development, and characteristic styles
• building levels *
 Site Analysis Plan
• A typical Site Analysis
Plan might look like the
plan on the right. It
may also identify any
important character
attributes of the
adjacent existing
development.