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 - Decrease funding source - Change of demographics (e.g. affordability) - Increase in densities - Growth management problems (NIMBY) - Rise in cost - Lack of financing 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 - Environmental Specialist - Engineers - Lawyer/legal - Financiers - Sales agents - Planner - Marketing strategist - Builder/Contractor - Architect/Landscape architect

We must understand the planning process: Traditional steps: - Programming and feasibility - SITE ANALYSIS - Design (Conceptual, schematic, preliminary site layout, preliminary and final site plans & design)

Figure 1: Main steps in the planning 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)

Figure 2: Design, planning, and programming process

- 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 - Landform

- Soil - Utilities

- Landscaping - Climate

- Human/Vehicular movement - Air/Noise

- Adjoining structure

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