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ENVIRONMENTAL AND GEOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING DEVELOPMENT

CONTENTS Geographical and climatic influences

Geological influences

part from economic and political influences, the considerations determining choice of site may be
classified as:

Geographical and climatic influences Geological

influences

These sub-divisions are not always absolutely distinct and the same factors may be grouped and
considered in both sections, depending on attitude and the reason for making the study. Inevitably,
as with most things, compromises must be made, and it is in this exercise of professional judgment and
the balancing of sometimes conflicting interests that skill is needed.

GEOGRAPHICAL AND CLIMATIC INFLUENCES

Latitude — the relative distance from the equator is the chief factor affecting the length of day and
night in different parts of the world. Between the English Channel and the Shetland Islands there is a
difference of over 10° of latitude. At midsummer in the Shetlands there is still twilight at midnight,
whilst the midwinter day is barely five hours long. In the south of England the sun has a maximum
altitude in summer of about 60°, while in mid-winter the maximum angle of the sun with the
horizontal is only about 15°.

Altitude is height above mean sea level. Contours (lines joining land of equal height) are shown on
many maps issued by the Ordnance Survey, and spot heights are also shown.

Generally in Great Britain areas above the 250 m contour are wetter and cooler and have poorer
soils than lower lands, and are less populated in consequence. Below 250 m, however, the high sites
are generally healthier than those near sea level.

Broken ground and slopes

More important than actual height is the relative change in the height of the surrounding land. Broken
ground, in which changes of level are frequent, is usually unsuitable for development even when well
below 250 m.

Slopes affect the natural drainage, with surface water running off at right angles to the contour nes at
a speed varying with the gradient. If more than 1 in 7, the run-off may cause wash-outs
or gullying after heavy rain, especially with loose and granular soils.

A steeply sloping site involves additional expense for foundations and walling, even when the
airrdirection of the .plan runs parallel with the contours. If a building is on the downward side