COURSE NAME: ARP 301

DESCRIPTIVE TITLE: PLANNING 1 – SITE PLANNING AND LANDSCAPE ARCH.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The artistic and functional arrangement of buildings, open spaces,
service areas, circulation and other external areas; techniques in the enhancement and
design of exterior environments.
COURSE OUTCOMES:
At the end of the course, the student should be able to:
1. Explain the art of site planning & landscape architecture, exposition on their principles
and methods of construction.
2. Describe the ecological, social, psychological, aesthetic & functional basis of site
planning.
3. Relate the social issues & implications of site planning.
4. To relate history & planning theories to ecology and sustainable development.

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO SITE PLANNING AND LANDSCAPE ARCH.

In site planning, as in other forms of problem-solving, the critical thinking process of

research, analysis and synthesis makes a major contribution to the formation of design decisions.
● Research material may be gathered from existing projects, books photographs, or
experiments. A program is then formulated and the elements required to develop the
project is listed.
● Analysis of the site shall consider all existing features, both natural and man-made in
order to determine those inherent qualities that give a site its ‘personality’. A
topographical analysis is mandatory. Emphasis should be made on the site’s relationship
with the total environment and its special values or potentials.

LESSON 1: WHAT IS SITE PLANNING?

According to Kevin Lynch & Gary Hack (1984), Site Planning is the art and science of
arranging the structures on the land and shaping the spaces between, an art of arranging uses of
land linked to architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, and city planning.
Site plans locate objects and activities in SPACE and TIME. These plans may concern a
small cluster of houses, a single building and its grounds, or something as extensive as a small
community built in a single operation.
In addition, Harvey M. Rubenstein (1980) defines site planning as the art and science of
arranging the uses of portions of land. These uses are designated in detail by selecting and
analyzing sites, forming land use plans, organizing vehicular and pedestrian circulation,
developing visual form and material concepts, readjusting the existing landforms by design
grading, providing proper drainage, and developing the construction details necessary to carry
out the projects.
In line with, some authors stated that site planning is the allocation of functions in a
piece of land to derive efficient utilization of resources at disposal. Useful spaces with respect to
functions are being created in the process and the character of site is accentuated.
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Site Planning in Relation to Environment and Quality of Life
Site planning is the organization of the external physical environment to accommodate
human behavior. It deals with the qualities and locations of structures, land, activities and living
things. It creates a pattern of those elements in space and time, which will be subject to
continuous future management and change.
o Spirit of place o Nature of the project
o Character of the place o Behavioral studies

No matter sites are large or small; they must be viewed as part of the total environment.

Site Planning in Relation to Professionals

Site Planners designate the uses of land in
detail by selecting and analyzing sites, forming land
use plans, organizing vehicular and pedestrian
circulation, designing visual form and materials
concepts, readjusting the existing landforms by design
grading, providing proper drainage, and finally
developing the construction details necessary to carry
out their projects.
Site planning is professionally exercised
directly by landscape architects, but there are related
professions involved which are architects, urban and
regional planners, and engineers.
Fig. 1a: Site Planning in Relation to Professionals
On larger commissions the landscape architect
often serve as a member of a closely coordinated professional team, which includes architects,
engineers, planners, and scientist-advisors.

LESSON 2: BRIEF HISTORY: FOUR BASIC MODELS OF SITE PLANNING IN HISTORY

1. Fixing the Place

2. Defining the Enclosure
3. Sense of Order
4. The Form of Axial

Figure 1c: Fixing the

Space: The image and form
of the object building are
capable of fixing a place
(Mont St. Michael & Villa
Rotunda).

Figure 1b: Four Basic Models of Site

Planning in History
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 Figure 1d: Defining the Enclosure: A collection of independent structures, which although unattached, create a coherent
image of place.

Figure 1e: Sense of Order: The form of a building Figure 1f: The Form of Axial: Although the kinetic implications of
can be such that a place may be fixed by the the word “ path” are somewhat contradictory, paths are nonetheless
enclosure of the facades. capable of forming coherent, meaningful images.

LESSON 3: THE PURPOSE OF SITE PLANNING

○ To learn and practice a logical method of fitting design programs and sites
harmoniously.
○ To understand interaction of following factors in design process.
i. Natural factors (landscape),
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 ii. Socio-economic forces (planning), and
iii. Technological functions (architecture & engineering)
○ To understand the site development process by observing natural and human factors
affecting the form and appearance of the environment.
○ To collect information and data concerning planning or design issue
○ To classify and analyze the data.
○ To make recommendations for issues at hand.
○ To draw up guidelines for planning, architecture and landscape disciplines.

LESSON 4: THE LAYERS OF SITE PLANNING AND SITE PLANNING PROCESS

● THE LAYERS OF SITE PLANNING

 Mass and Space
 Zoning
 Circulation
 Service and Maintenance

● SITE PLANNING PROCESS

The site design process is divided up into three phases
 Research
 Analysis
Fig. 1g: The Layers of Site Planning
 Synthesis
Above three phases are divided into the eight chronological steps in the design process.

Research phase
The first step is defining the problem & its definition, usually taken care of by Architect.

Analysis phase
The next step involves integrating site and use functions. Numerous site elements related
to site view, access, shape, surroundings, etc. are being studied and analyzed.

Synthesis phase
After analysis, a program is developed as a solution to problem at hand. This phase deals
with schematic design of a site plan.
i. Chronology of steps after synthesis.
ii. Developed designs and a detailed cost estimate.
iii. Preparation of construction documents for the plan
iv. Bidding and contracting for the project.
v. Construction
vi. Occupation and management of the site.
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 THE MODEL OF SITE PLANNING PROCESS

Figure 1h: The Model of Site Planning Process

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 THE FLOW CHART OF DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

Figure 1i: The Flow chart of Development Process

REFERENCES:
1. Site Planning, Third Edition 3rd Edition - Kevin Lynch & Gary Hack, 1984.
2. A Guide to Site and Environmental Planning - Harvey M Rubenstein, 1980.
3. Site Planning - Lynch, Kevin (Latest Edition).
4. Site Planning Standards - De Chiara & Koppelman.

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