GENERAL GUIDELINES

L The general landscape development guidelines should be applied at two levels:

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MASTERPLAN LEVEL
This consists of those projects
DETAILED LANDSCAPE DESIGN
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where the level of intervention is
restricted to large scale
This consists of those
projects where detailed
landscape design is involved.
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landscape site planning
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Planning and design of open spaces should consider the following aspects:
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L • SUSTAINABILITY : Land, vegetation and water
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O sensitive design options may be explored during the
P design stage by incorporating a clear grading, drainage
M and planting strategy while developing the landscape
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concept.

Cut and fill of the land may be minimized while

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locating the built blocks and
circulation spaces. P
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I Gentler slopes with adequate green cover aids in
D erosion control thereby retaining the humus rich

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E top soil.
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I Stormwater runoff within the site may be filtered

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N and either stored or allowed to recharge the
E groundwater table depending on the
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 • ACCESSIBILITY: The planning and design of open spaces may be
accessible for a wide range of users, including pedestrians, cyclist,
L transit riders and those using private modes of transport.
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An ideal public space may be well connected to a surrounding
bus/metro/mass rapid transit system facility or a neighborhood L
street or a regional route.
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• RESILIENCE: Resilience is the ability of a landscape to adapt to change and regain its original
state when subject to shock, such as flooding, drought and pest attack.
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• EASE OF MAINTAINANCE: Ease of maintenance may be regarded as an important
consideration in a well-designed landscape. This may also aid in ensuring savings in energy and
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resources.

DESIGN FOR MAXIMISING USABLE SPACE

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• Landscape elements, such as outdoor furniture, lighting and C
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other required facilities, may be placed sensitively along the
E proposed circulation path with consideration of usage patterns.
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U • Providing shading elements for areas where the community
I gathers in warmer climatic locations, while areas designed for
D public gathering in cold regions may be shielded from wind.
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 • The extent of the paved areas may be restricted to a minimum.
Paved areas may be planned so that they do not restrict any
L natural surface flow of water and nor do they get waterlogged
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during the rainy months.
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DESIGN FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY
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• Hard landscape materials and their details may be worked out so that sharp
corners, injurious edges and easily breakable materials are avoided in the public N
landscape.
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• Level differences in the open spaces may be treated with adequate care so as to
avoid potential fall/injury.(singe step)
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• In areas for smaller children, the number of exits and their placement may be limited S
so that they are easily monitored by parents and guardians.
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• Creation of hidden areas in the landscape should be avoided. The density of
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vegetation and height of the understory planting may be decided so as to keep the
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view-lines clear.
N • Lighting may be done so as to ensure that all usable areas of the landscape are well lit
T and there are no dark spots in the landscapecap

G DESIGN FOR CONTINUITY BETWEEN MULTIPLE PUBLIC OPEN P

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U SPACES AND PARKS
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• Linear parks may be used to provide continuous paths for bicycles and pedestrians.
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I • Commuting or high speed bike lanes may be separated from the pedestrian paths.
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• Signage style and vocabulary along multiple open spaces and parks to guide users G
may be kept consistent for ease of understanding
 PATHWAYS AND PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT CORRIDORS
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• Pedestrian circulation path consists of sidewalks, wheelchair ramp, and landings.
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• Footpaths of minimum width 1.80 m may be provided along the length of road for any public or
private building where pedestrian traffic is expected.
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• All ramps should have minimum width of 1.20 m, excluding edge protection. The cross slope of
ramp should not exceed 1 in 50 and the longitudinal slope of ramp may not exceed 1 in 12.
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L • The landing may have the minimum width as that of the ramp. The landing may be minimum 1.50 m
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in length.
• Handrails may be provided for any ramp with a vertical height greater than 150 mm, to prevent
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pedestrians and wheelchair users slipping from the ramp
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PATHWAYS AND PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT CORRIDORS
• Kerbs may be provided on the edges of the driveways to P
adequately control drainage within the road, prevent
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I moisture from entering the sub-grade, separate the road
D from the pedestrian area.

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E • Roads should provide clear access to fire fighting
L vehicles, ambulance, sanitation vehicles, etc, and also
I allow for safe movement for vehicles, pedestrians and
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wheelchair users.
• Provision for pedestrian crossing.
• Benches, shelters, poles, signs, bus stops, etc, may be
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located on edge of the sidewalk with clear minimum width
of 1.20 m to enable unhindered pedestrian circulation.
 PLANT MATERIAL

L Plant material is a very important component of landscape development, and planting

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design is integral to any landscape plan.
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C EVERGREEN TREES DECIDIOUS TREES A
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1) For places requiring shade 1) For greater visual variety
P 2) As partial visual barrier
throughout the year
E 3) For areas where under-planting
2) For strong visual screening
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3) As part of windbreak or shelter
4) For areas where leaf litter is to be
discouraged.
is to be encouraged (for
example, grass)
4) For emphasis on branching and
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flowering pattern, and 5) For
areas where shade is not S
required throughout the year.
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P GROWTH HABITS OF VARIOUS KINDS OF VEGETATION AND THEIR C
M FORM
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The overall physical form of a plant is usually the result of the foliage density and branching
pattern.
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U TREES OF
I TALL TREES WITH TREES OF TREES OF WEEPING
FASTIGIATED OR HABIT
D BROAD CANOPY SPREADING HABIT
COLUMNAR HABIT
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Polyathia longifolia Dalbergia sissoo Delonix regia Callistemon lanceolatus
(Ashok) (Sheesham) (Gulmohar) (Bottle brush)
 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS OF PLANT MATERIAL
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Leaf size and shape Leaf texture Leaf and foliage L
colour
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• large leaves
• bold foliage
• play of light
and shade on
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texture the foliage
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Plumeria acutifolia (Temple tree)
Ficus infectoria (Pilkhan)
FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS OF DESIGN WITH PLANTS
Plant materials in landscape design may be used to,

a) improve existing environmental conditions with respect to soil, drainage,

microclimate, air pollution;

b) create a designed physical environment through the organization of open

space; and

c) interpret and express the contemporary understanding of the man-nature

relationship, that is, design with plants on an ecological rather than horticultural
basis.

CHOOSING OF PLANT MATERIAL

The factors determining choice of plant materials may be thus summarized as follows:

a) Environmental conditions existing on site :These include climatic, soil characteristics,

water table, etc.

b) Functions which plant material has to fulfill in specific situations on a given site: These
may be either environmental functions (pertaining to improvement of soil conditions,
modification or microclimate, etc) or design functions (relating to creating spaces enclosure,
framing views, providing visual relief, etc).

c) Physical characteristics and growth requirements of plant material The former include
foliage density, foliage texture, leaf size and shape, flower colour, rooting characteristics, etc.
The latter include moisture requirements, whether the plant grows in sunny or shaded
conditions, etc