(SITE PLANNING AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE)

PREPARED BY: SCOTT ANDREW SERRANO

▪ “Good planning and design will be the product of a
process which respects both nature of man and the
nature of nature” --Elizabeth Kassler.
▪ The criteria for housing, recreation facilities, and use
areas have assumed a great deal about the nature of
man. We consider how social and psychological theory
may present constraints or positive direction in
decision making and the development of form at all
scales of landscape architecture.
a. Site values/Social Impacts
b. Behavior Settings
- Physical factors
- Physiological factors
- Psychological factors
▪ Site value is the unimproved value of your land, which means it excludes capital
improvements such as buildings.
▪ Social impacts is the consequences to human populations of any public or private
actions that alter the ways in which people live, work, play, relate one another, organize
to meet their needs, and generally cope as members of the society. Examples to be
examined are:
▪ Migration of population and resettlement
▪ Utilization of land and local resources
▪ Existing infrastructures
▪ Cultural heritage
▪ Local conflict of interests
▪ Communicable diseases
The interaction between human
behavior and the nonhuman
environment is a two-way process. On
the one hand, the environment has a
definite impact on the individual, and
our response may be adapt to the
imposed conditions. On the other
hand, we are continually
manipulating or choosing our
physical surroundings in any attempt
to make a life physically and
psychologically more comfortable.
IN DESIGN WE ARE CONCERNED WITH THREE
CATEGORIES OF HUMAN FACTORS:
PHYSICAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL, AND
PSYCHOLOGICAL
Analysis of average measurements and
postures, movement, and growth results
in a set of dimensions for parts of
building and detailed landscape design.
A door must be high enough to allow
people to pass through without stooping,
seats must be at the right level and
inclination to be comfortable etc.. Design
details derived from purely visual
considerations may or may not fulfill the
condition fit for user.
Human physiological needs are also
relatively easy to specify. They result
from interaction of the inner biological
condition of an individual with the
surrounding environment. People need
food, water, air, exercise and protection.
A state of heath or disease may be
regarded as an expression of the success
or failure of an organism to respond
adaptively to the environment changes.
Need can be fulfilled through the
provision of nutritious food, clean air,
adequate and pure water, in addition to
the elimination of disease with the
effective physical environment which
allow for control of cold and heat.
Human psychological needs and
perception of the environment differ
according to a multitude of variables
including age, social class, cultural
background, past experience and
motives, and daily routine of the
individual. These factors influence and
differentiate the need structures of
individuals and groups. Even if the same
need is identified, the overall behavior is
likely to be different.
Some psychological are stronger than the
others, and our need structure changes
according to the particular situation.
The basic human inner condition may be classified into five
generalized groupings of motivational forces and
psychological needs: (1) social, (2) stabilizing, (3)
individual, (4) self-expression, and (5) enrichment.
There is inevitably overlap and potential conflicts among
categories
The first group of social needs, includes
the need of the individual for social
interaction, for group affiliation, for
companionship, and for love. Together with
these goes the more subtle need to be
needed and to be sustained by others and
by implication the need for the protection
of other people. The family group and the
peer group are obvious manifestations of
these needs. it is clear then that wherever
the environment is meant for people or
where the purpose of the design is not
contrary to the fulfillment of these social
needs, it should characteristically have a
societal form designed to draw people
together, to engender social relationships
or at least to make this possible.
The second set of needs have been called
stabilizing needs. We have anteed to be
free from fear, anxiety and danger. And we
have a need for clear orientation, a need to
develop and to hold a clear philosophy in
life., a need to order and organize the
environment a hope to have a say in its form
and content through democratic process.
The concept of advocacy planning (self-help
and self-determination) is to an extent
related to this desire for stability through
participation in decisions concerning one’s
own local environment.
The third group is described as individual needs.
Some of these overlap orate similar to needs of
self-expression. Here we recognize the need of
people ascertain moments in their experience and
development of self-awareness to be utterly alone
in a period of time, the need of privacy. The
possibility of privacy today in urban environment
becomes more remote The design environment
should make privacy a possibility. This is most
likely achieved by the dwelling itself. Privacy also
may be attainable by designing the outdoor
environment to create areas less accessible to
direct use by urban population yet within minutes
from it.
The last group of human need is called
enrichment needs. People(especially children)
have a thirst for knowledge. Self-realization and
personal creativity, and, it seems, a strong need for
beauty and aesthetic experience. Human
enrichment needs, then, seem to require the
provision of information about the environment so
that our understanding of what we see may be
increased in detail. The environment should not
only be beautiful itself but it also should provide
the possibility for creativity in the form of
environmental manipulation or simply in the
provision of opportunities within some kind of
open space or recreation program.
c. User Requirements
d. Cultural/Historical significance
Landscape design should enhance the
quality of the user’s experience. It’s
important to remember that
landscape design is primarily for the
benefit of people. High-traffic urban
locations typically require more
hardscape materials and areas for
social interaction. Plazas, college
campuses, retail centers, and transit
stations need to accommodate both
pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Contrastingly, parks, decorative
courtyards, and country clubs benefit
from more natural greenspaces.
 Proximity also falls into user requirements as it requires the
site to have access into different building types to satisfy the
need of the users.
The study of human body
measurement for use in
anthropological classification
and comparison.
The anthropometrics of the
person is also a
consideration especially for
the physically disabled
people.
“If a user is unable to access certain areas, these spaces
become irrelevant and wasted, Universal design is the
principle of designing for all users, regardless of age or
ability. Landscape design is intended to enhance the
quality of the user’s experience outdoors. This would
include patio and pathway circulation, ground-cover
transitions, and lighting to ensure safety for all ages.”

- D’ Artois
“A city can grow in wealth and
population, but its unique heritage,
both built and cultural, is what sets it
apart from other urban centers and
adds to its quality of life.”
Cultural mapping evolves the
identification and recording of an
area’s of indigenous cultural resources
for the purpose of a social, economic
and cultural development.

The identified values of place and

culture can provide the foundations
for cultural tourism and planning
and eco-tourism strategies,
thematic architectural planning and
cultural industries development.
Through this law, the State endeavors
to create a balanced atmosphere
where the historic past co-exists in
harmony with modern society, and to
administer the heritage resources in a
spirit of stewardship for the inspiration
and benefit of the present and future
generations.
This act also mandates that any
government or non-government
infrastructure project or architectural
site development shall include
anthropological, archaeological,
historical and heritage site
conservation concerns in their
Environmental Impact Assessment
System.
In analyzing a site’s cultural and
historical background, it is also
important to identify and classify the
people who reside around the
neighborhood or within the vicinity.

It is important to consider the following

factors:
- Population density, age, and ethnicity
- Household size, income, and
composition
Three demographics processes:

1. Fertility
2. Mortality
3. Migration
Campus plan or other large project may
have a meaningful background that in
fluences future expansion. It is then
pertinent to ask “Will historic factors be
of consequence to the project?” The
history of these projects should be
investigated and shown graphically so
that the relevant influences may be
considered in the design phase. The
investigation may show, for example, that
specific buildings should be preserved
within the redevelopment of a campus, as
should also be reviewed to see if artifacts
are present and need to be preserved.
Social Factors have a broad range of
effects on community facilities and
services. Sometimes new facilities
displace homes, businesses, or other
community activities. For example, a
new highway may cut through an area
severing its cohesion by creating
visual or physical barriers and
affecting business and property
values.
e. Activity/Communication Linkages
f. Pertinent Laws
While studying the location of
the site and its relation to
adjacent properties and to the
community, all existing ties or
linkages, if any, should be
specified. Linkages may involve
the movement of people, goods,
communication, or amenities.
Community facilities such as
nearby shopping centers,
employment hubs, residential
areas churches, school, parks,
and playgrounds should be
inventoried in relation to the
site. Determine whether
adequate linkages exist, and, if
not, decide how they can be
established or improved by
future development.
Traffic and Transit
In inventorying existing vehicular
networks, trips---including their
origin and destination, purpose, time
of the day, and volume—should be
considered. Graphically plot
transportation systems and their
location or routes when they are
available. Check the volume of traffic
or frequency of flights to determine
whether additional routes are
necessary. If sites are within 15 miles
of airports, check noise zones and
building height restrictions for airport
hazard.
Density
Density is an important
sociological and legal element
in most types of development. In
residential development, it is
expressed in numbers of
families or dwelling units per
acre. Density may also influence
privacy, freedom of movement,
or social contact among people.
Several laws and considerations
must be taken into action before
establishing and preparing a
site for future constructions.
Land use is a generic term without a
universal definition. Land use may
refer to many things; it may refer to
buildings or the occupants, it may refer
to the questions pertaining to the
occupancies of the land, and it may also
refer to the kind of activities occur on
the land. Land use simply refers to the
function of land, particularly what it’s
being used for. Land use is a process of
organizing the use of land to meet
occupant’s needs while respecting the
capabilities of the land.
Zoning refers to municipal or
local laws or regulations that
govern how real property can
and cannot be used in certain
geographic areas. For example,
zoning laws can limit
commercial or industrial use of
land in order to prevent oil,
manufacturing, or other types of
businesses from building in
residential neighborhoods.
Zoning designations more
specifically define and regulate
what kinds of uses are allowed
on specific parcels and
outline design and development
requirements and guidelines.
It defines the rules that govern
what and where people and
institutions can and cannot build
in our cities, suburbs, and towns.
Zoning tells us how tall our
houses can be and how far our
houses need to be away from
the street. The purpose of
zoning is to protect and
conserve the value of land use.
The Housing and Land Use
Regulatory Board (HLURB) is a
national government agency
tasked as the planning,
regulatory and quasi-judicial
body for land use development
and real estate and housing
regulation. These roles are done
via a triad of strategies namely,
policy development, planning
and regulation.
Laws that ensure rational land use and sustainable urban and regional development

Executive Order No. 72 – providing for the preparation and implementation of the
Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) of Local Government Units pursuant to the
Local Government Code of 1991 and other pertinent laws.
Memorandum Circular No. 54 – prescribing the guidelines of Sec. 20, R.A. 7160,
authorizing cities/municipalities to reclassify lands into non-agricultural uses.
Executive Order No. 124 – establishing priorities and procedures in evaluating areas
for land conversion in regional agricultural/industrial centers, tourism development
areas and sites for socialized housing.
(SITE PLANNING AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE)

PREPARED BY: SCOTT ANDREW SERRANO

a. Site Context
b. Image/Symbols
In terms of the built environment,
'context' can refer to the
conditions which surround a
particular site or project, and to
which it should relate and connect
to in some way. The buildings and
structures that make up the built
environment do not exist in
isolation but are conceived and
designed in order to respond to,
support and enhance their
surroundings.
With the notion of context come
connotations of the existing
fabric, the locality, tradition and
the vernacular. By embedding
the intentions of a design within
the essence of its surroundings,
a connection linking new and
old can be made, creating or
maintaining a metaphysical
‘place’.
▪ The topography of the area.
▪ The site’s history and previous uses.
▪ Local culture.
▪ Architectural style.
▪ Local materials and construction techniques.
▪ Weather and microclimate.
▪ Political conditions.
▪ National and local policy.
▪ The state of the economy.

These factors can be analyzed, adapted and adopted to make a proposed development 'fit'
into its context. This can give meaning to different aspects of a project through reference to its
wider surroundings.
“Contextualism, or contextual
architecture, is a principle of
design in which a structure is
designed in response to its
specific urban and natural
environment.”
An important part of the architecture
site analysis process is presentation,
and the need to be able to
successfully represent and present the
findings and results via varied
architectural presentation methods
and styles.
In almost all instances, one of the most
effective methods of site analysis
presentation is to include a map
based diagram or drawing, with
graphic and symbol overlays to show
the sites characteristics and features.
Graphic’s are best described as a
pictorial descriptions or designs that are
presented on a surface such as a piece
of paper, floor or wall, aiming to
describe and illustrate a meaning.
This method of representation amongst
many other uses can be used to present
data in an eye-catching and easily
comprehendible manner that may
otherwise be indigestible. It allows its
audience to absorb information through
combined imagery, text, illustration and
color, creating the ability to turn what
could be quite dry information into
something very appealing.
Lines should be used to show:

▪ Boundaries (site and ownership)

▪ Buildings (existing, proposed,
demolition)
▪ Landscape typology (contours)
▪ Service locations (electrical,
telephone, drainage, water)
Arrows should be used to show:

▪ Access (vehicle and pedestrian)

▪ Right of way (public and private)
▪ Views (looking out and looking in)
▪ Circulation (movement)
▪ Travel (routes)
Dotted & Colored Volumes should be
used to show:

▪ Areasof interest (water bodies,

woodland, vegetation, monument)
▪ Zoning (attractive and restricted
areas)
▪ Regulations (TPO’s, listings etc..)
▪ Ecology (protected areas)
Weather Symbols should be
used to show:

▪ Sun patterns (orientation and

seasonal variation)
▪ Wind patterns (prevailing
direction)
Vegetation Symbols should be
used to show:

▪ Important species (mature and

protected)
▪ Important areas (woodland,
meadow, heathland etc.)
c. Sensuous Qualities
d. Vocabulary of Space
Sensuous is believed to have been
created by John Milton in 1641 to mean
relating to the senses instead of the
intellect. Anything that is pleasing to the
senses can be called sensuous. Sensuous
describes anything that feels,
tastes, smells, looks, or sounds good.
There are sensuous qualities, which can
make or break the aesthetics of our
designs. These are:Vision, Hearing,
Touch, and Taste and Smell
The most dominant sense in majority
of people is our sight. We can’t stop
ourselves to look at what we find
beautiful. It is as if the light that
reflects from the beautiful design acts
as a magnet for our eyes.
Visual aesthetics have these key
elements: Color, Shape, Pattern, Line,
Texture,
Visual weight, Balance, Scale,
Proximity and Movement. Using these
elements well will help us achieve
good visual aesthetics.
In site planning, this could be in the
colors and shapes of the plants, the
pattern of the site design, the
materials that we use, the
enframement of views.
Our ears are capable of
perceiving a whole another level
of aesthetic design. The ability to
hear
the water element in the design or
the rustle of the leaves as the wind
pass by or of powerful
ocean waves near the site. This is
the power of sound aesthetics..
Sound aesthetics have these key
elements: Loudness, Pitch, Beat,
Repetition, Melody, Pattern
and Noise. Using them well will
create enjoyable “music” for our
users.
The skin is the largest organ in
human body. It also helps us
experience aesthetics. Material
aesthetics are especially
important for physical products.
The materials that we use in the
development can be powerful
stuff that would draw in the users:
plants, furniture, pavements, and
walls have different effects when
touched.
Material aesthetics key elements
are: Texture, Shape, Weight,
Comfort, Temperature, Vibration
and Sharpness.
Taste and Smell are senses that
help us experience aesthetics
even more deeply. In different
environmental designs, these
senses play an important role in
experiencing aesthetics.
Key elements are: Sweetness,
freshness and aroma . Use these
elements when possible to
enhance the full picture, so our
users can feel the aesthetics
even deeper.
Taste and Smell are senses that
help us experience aesthetics
even more deeply. In different
environmental designs, these
senses play an important role in
experiencing aesthetics.
Key elements are: Sweetness,
freshness and aroma . Use these
elements when possible to
enhance the full picture, so our
users can feel the aesthetics
even deeper.
Blend in the natural features on-
site as a part of the new
development.
- Landforms
- Streams
- Ponds
- Woods
Consider a vista, space or view
to be produced as a part of the
design of the site.
Vocabulary of space pertains to
the sensuous forms of the site
these may include;
- Ground form
- Ground Texture
- Water
- Plant Material
- Detail
- Visual Structure
In an urban area, space may be
defined by man-made
structures, in less dense
development by the basic
natural materials: rock, earth,
water and plant cover. The
configuration of the floor is
determined by the existing
topography whose modeling
must be thoroughly understood
before work begins.
The textural finish of the ground
can be a source of delight in itself.
It can also set a general visual
character and scale. The texture of
the floor imparts sensations of
touch as well as sight. The pattern
of surface activity can be
expressed in textural pattern and
such differentiations play a role in
guiding and controlling the
activity: distinguishing roads and
footpaths, bicycle, and car stalls,
drainage tunnels, play areas or
spots for standing and sitting.
Water is equally elemental—
simple nature but extremely
varied in effect. The very
number of descriptive terms in
the common language indicates
its potential richness in design.
Moving water gives a sense of
life. Still water conveys unity and
rest and may be used to clarify a
plan.
Site planning is thought to be
the spotting of tress on a plan
after houses and roads have
been located there but in
architecture terms it is the
organization of outdoor space in
which the plant cover is only
one element.
Plants are one of the
fundamental landscape
materials. Planting is considered
the “extra” in site development,
the first item to be cut when the
budget pinches.
A site includes many man-made
details. Their number becomes
apparent when we try to catalog
the furniture of some existing
area: fences, seats, signal, boxes,
signs, light poles, meters, trash
cans, fireplugs, man holes, wires,
lights and so on. It is obvious
that the mere list conveys a
sense of clutter and disharmony.
Perceiving an environment is
creating a visual hypothesis,
building an organized mental
image that is based on the
experience and purposes of the
observer as well as stimuli
reaching his eye. In building his
organization he will seize on
congenial physical characteristics:
continuity, closure, differentiation,
dominance, contrast of a figure on
a ground, symmetry, order,
repetition or simplicity of form.