Site analysis is a vital step in the design process that involves evaluating an existing or potential site based on factors like the development program, environmental and community impacts, adjacent properties, budget, and schedule. A well-executed site analysis establishes an essential foundation for a cost effective, environmentally sensitive project. It involves analyzing the site's development potential based on its ability to accommodate the building program while assessing political, environmental, and regulatory issues. Site analysis requires evaluating location, neighborhood context, zoning, legal elements, natural and man-made features, circulation, utilities, sensory components, human/cultural factors, and climate.
2. Site Analysis is a vital step in the design process. It involves the evaluation of an existing or
potential site in relation to:
the development programme,
environmental impact,
impacts on the community
adjacent properties,
project budget
schedule.
environmental constraints and opportunities
developmental constraints and opportunities.
A well-executed site analysis forms the essential foundation for a cost effective,
environmentally sensitive, and rational approach to project development. Analysis of the
building programme and the ability of the site to accommodate it, combined with
assessment of political, environmental and regulatory issues, reveals the development
potential of a parcel of land.
4. One may have defined a building programme and be in search of a site. OR
One may have selected a site and be interested in fitting a development programme to it.
In yet another case one may have a site and programme in hand and be seeking the most
efficient, economical and environmentally sensitive approach to site development.
One may be already owning or considering the purchase of an undeveloped or underdeveloped
property and seeks site analysis to accurately define the general development potential and
market value of the property.
As part of site analysis special studies may be required. Examples are utilities studies, environmental
impact studies, historic resources inventories, and studies of special opportunities such as the
of co-generation plants or solid waste disposal systems.
A good site analysis will enable the client to exploit the full potential of a site. Effective planning and
zoning assistance can maximize the potential for regulatory approvals and significantly reduce the
owner’s risk of economic loss.
Consultants with planning or real estate backgrounds are frequently part of the site analysis team. Other
disciplines normally involved include landscape architects and civil, power and geotechnical
engineers/ other specialists required may include traffic engineers or traffic planners, hydrologists,
economic analysts, environmental or wildlife scientists, archaeologists, historians, real estate
programming specialists.
WHEN DOES ONE NEED A SITE ANALYSIS…??
5. 1. LOCATION
Where is the site located?
How is the site approached?
How far is the major junction?
Are there any traffic and parking issues?
Existing major streets
Landmarks
Aerial photographs help
Documentation of distances and time from major places
Verified by either driving or walking first – hand
6. 2. NEIGHBOURHOOD CONTEXT
Zoning of the neighbourhood as per the municipal planning dept/ master plan.
Observation of architectural patterns
Street lighting
Condition of existing buildings
Immediate surroundings of the site
Reaction of the surrounding buildings towards the site
Analyze movement of people around the site
Landmarks and nodes (Nodes are key public gathering places that encourage people to
linger and socialize
Prominent vision lines / visual linkages
Locally available resources
7. 3. SITE & ZONING
Verify site boundaries by physical measurement or thru the tax accessor’s office
Zoning classification
Set-back requirements
Height restrictions
Allowable site coverage
Uses permitted
Parking requirement
Social and political boundaries
4. LEGAL ELEMENTS
Property description
Present ownership – free hold/lease hold/ lisenciate – by govt or private (POA)
Governmental jurisdiction In which the site is located
8. 5. NATURAL PHYSICAL FEATURES
Topographical features of the site thru contour map
Site drainage
Existing natural features of
Trees – size, type, diameter, height, spread of roots, falling of leaves, water
requirement, soil nourishment. (1 eucalyptus tree consumes almost 500 gallons
of water)
ground cover,
ground texture,
soil type and soil conditions (particularly black cotton soil, clayey soil)
IS4326 codes for construction in sesmic zone IV. Add sand filling at the bottom.
The crack will not advance towards structure. Bands will check vertical spread of
of crack. Have r.c.c. roofing as a diaphragm
rock formations
location of swamps, marshes etc
biological considerations. Promote aqua life. Bio- diversity zone
9. 6. MAN-MADE FEATURES
features located on site such as
buildings
walls
fences
patios
plazas
bus stop shelters
site and location of these features can be directly measured
documentation of existing historical districts/buildings/features should be made
( have a planned city not a planted city)
10. 7. CIRCULATION
make an inventory of streets, roads, alleys, sidewalks & plazas
observe what activities happen on these circulation gateways
promote ground percolation in paved areas.
8. UTILITIES – on or around the site
get a print of the location of government utility lines serving the site:
sewage – residual capacity available for the site at the external source
drainage
potable water supply
electricity supply
solid waste disposal
water hydrants/fire stations – as per population sizes
11. 9. SENSORY COMPONENTS
first hand sketching and photographs (sometime aerial photos)
direst observation of
noise
odour
smoke
pollutant areas nearby
10. HUMAN & CULTURAL COMPONENTS
census statistics of the neighborhood
activities among people on the site and their inter relationships
12. 11. CLIMATIC COMPONENTS
orientation – with respect to - sun path and wind direction
temperature
Average yearly temperature, average monthly temperature, max. and minimum temp range thru the
seasons.
Is it a heating or a cooling climate?
Should solar heat gain be maximized or minimized?
Wind
intensity & direction thru the year
wind direction may vary from place to place inside the site and thus should be checked from a few
different places esp. if the site is large. (book by Ar C.P. Kukreja)
Humidity & Relative humidity
Precipitation and Hydrology
Average annual rainfall
Peak hourly rainfall
Spread of rainfall thru the year
Drainage patterns of site – whether it stagnates or flows along natural slopes
Location of water bodies- ponds, lakes, rivers – if seasonal or perinneal
Depth of Water table
Quality of ground water
HFL - highest flood level – no imp building should be below the HFL
14. SITE
ACCOMODATION
STUDY
THESE ARE TWO OF MANY DRAWINGS
ANALYZING A LARGE PLANTATION LOCATED
NEAR A MAJOR METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY
AST HE SITE FOR A NEW RESIDENTIAL
COMMUNITY
EXAMPLE - 2