Site Analysis Framework
Site Analysis Framework
Site Analysis Framework
In many respects site analysis is the most important step in the successful site design
process.
The Site Analysis should work to collect and present a range of information for the site
setting.
Identify site limitations or issues further into the planning and design process.
Site analysis are usually conducted in two phase
A proposal phase site analysis or site observation
Site characterization or detailed site analysis
Site analysis consists two major analysis and they are:
Landscape based analysis
o Environmental categories
o Infrastructural categories
People based analysis
o Economical categories
o Socio-cultural categories
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1. Environmental Categories
The environmental factors are categorized in the following five groups: climate, geology,
hydrology, topography, and vegetation. The proposed site analysis framework presents these
groups as five separate categories, each of which contains several important factors. They may
overlap and interact with others in the same or different categories.
The Climate Category: the climate category analyzes several important weather factors, which
are based on standard data sets and widely accepted methods. The following issues should be
considered in the climate category:
Atmospheric Pressure Relative Humidity
Broadband Turbidity Total Sky Cover
Temperature (annual, monthly, Visibility
weekly, daily if available) Wind Direction
Rainfalls (annual, monthly) Wind Speed
Radiation Values (direct / diffuse)
The Geology Category: the geology category analysis consists of soil type analysis and the
examination of certain trace/slope elements in the soil. On-site geological formations or bodies
of water can be desirable or undesirable, depending on their specific characteristics, because
natural elements within the soil and water are often difficult to change. These issues should be
considered holistically.
Geological analysis of sub-surface conditions can benefit the design process, because it can
identify good bedrock and preferred soil foundations, as well as certain trace elements in the soil,
such as zinc, fluorine, selenium, and molybdenum, which can endanger the health of residents
through radiation or consumption of food grown in soil with these elements. Scientific
measurements show that more than sixty elements exist in similar average proportions in both
human blood and the earth’s shell. These results indicate that humans have maintained harmony
with the earth over the centuries; thus, unbalanced mineral composition is harmful and can lead
to certain diseases.
Geological analysis should includes two analyses to illustrate the geological category of the
project site. One is the soil type analysis based on regulations and building codes on soil ratings
and this analysis analyze the suitability of the soil for the planned project and provide detailed
descriptions of soil analysis. The other analysis is erosion; here highly concerned with erosion
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that land developments should avoid potential erosion areas and this analysis should consider
texture, rock content, permeability, structure, and slope affect the potential erosion.
Considering the analyzed existing condition of the project site (areas with low potential erodible
soils and moderate-potential erodible soils with gentle slopes) and the designer should need to
decide on action to be taken and selective suitable areas for his program.
The Hydrology Category: since sunlight, air, and water resources are essential to life, a similar
analysis for hydrological data can help designers avoid areas with hard water that is rich in
sodium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. In addition, hydrological analysis should account for
watersheds and flood plains. Most zoning codes have requirements about avoiding the flood
plain. Water bodies, such as ponds, fountains, and streams, can affect the microclimate of a site
by normalizing extreme temperatures.
The Topography Category: more than any other factor, the topographic features affect the
microclimate of a site. Generally, designers review land evaluation and selection from many
alternatives in a region. Although many sites in a region have similar climate conditions,
deviations in a microclimate, formed by different smaller scale land patterns, are highly
important. If a site does not offer an ideal location, it is possible to improve less favorable areas
to make them more suitable.
Because so many land patterns can influence a microclimate, the major factors in the topography
category include elevation, slope, aspects, surface color, and reflectivity. This study considers
these factors and their relations with geologic and climatic factors. The topographical analysis
includes elevation, hillshade, slope, and aspect analyses and it identifies suitable areas and
suggests actions to be taken in the topography.
The Vegetation Category: there are two reasons to analyze vegetation. First, since plants are
specific to a particular environment, the history, pattern, and distribution of plants can provide
more accurate information than the information about soil, water, and climate. Traditionally, land
where crops and grasses can easily grow indicates that human inhabitants can survive and
prosper, because they have adequate sources of nutrition.
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Secondly, vegetation on a site can be an important factor because it can influence the
microclimate by changing the speed and pattern of the air movement, temperature, humidity,
solar radiation, and the quality of the air. In the winter, vegetation is also beneficial, because it
blocks the winds that remove heat from the home. However, it is not always desirable to have
trees too close to the house, because some varieties can damage foundations, clog drainage lines,
and block gutters with leaves.
The vegetation inventory/analysis takes tree coverage information into consideration. The goal is
to protect native plants and maintain large open space covered with vegetation. Vegetation
patterns and heights can also be used to analyze their impacts on microclimate, such as providing
shades or blocking winter winds to adjust a site to a comfort zone condition and also should
analyze the negative impact or ecosystem disservice if any.
2. Economic Category: the economic conditions of housing sites also need to be part of the site
analysis process, because housing and land prices are an important concern for both consumers
and suppliers. The cost of housing includes planning, designing, construction, and marketing.
For consumers, the location suggests the neighborhood characteristics; the physical conditions of
the site; the character of available shopping facilities; the variety, quality and cost of local public
services, such as parks, schools, health and sanitation services, and streets; and the accessibility
to desirable destinations within and outside the area.
3. Social-culture Category: cultural process and social variables also impact the selection and
analysis of housing sites. The social-cultural category in the framework is based on discussions
about the relationship between culture and housing, and its connection with other categories.
The interweaving of cultural influences provides architects rich resources in design projects.
Tylor (1973) defines culture as a “complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals,
law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society”. The
character of cultural patterns and styles can vary with different religions and emphases on
intellectual development, or in different national and geographical locations. Cultural influences
in the architectural design process fit into three major fields: earlier architecture, contemporary
aesthetic expressions of cultural ideals, and creative results from architects. Some significant
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influences can evolve within every architectural style and ultimately generate new styles that will
supplant their predecessors.Therefore, the important issues associated with culture include social
tradition, contemporary influences, and innovations.
4. Infrastructure Category: the infrastructure category covers both social and physical
infrastructures. The social infrastructure includes education and training facilities, hospitals,
cultural and recreational services, and visitor accommodations. Physical infrastructure items
include: local environmental services, such as water supply, waste water treatment, and landfill
sites; the transportation network, which incorporates the accessibility of road, as well as rail, sea,
and air transportation; energy supply; and information and communication services. For an
individual site or sites located in a subdivision, detailed transportation factors also consider
relationships between different systems, the volume of noise generated by the systems, traffic
signals, the level of maintenance, and the relationship of parking area, walking distances, and the
visual relationship of approaches to the site.
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Site Analysis check list
Site Condition
Existing buildings or structures Visibility into and out of site
Former uses Security considerations
Known site conditions Neighboring property uses
Character/condition of existing Existing rights of way or
roads easements on property
Points of access and exits Other encumbrances
(approximate site distances) (condominium or community
Expected road improvements association)
Zoning Regulations
Zone identification Parking requirements
Minimum lot size Overlay zoning
Front setback Sign requirements
Back setback Right of way width
Side setback, one side total Cart way width
Permitted uses by right Curb requirements
Permitted uses by special Sidewalk requirements
exception Fence regulations
Maximum coverage Storage requirements
Landscape Regulations
Land Development Regulations
Street profile requirements Storm water requirements
Site distance requirements Landscaping requirements
Slope restrictions Lighting requirements
Utilities Access (distance to and connections requirements)
Natural gas Cable television
Telephone Public water
Electricity Sanitary sewage
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Traffic
Condition of local roads Internal circulation constraints
Access to site Impact on neighborhood
Topography
General topographic character of Aspect/orientation of slopes
site Site access
Areas of steep slope Slope stability
Soils/geology
Soil types Existing indication of slope
Depth to bedrock instability/site erosion
Depth to groundwater Sinkholes
Seasonal high water table Fault zones
Engineering capabilities class of
soils (density, compressibility)
Hydrology
Sketch existing drainage pattern, Springs
off-sight and on-site Wells
Presence of surface water Aquifer
features Anticipated drainage pattern
Quality of surface waters Character and quality of
Floodplains receiving waters
Wetlands
Vegetation/Wildlife
General types of existing vegetation
Quality of vegetation
Presence of known protected species
Presence of valuable specimens
Presence of exotic/invasive species
Historic or Cultural Features/Community Interests
Known historical features
Unique natural features or character
Existing Parks or Public Areas
Existing informal public access/use on the site
Community character such as architectural style/conventions
Local landscaping
Local materials
Environmental Concerns
Past site uses
Neighboring site uses
Evidence of fill, dumping, or disposal
Evidence of contamination (stained soils, stressed/dead vegetation, etc.)
On-site storage
Impact of site development on local water and air quality