Site Planning

Site planning is considered both as an art and most crucial component of any project. Site
planning is also considered and valued as the most crucial aspect of architecture while
evolving design solutions and placing them within a given site. Architectural solutions have
their origin and genesis in the site on which they are to be located. All sites remain unique in
their fabric, shape, size, structure, area, location, physical features, orientation, surroundings,
environment, ecology, and accessibility. Accordingly, design solutions provided by
Architects remain different, distinct and unique, considering response of the designer to the
uniqueness of the site and its surroundings.

Site planning remains a complex and intricate process, involving number of elements and
studying number of contexts including; positioning of structures and designing internal and
external elements including defining space and positioning of various

services and parking. Site planning is considered both an art and science of determining the
basic fabric, footprints and typology of buildings besides locating them in the context of a
given site, having due regard to prevailing orientation, landscaping, infrastructure, mobility,
parking, privacy, view etc. A site plan is a graphical depiction showing the layout and
includes the location, design, and specifications for roads, streets and parking areas; storm
water management systems, wastewater management systems, utilities, and other
infrastructure; structures; landscaping and common areas; and other facilities associated with
the project.

Site planning essentially involves arranging structures on a given land besides shaping
spaces between them. In addition, it also involves making optimum use of available resources
on site and reduction of impervious surfaces, decreased generation of

pollutants, and treatment of storm water runoff. Kelvin Lynch considered site planning, ‘As a
process, linking architecture, engineering, landscaping and city planning’. Creating logical
relation between mass, space, zoning, services & maintenance is also known to be the
outcome of site planning besides locating activities and objects in space and time. Site
planning is considered, both as a compromise between the site, modified to work out building
program taking into account existing features of site. Since land remains the basic and
essential platform of site planning, accordingly site planning is also reckoned as art and
science of planning, designing and management of land. Considering numerous implications
and its role and importance in promoting sustainability of architectural projects, site planning
has to be done with sensitivity, care and caution to eliminate any possible adverse impact and
blend the project with local environment, ecology, climate, culture and bio-diversity.

Suggested Principles for Site Planning;

Considering major implications of site planning in the context of making architectural

projects sustainable, cost-effective, rational, supportive and making value addition to
prevailing quality of environment, ecology and local bio-diversity, it will be essential that
broad principles governing the process of site planning must be defined and detailed to serve
as a guide to all architects while planning the sites of their projects. These principles should
revolve around;
* Respecting site and respecting all physical features existing on site- to make optimum use
of such features in the designing of the built environment and placing various project element
in site planning

*Planning with nature, using natural elements of sun, space and greenery- should
invariably be the approach which should form the guiding principle of site planning. Any site
planning leveraging the nature and panchmahabhutas including Prithvi, Jal, Agni, Vayu
and Akash, shall always remain relevant, rational and logical; never failing on the altar of
sustainability.

* Adopting strategy of protecting, preserving enhancing and promoting available physical

features shall invariably help in making site planning more rational and realistic

*Minimise fingerprints of proposed buildings should be used one of the guiding principle of
preparing the site plan for covering minimum area of site and leaving maximum open area
within the site, to be used for promoting landscaping, creating green spaces and for giving a
sense of more openness in the site, besides overcoming limitations imposed by smaller land
area. Having minimum building footprints will help in promoting higher order of ground
water recharging, lowering incidence of heat island, lowering temperature on site, reducing
demand for energy for heating and cooling and ensuring adequate air, light and ventilation
besides making living and working area more user friendly.

*Keeping maximum area under open – will go a long way in promoting air, light and
ventilation, creating large area for landscape, providing enlarged scope for water absorption,
making provision for adequate parking space, reducing congestion, improving environment,
creating large open space for sit-outs, providing adequate space for laying basic
services, providing protection to adjoining properties from fire and making provision for
rainwater harvesting and ensuring ground water re-charging.

*Identifying entire range of flora and fauna- on site and preserving them ,by making them
integral part of site planning and building design process, will not only help in improving
environment but also ensure imparting a distinct ambience, character and culture to the
project. Preservation existing/ natural vegetation on site is known to help in creating natural
buffer, protecting existing soils from water and wind erosion, removing sediments / other
pollutants from storm water runoff and protecting unique or endangered plant species besides
making value addition to the project. This principle remains universal and has applicability
for all site planning. Retaining existing vegetation offers distinct advantages in term
of reducing the intensity of rainwater by absorbing the energy of falling rain; holding
soils/soil particles in place and developing soil structure for increasing the soil’s absorptive
capacity / soil permeability to absorb storm water runoff through dense root structures .
Vegetation also helps in slowing down the velocity of runoff and acts as a filter to trap
sediment; reducing noise by creating a buffer zone; makes value addition to the area;
reducing heat /minimizing heat island, lowering temperature, providing shade during
summer; creating value for the residential and commercial properties. Retaining existing flora
and fauna not only remains valuable but also help in promoting economy in the project
through reduced maintenance cost when compared with planting new vegetation. In addition,
it promotes local environment, preserve ecology and bio-diversity besides contributing to
sustainability of the project.
 Preserving existing wealth of trees and plantation would remain most appropriate and critical
in areas, which are prone to high rates of soil erosion and where other soil erosion control
measures would be difficult to establish, install, or maintain. Trees can be used with
considerable advantage in areas where storm water runoff flow velocities need considerable
reduction. However, preserving existing vegetation has to be planned as integral part of
the building design and site planning process and should be completed before the
commencement of any construction activity on the site.Architects must do a detailed study
and analysis of the existing vegetation with regard to the quality, age, growth, value etc and
come to a logical conclusion as to vegetation which needs to be preserved and conserved,
based on the proposed road network and building/structures finalized . Barricades/signs
should be erected to protect vegetation boundaries selected for preservation. Planning for
protecting vegetation should also include the maintenance requirements of the existing
vegetation, based on soil types and climate. Different species require different maintenance
activities in terms of fertilization, irrigation, pruning, and weed/pest control. These activities
should be performed regularly during construction in order to safeguard the existing
vegetation.

*Making adequate provision for rain water harvesting -and ground water recharging will
improve and help in not only raising the water table in the area but will also make available
large amount of precious water for use and reduce the demand /pressure on ground water.

* Opting for brownfield development by using areas, which were earlier used for buildings,
to help in minimising adverse impact of green field development and regenerating the
existing derelict areas.

*Providing setbacks of adequate width, - for ensuring availability of adequate air- light and
ventilation within and outside the buildings and for facilitating easy vehicular access of the
fire/ ambulance vehicles in case of natural and manmade disasters; for creating large
landscaped area within the site, providing space for parking; mitigating outside noise;
promoting privacy and allowing expansion of urban road network/laying of city services, will
be critical while preparing part of site planning

*Minimising damage to the site-- by minimising changes to existing environment, ecology,

bio-diversity, flora& fauna, physical terrain/contours of the site and by making value addition
to the site through rational site planning will be vital and crucial.

*Restoring the derelict area existing within the site by developing them and restoring them
to original status, as part of the site planning process, shall be crucial for promoting
sustainability of the project.

* Site planning for Planning steep sites and sites falling in the hill areas/ contoured sites-
should preferably be based on placing and designing buildings along the contours to the
extent possible so as to minimise damage to physiography and environment. When placed
across contours, care should be taken that building design/fabric must involve minimum
cutting/filling and damage to the structure of the site.

In case of hilly terrain and undulating sites, efforts should invariably be made to avoid
development on steep hill, ridge, and ravine slopes, especially those with side slopes of 15
percent or greater. In addition, efforts should be made to preserve, existing vegetation to
minimize erosion potential and generation of sediment. It has been observed that building on
flatter areas invariably reduces soil erosion; cut-and-fill volumes and the cost of grading
operations. Accordingly planning along contours should be reckoned as the best option of
development on hilly sites. However, where due to certain reasons, construction has to be
done across contours, then it should be ensured that

Cutting and filling shall be minimum.

* Minimising changing/tempering with the existing physiography of the site

* Preserving and protecting all existing natural areas and elements of natural/ scenic
beauty and protecting all good views of built/ manmade /natural heritage to and from the
site

*Evaluating, analysing and mitigating the adverse impact of development on heritage

buildings/ site and adjoining areas, communities, ecology and environment

Approach to Site Planning

After briefing about the principles to be considered and approach to be adopted for site
planning, it will be relevant to define and describe the process which needs to be followed in
order to evolve rational options for site planning. Rational site planning needs to be
considered and evaluated looking at the broad range of concerns and issues related to
building design and their inter-relationship before finalisation. Site planning should
essentially be made a synthesis of a number of collated factors and should be based on
carrying out detailed study and analysis of existing physical aspects of site; vision/ program
of client; designer’s own creative inclination; concerns of community; interests of end user;
zoning /bye-laws requirements for regulating the density, height, coverage, geometry
of development, road widths , parking and drainage requirements; protection of natural
resources ; Neighbourhood Character; Physical Characteristics etc. Accordingly, site
planning must incorporate an accurate description of well-defined, well-designed and well-
executed site analysis, which remains critical for evolving cost-effective, environmentally
sustainable and eco- friendly design options. Considering the total fabric and structure of any
architectural project, site planning process includes large number of elements involving;
buildings, roads, walkways, trees, gardens, water bodies, landscaping, plazas, environment,
services, parking, natural and manmade features etc. Evolving site plan design based on
prevailing site conditions and respecting existing natural features can minimize, to a large
extent, the project’s adverse environmental impacts. Considering large number of elements
and factors involved, following approach is being suggested, for rationalizing and optimizing
the process of site planning of any project for achieving its sustainability.

i. Looking at Project brief

Before undertaking the exercise of site planning of any project, it will be important to
understand the genesis, context, intent and content of the project. Reference in this regard
needs to be made to the project profile already prepared; so that scope of the project, built
spaces requirements, services and infrastructures to be provided, are clearly delineated,
understood and appreciated. If no such document is available, then such a document must be
created for keeping the project on track , keeping it within defined scope and for avoiding any
complications and omissions arising out of time overrun / cost-overrun, at a later date.
ii. Locating and Understanding Site

• After having understood the project profile and requirements of the project, it will be
critical to do a detailed study and analysis of the site, identified for the project for
understanding its complexity, uniqueness, strength and locational peculiarities.
Understanding site, remains critical, important, vital for preparing rational site planning and
state of art designing of buildings. Before starting planning of site and designing of buildings
proposed; site needs to be properly documented, visited, studied, analyzed and understood
thoroughly and objectively. Preparing site plan and designing buildings have to be the
outcome

• of the prevailing site conditions and they should effectively respond to those conditions.
Premeditated designs have always/invariably failed to produce great and sustainable solutions
and do justice to the project, making them in majority of cases irrational/ unsustainable.

• For rational site planning, it will be important to carry out in-depth site analysis.
Carrying out a realistic and rational site analysis, endeavor shall be to do research to the
extent possible and collect all relevant and available data that relates to the site and building
design. A poorly executed site analysis can lead to a sub- standard design due to the designer
not having all requisite and critical information to respond and develop appropriate design
solutions for the project. Knowing fully any site and its peculiarities and characteristics,
always remain a challenge. To help collecting adequate, relevant and vital information for the
site, it will be advisable to prepare a check list which should define and include, all the
aspects which needs to be looked into, as part of the site analysis. Checklist should be the
starting point for analyzing the site and gathering data. The checklist will need to be made
exhaustive/updated on continued basis every time any new issue or factors relating to a site is
observed.

• Looking at the entire context of site analysis, data and information required can be
divided into two distinct and separate categories ie Hard data and Soft data. Soft data will
involve and comprise of study of different aspects of site concerned with site conditions that
are variable and can be changed, whereas Hard data would look at elements which cannot be
varied and would essentially revolve around and include; boundaries of site, site areas,
location of utilities and services, contours, accessibility, orientation, dimensions, site features,
flora and fauna, structures, water features, climate, legal information. Initial site
investigations need to focus on issues related to hard data, which will help in identifying and
establishing elements which will have critical bearing on the design, both positive and
negative. Site for its proper understanding and planning needs to be studied and analyzed in
terms of Location; Accessibility; Shape and size; Topography; Vegetation; Infrastructure;
Connectivity of site with water, electricity, gas, telephone, sewerage, power poles, sub-
stations, and other services; Orientation; Wind Direction; prevailing traffic conditions;
Climate; Local culture, Soil conditions; View from site /View to site; Prevailing typology of
buildings; Structures existing within site; Existing encumbrances- electric /gas lines, water
bodies etc; local Building bye laws; Developmental Controls- Height, FAR, setbacks ,land
use and restrictions imposed by Master Plans/ statutory document; any rights of way passing
through the site along with dimensions; existing easements ; location of heritage /listed
buildings within/ in close proximity to site

Understanding site has been valued and observed to greatly help in understanding and
appreciating the contexts of ; defining and designing structure and contours of the project;
positioning buildings; determining solid and void relationship within site; determining shape,
size & and volume of buildings; determining distances and relationship between buildings;
planning and designing state of art buildings; planning and designing sustainable
buildings; making buildings cost–effective/energy /waste efficient ; planning spaces
rationally and objectively- both internal and external; placing buildings and
determining building setbacks; preparing landscape design; evolving Traffic and
Transportation/mobility Plans ; preparing Infrastructure plans; evolving service plan ;
preparing drainage plan and providing Rain water harvesting.

Understanding and carrying out an extensive site analysis, before initiating the design
process, also remains critical and vital from the point of view of client, who would be keen to
know whether construction on the site would be financially and technically feasible, based on
established /set parameters and for evolving and implementing design options which will
appropriately respond to the existing physical and environmental features of the site.
Understanding the context, complexity, peculiarity and specificity of a site, remains key for
the designer to make informed decisions about the project and evolving realistic options that
can effectively gel the building design with existing fabric and culture of the site, based on
available opportunities and prevailing problems .

A detailed and accurate survey of the site indicating the shape, size, dimensions, orientation,
easements, levels / contours of site, difference in levels between site / surrounding properties,
location/ height of existing physical features on site/ surrounding properties, existing flora &
fauna, use/height of surrounding buildings, details of means of accessibility, location and
availability of municipal services including roads, water supply, sewerage, electricity,
drainage location of institutions of healthcare, education and shopping areas etc, relevant to
project profile, will be critical and valuable for good site planning.

Survey of site should be supplemented with getting information of the soil available at site
for assessing soil bearing capacity along with ascertaining the water table for taking a call on
the design of buildings. This will be critical for projects involving creation of multi-level
basements for meeting the parking needs and buildings with large footprints which fall in the
category of high-rise buildings.

• Physical survey and soil testing should be supplemented by visit of the architect to have
a realistic feel of site and its settings and surrounding besides understanding the context of
the site with its neighborhood communities and the city. Site needs to be looked out both
from inside and outside and from top and bottom to understand its uniqueness/ complexity
and fabric.. Critical and objective evaluation and appreciation of the different facets of the
site will help in planning of the site in a realistic manner based on the prevailing ground
realities.

Carrying out a detailed SWOT analysis will further help the designer to understand the
strength of the site, enumerate its weaknesses, identify opportunities offered by the site and
possible threats posed by the site , which need to be encountered. Locating and understanding
site, will always remain most vital component of site planning process. Thorough and
objective site analysis remains most valuable and potent mechanism/ critical for evolving
cost-effective, environmentally sustainable and rational design solution for any project. Site
analysis has been valued for understanding of the site in terms of its existing potential,
understanding environmental impact of development, Impact on community, Impact on
adjoining development/properties, defining project design, defining scope of project
and understanding development constraints.

Before physically visiting, efforts should be made to source maximum information about the
site from client and by using technology involving computers, looking at the available maps
of the area including GIS maps/ google maps/ Survey of India maps/Aerial photographs etc
for locating the physical position, understanding the surroundings, flora& fauna existing
within the site, defining boundaries of the site and identifying specific things that require
check/ look out at site. While visiting the site, it will be important that site is properly
documented and recorded and nothing is missed out, which merits consideration and
valuation while preparing the site plan and project design. Accordingly, before visiting site,
one should carry camera/ Smart phone. for taking pictures of site , existing physical
features, accessibility, area surrounding the site, existing services, water bodies, flora &fauna,
existing structures within/outside the site etc Note book for recording and writing down; tape
for measuring etc needs to be invariably carried while visiting the site.

iii Evaluating Building Controls & Building Regulations

Detailed study and understanding of the provisions made in the prevailing building bye-
laws, zoning regulations, architectural controls, zonal plans, zoning plans, development plans
etc shall be vital for evolving site plans which will stand the testimony and scrutiny of legal
framework for statutory approvals. Accordingly, it will be desirable to know the applicable
building controls to the project site in terms of; permissible ground coverage, maximum
permissible height, prescribed floor area ratio, minimum stipulated setbacks, area zoned as
building envelop, area permissible under basement, norms prescribed for parking/population
density/dwelling units, extent of projections permitted , positioning of entry and exits,
number of storeys permitted, requirements of public health services, mobility within/outside
buildings, structural stability requirement of the buildings, requirements of fire exit/disaster
for the buildings, distance to be left between buildings etc, so that site plan remains within the
confines of these statutory limits. These controls need to be followed and clearly defined in
the site plan so that building designs are also prepared within the same framework.
Limitations on height/ setbacks/coverage imposed by the location of the project close to
airport, location on highways, heritage areas, wetland, protected monuments, defence
installations and coastal areas, also need to be clearly deciphered, defined and followed as
part of site planning process.

IV Studying Climates

Climate will be one of the major determinants of the shape, size and location of the
buildings in the site. Climate shall invariably be studied in the three distinct contexts in terms
of; Micro, Meso and Micro climates. In the Macro context, site will be studied at the zonal
level for ascertaining precisely in which climate zone it falls. Based on climatic
considerations, India has been divided into five distinct climate zones including; Hot and
Dry; Warm and Humid; Temperate; Composite and Cold climate Zones. Depending upon the
relevant zone, site plan will need orientation to mitigate the adverse impact and challenges
posed by the prevailing climate of the zone. At the second level, city climate shall be
considered so that design solutions could be made more realistic, based on general climatic
conditions prevailing at the settlement level. At the lowest level, site climate will need
detailed study and analysis ,which will be major determinant of contours of site planning and
building design .It will include evaluating all the distinct feature existing on the site and in its
surroundings for evolving site specific planning. Based on climatic consideration site
planning shall address all issues related to heat radiation and humidity, based on orientation,
movement of sun and prevailing wind direction.

V Understanding Orientation

Orientation is the position/positioning of site with relation to points of compass and other
specific directions. Orientation is the most critical factor which needs to be effectively
leveraged in site planning/building designs, in order to evolve rational site plan and energy
efficient/sustainable/green building designs, by making optimum use of solar
light/heat/radiation and the available wind energy. However, requirements of building design
would vary from region to region, state to state, cities to cities and within regions, states and
cities. Accordingly, buildings, with regard to sun , wind, heating, ventilation, cooling and
lighting, will have to be designed and oriented differently in different regions. In order to
ensure that buildings make best use of solar and wind energy, it would be essential that
majority of buildings would have the site advantage of having best orientation, where such
buildings are to be constructed. Accordingly, in this context, urban planners have important
role cast for themselves for ensuring, that while preparing the layout plan of the area, highest
consideration is given to orientation, so that maximum number of plots have the distinct
advantage of best orientation. Once this is ensured at the planning level, it would be much
easier for the Architects to evolve a design which would be energy efficient. Further, the
planners should ensure that ratio of plot width and depth is fixed in such a manner that the
entire depth of built-up area permitted on a plot should have access to natural light and
ventilation during the day, minimizing the requirement of artificial lighting. This would be
particularly important in case of row housing, where plots have the limitation of drawing
light from front and the rear only.

Understanding site orientation would essentially involve; looking at the position of North,
South, East and West with respect to project site. Context of each cardinal direction needs to
be understood and appreciated with respect to these directions, both individually and
collectively. These cardinal directions have both positivities and negativities besides strength
and weaknesses, considering the climate zone in which they are located. South- East remains
best orientation in composite climate whereas North orientation is considered best for
sourcing glare- free and uniform natural light, without any heat gain. North direction provides
good opportunities for having large area under glazing and remain most suitable for industrial
buildings, because sun never rises and sets in the North.

If North remains the coolest side, South remains hottest in terms of highest radiation. Sun
also remains at highest altitude both in summer and winter in the Southern side. However,
elevation of sun remains much higher during the Summer as compared to winter. Sun
revolves around North during summer, as it rises in the North- East and sets in the North-
West. During winters, Sun revolves around South, rising in the South- East and setting in the
South- West. Considering the movement of Sun, with sun not available in the North, in Cold
regions locating buildings on the North direction/slopes needs to be invariably avoided due to
obvious reason of non-availability of sun. Buildings in hill areas should preferably be located
on the Southern slope, followed by East and west sides in order to maximize the heat gain
provided by the Sun.

West direction has its inherent limitations and implications and is known to be worst
orientation in all hot climate regions due to maximum heat and horizontal radiations falling in
that direction and accordingly exposure of the buildings in this direction needs to be
minimized and avoided to the extent possible. However, it will not be possible to avoid
western direction in the large projects having setbacks on all sides or sites having exposure to
western direction. Accordingly, while preparing site planning, minimum building surfaces
should be given exposure in the west side to avoid heat gain. In order to avoid the adverse
impact of the heat on west side, mechanism of providing properly designed shading devices
could be used as an option. Planting rows of deciduous trees for shading the western walls or
greening western walls through well-planted creepers, will be other options available for
reducing impact of heat on such walls. Painting western walls white or adopting cavity walls
for west can considerably reduce the adverse impact of heat on western side.

Accordingly, it will be desirable that detailed study and analysis of the site orientation must
be made along with studying and mapping the behavior and movement of Sun, during
different seasons of the year while preparing the site plan and designing buildings. Good and
bad sides of the site need to be clearly identified and demarcated while preparing site
plan/building plans. All areas involving human habitation should be placed along good
orientation, whereas all areas providing worst orientation, should be made to house non-
habitable areas of the project in site plans.

Considering the entire context, orientation plays important role in site planning and siting
buildings. When combined with wind direction and sun path, orientation help in providing
optimum solution regarding how buildings should be oriented and sited. Orientation along
with sun path will always remains major determinant of site planning, positioning of the
buildings and that of placement of rooms inside buildings

vi. Ascertaining Wind Direction

Prevailing wind direction will be another major determinant for evolving rational site plan.
Wind direction remains location and season specific and accordingly varies during the year.
However, it will be appropriate to consider and identify the direction, in which for majority
of the time wind flows. For designing / evolving climate responsive site planning/building
design, it will be important to consider and map indicating the direction of wind in which it
flows for majority of the time in the year and to channelized it through interiors of the
buildings to minimise the adverse impact of radiation and humidity on the human living. This
will be particularly important in the case of sites falling in the warm and humid climatic
zones, where cross- ventilation emerges as the most important feature of the building design
to counter the adverse impact of high percentage of moistures present in the air. However, in
case of cold regions and hot climate regions, cross ventilation has to be invariably avoided
during the flow of the cold winds in cold regions and that of hot winds in the hot and dry
regions, during the daytime.

vii Defining Setbacks and Building Envelop

Set-backs remain the most important component of site planning and positioning of
buildings. Adequate set backs are always considered vital for promoting sustainability and
liveability of the project. Set- backs in the shape of minimum distance to be provided, are
generally defined as part of the building rules and zoning plans, where no construction is
permitted. There is no limit prescribed for the maximum width of the setback to be left within
the site. While designing and placing buildings in site, there remains considerable flexibility
for defining the set-backs, particularly in the projects having large area. Accordingly, it will
be desirable that due care and caution should be exercised while deciding the depth of set-
backs. Minimum set- backs can be considered for sides having worst orientation whereas
maximum setbacks should be provided on sides having best orientation.

Maximum set-backs provided in the front side of the site will always make value addition to
site planning for reasons of safety, security, sealing buildings from noise, privacy, developing
green spaces, avoiding demolition during widening/laying infrastructure etc. Fire safety,
height of building, air-light and ventilation in buildings are the other determinants of the
extent of set-backs to be provided in the site. Identifying open spaces to be left within
buildings, positioning of existing flora- fauna and area to be used for landscaping, can also be
factors considered useful , while site planning for determining depth of set-backs.

While dealing with irregular sites, it will always be appropriate to respect the roads facing the
site. All buildings must be placed, planned and designed, parallel to the streets on which they
fall and site plans should invariably be evolved on that principle. All irregularities in the site,
need to be adjusted as part of building design process. Irregular set-backs should be
invariably avoided in site planning.

viii Defining Exit and Entry to the Site

Entries and exits ,and their numbers, defined in the project are also known to impact the
site planning due to provision of accessibility to be made for the mechanised/non-mechanised
vehicles, pedestrians, public, private, VIP;, loading/unloading of goods, parking etc. in the
site. Accordingly, they need to be carefully considered for location. In case of big
sites/campus having multiple exits, entries and parking, preparing rational site plan requires
lot of study and analysis.

ix Existing Flora and Fauna

Site planning needs to invariably value the prevailing physical conditions on the site and
also give credibility to the trees and vegetable wealth existing on site. Accordingly, all the
trees and physical encumbrances existing on the site, along with their size, shape, foliage, age
, canopy , cover etc., must be duly identified, mapped and marked accurately on the site plans
in order to prepare rational site plans. It also needs to be

ascertained whether trees existing on site are protected under any legal framework. Decisions
needs to be taken right at the outset regarding existing trees, whether they are to be adjusted
as integral part of the building design or integrated with landscaped area or made part of the
space marked for parking/ services. Such a strategy will help in not only saving all trees
existing on the site but will also help in designing and positioning of the buildings, placing of
open spaces and services in the site planning.

x Making provision for Rain Water Harvesting and Solar Energy Generation

Rain water harvesting must be made integral part of site planning by earmarking dedicated
space in the plan for not only harvesting the rain water but also for meeting the demand of
non-potable water for the landscaping and other needs of the buildings. In addition, adequate
provision should also be made in the site plan for recharging the ground water so as to add to
the ground water resource of the area. Site planning potential can be leveraged for promoting
the sustainability of the project if dedicated area is marked for generating energy from
renewable and natural resources. These provisions shall be made based on prescribed norms
and standards.

Adequate provision shall also be made in the site plan for minimising the adverse impact of
heat island by innovatively designed pathways, walkways etc. Low- lying area available in
the site should be considered for creating water bodies as part of site planning to collect rain
water and also for modulate prevailing climate besides promoting greening on a large scale.

xi. Valuing surrounding land uses and buildings

For optimum site planning and creating sustainable design solution for proposed
project/buildings, it will be relevant and desirable that prevailing pattern of planning and that
of surrounding land uses and buildings should be brought under close focus and
consideration. While taking decisions regarding planning and designing of the project,
incompatible land uses existing in close vicinity to project site need to be avoided to the
extent possible considering its implications, adverse impact it may have on the project
and issues they may create in planning and designing. Adjoining structures/development
needs evaluation in terms of their height, setbacks, building footprints, materials, typologies
etc, which will be important in the context of privacy, ensuring free flow of air, light,
ventilation and sunlight, within and outside buildings, Prominent Vision lines / Visual
linkages, to natural and made objects are invariably considered relevant and Important
elements in site planning and building design process. Views to site as well views from the
site need careful consideration, evaluation and inclusion while preparing site plans and design
of buildings.