Site Planning Process

Summary

The site planning process involves identifying the development site, analyzing resource constraints and opportunities, surveying users and stakeholders, and determining necessary programs and activities. It is a flexible and adaptable process, synthesizing information from multiple sources. The blueprint for Brookside Gardens’ main entrance is developed through an inventory phase, program analysis, and design concepts. Key elements include assessing cultural, physical, and biological factors, understanding external influences, and addressing design flaws. The final plan synthesizes these elements, delivering a detailed blueprint that serves as the foundation for the development process and the creation of the intended experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Site planning begins with identifying the site and its boundaries, as well as understanding resource constraints and opportunities.
• 😀 The survey and inventory phase includes assessing cultural, physical, and biological factors, including infrastructure and environmental elements.
• 😀 External factors like potential users, stakeholders, and competition are essential for understanding the broader context of site development.
• 😀 The program for the site is shaped by the client or agency's objectives and mission, which drive decisions on user experience and amenities.
• 😀 In park and natural areas, the program's design takes into account the site’s physical and biological features, determining the programmatic opportunities.
• 😀 The analysis phase integrates the findings from the survey phase to identify how these factors affect the final design and planning decisions.
• 😀 Design concepts in the analysis phase often involve creating diagrams to visualize relationships between major site elements.
• 😀 Site analysis identifies potential problems and opportunities, which directly influence design decisions like placement and accessibility.
• 😀 At Brookside Gardens, the analysis phase helped address specific design flaws, such as poor aesthetics, parking issues, and drainage problems.
• 😀 The final plan is a detailed blueprint that synthesizes all previous phases, ensuring the site’s design meets the program’s objectives and user needs.
• 😀 The site development process is flexible and culminates in a final, actionable plan that includes construction details and blueprints.

Q & A

What is the main goal of the site planning process?

The main goal of the site planning process is to develop a plan that delivers the desired program and activities for users by analyzing factors such as resources, constraints, opportunities, and user needs.

What are the key phases involved in the survey or inventory phase of site planning?

The survey or inventory phase consists of three key phases: 1) inventory of resources to determine their capabilities, 2) assessment of external factors, including potential users and markets, and 3) analysis of program relationships based on client or agency objectives.

How is the site analysis phase subdivided?

The site analysis phase is subdivided into two subgroups: 1) design concepts, which focus on the relationship between major elements (often using bubble diagrams), and 2) site analysis, which focuses on identifying constraints, problems, and opportunities within the site.

What does the on-site inventory include?

The on-site inventory includes cultural, physical, and biological factors. Cultural factors relate to human activities and impacts, physical features assess topography, hydrology, wetlands, and geology, while biological factors focus on flora, fauna, and endangered species.

Why is it important to assess cultural, physical, and biological factors in site planning?

Assessing cultural, physical, and biological factors is important to identify constraints and opportunities, such as areas that may require permits, may slow construction, or may need to be avoided, like wetlands, endangered species, and historical sites.

What role do external factors play in the site planning process?

External factors, such as potential user groups, stakeholders, competition, and bordering land uses, are critical in shaping the site's development by determining user needs, possible market conditions, and ensuring the plan meets broader environmental and community goals.

What are the two main program areas at Brookside Gardens?

At Brookside Gardens, the two main program areas are 1) support services, including maintenance and propagation facilities, and 2) visitor services, which include the conservatory, visitor center, and gardens.

How does the final plan integrate the survey and analysis phases?

The final plan synthesizes the elements from the survey and analysis phases into a detailed plan that identifies major features and their locations, aiming to deliver the desired user experience. It also includes construction plans and blueprints if needed.

What are some of the design flaws corrected during the analysis phase for Brookside Gardens?

During the analysis phase, several design flaws were corrected at Brookside Gardens, including unattractive deer fencing, parking alongside the road shoulder, and drainage issues.

How does the site development process contribute to designing the experience for users?

The site development process is foundational in designing the user experience, as it integrates resource constraints, program needs, and environmental factors into a comprehensive plan that enhances the usability and aesthetics of the site.