Elements of Site Analysis

SITE ANALYSIS

Site analysis is an element in site planning and design is an inventory completed as a preparatory step to site planning, a form of urban planning which involves research, analysis, and synthesis. It primarily deals with basic data as it relates to a specific site. The topic itself branches into the boundaries of architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, real estate development, economics, and urban planning.

Site analysis is defined as the analysis of the site with respect to many factors involved in construction. It is the analysis of various features or advantage available for a site.

ELEMENTS OF SITE ANALYSIS

Numerous elements go into a given site analysis. These elements include location, neighbourhood context, site and zoning, legal elements, natural physical features, man-made features, circulation, utilities, sensory, human and cultural, and climate components. The following elements typically are considered in most sites:

Location: The site should be related to 1major streets or landmarks

previously existing. Aerial photographs help in this assessment stage.There should be documentation of distances and time from major places. This should be completed by either driving or walking the distance first-hand.

Neighbourhood context: Zoning of the neighbourhood is important and information of this type can typically be found at the municipal planning department of the site. Numerous issues at this stage require direct observation. Features of this sort include architectural patterns, street immediate surroundings of the site. The reaction of the surrounding buildings towards the site and people moving around should be analysed. Other important components of the neighbourhood context include an analysis of existing paths (pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicle), landmark and nodes. Landmarks are distinctive sites that provide way-finding for people in the area, and which define the character of a neighbourhood. Nodes are key public gathering palces that encourage people to linger and socialize.

Size and zoning: Site boundaries can be located by either verifying the dimensions physically or contacting the country tax assessor's office. Zoning classifications, set-backs, height restrictions, allowable site coverage, uses, and parking requirements are obtained zoning classifications from a zoning map, which can be located from the city planning department.

Infrastructure, social, and political boundaries.

Legal : Typical legal information can be obtained from the dead to the property, The deed is held by the owner of the title insurance such as the property description, present ownership, and the governmental jurisdiction the site is located in, and the city or county.

Natural  physical  features:Most  of  this  information  will  be  derived  from   the topographic features on  the site.  A  contour  map  of  this magnitude   can  be  located from   the survey engineer. Drainage problems as well as existing natural features of  trees, ground texture, and soil conditions on the site should be directly observed.

Man made features: Features located on the site such as buildings, walls, fences, patios, plazas, bus stop shelters should be noted. The site and location of such features should be directly measured, Documentation of existing historical districts should be made, some of which may already have reports completed. Locating this information can be done through the municipal planning department for the site.

Circulation: the uses of streets, roads, alleys, sidewalks, and plazas are important in this inventory step. It is not necessarily an analysis of these circulation gateways.

Utilities: Information for utilities concerning the site can be found through the utility departments and companies in the local area. Generally this company has a print of the drawing of this information needed. Information in this print includes the location of all utilities and their locations around or on the site itself.

Sensory: Much of the sensory information collected will be done through firsthand experience. This type of information is obtained from sketching and photographs (sometimes aerial photographs). Direct observation of other sensory elements of noise, odors, smoke, and pollutant areas must also be completed.