Geology,
Parcel Size and Hydrology, and
Introduction Topography
Shape Soils
Geology deals with the
The main goal of site Land development and Information regarding the surface, namely the structure,
planning is to understand reconstruction take place biophysical conditions of a composition, and stability of
the site and its surrounding across a site's span. site can be obtained through materials. Hydrology deals
conditions. topographic analysis. with water in the environment
The site's shape can also produced by rainfall, surface
The main goal of site impact design flexibility. The analysis provide three
runoff, infiltration, and
planning is to understand factors: elevation, slope, and
evapotranspiration. Soils are
the site and its surrounding aspect.
influenced by several factors
conditions.
such as climate, landform
position, vegetation
decomposition,
microorganisms, soil biota,
and others. Attributes that
affect soil include acidity,
permeability, depth, erosion
potential, and others.
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Climate and Microclimate Natural Hazards
The climate conditions such as temperature, Natural hazards, which encompass atmospheric,
rainfall, humidity, wind, solar radiation, potential hydrological, geological, and fire events, are a
extreme weather such as snow, and microclimate critical concern for buildings. Understanding
affect the design of buildings, such as the building information about natural hazards is essential to
orientation. determine the design and location of residential
areas.
Nature’s Infrastructure Wetlands Plants
Wildlife
Wetlands are defined based on Trees are a natural resource
The natural infrastructure vegetation, hydrology, and soil. Most species of wild animals that enhances the quality of
consists of water, air, soil, Wetlands are classified based on have spatially fragmented life, comfort, and sense of
plants, animals, and the plant and soil conditions into populations, where the entire place. The inventory of trees in
microorganisms. one of the following categories: species consists of city streets typically includes
areas with hydrophytes and subpopulations that are tree size, species, and location.
hydric soils, areas without soil dispersed spatially. Some benefits of trees for
but with hydrophytes, and areas humans include helping to
without soil and hydrophytes. clean the air and serving as
The wetland classification habitats for certain animal
scheme includes marine, species, providing shade,
estuarine, riverine, lacustrine, windbreaks, adding aesthetic
and palustrine. Wetlands value, and more.
provide several benefits, such as
being a habitat for shellfish, an
area for groundwater recharge,
and a natural retention area for
rainwater.
4
Land Use Type and Intensity Property Ownership and Value
Land Use Regulation Infrastructure
Land ownership information
The main principles of smart The legal context for site data, such as certified survey The location and condition of
growth and sustainable green planning and design varies maps, land ownership histories, infrastructure affect the
design involve the adaptive spatially across local, state, or deeds, or agreements related to placement and orientation of
reuse of underutilized land. regional levels. the property. Property value is buildings.
Prior land use impacts the influenced by several factors,
suitability of development by such as site size and usage,
increasing the cost of site location impact, natural
preparation for demolition and facilities, having beautiful
relocation. views, land use regulations,
and development rights
purchases.
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Building and Neighborhood
Character Historic Resources Demographics Environmental Perception
Responsive context-sensitive
The typology of buildings can design is sensitive to the history Example of demographic data: Discussing the sensory
be based on their usage (such as and specific needs of a place Population density, age and perspective/approach towards
for residential, commercial, and time. Depending on the ethnicity, household size, environmental education, for
educational, or religious age, quality, and role of these income, and composition. instance, is an effective way to
purposes), sustainable practices places at the local, regional, or aid in understanding the cause-
(such as water and energy national cultural level, some of and-effect relationship between
efficiency, location efficiency), these resources may have society and the environment.
or renovation status (such as significant historical value.
fully renovated or high Historical resources include
renovation potential). bridges, buildings, walls, signs,
and other important structures
or environments built in
previous eras.
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