Planning ● Residential

● Commercial
Local Government Classification ● Industrial
● Institutional
Under Republic Act 7160, also known as ● Parks and Playgrounds
the Local Government Code of 1991, the ● Infrastructure and Utilities
classification of cities is based on income ● Agriculture and Agro-Industrial
and population: ● Forests, Mining/Quarrying,
Grasslands, and Pasturelands
● City: Requires an income of P20 ● Swamplands and Marshes
million, a land area of 10,000 ● Cemeteries, Landfills, and Idle
hectares, and a population of Lots
150,000.
● Highly Urbanized City: Must have Urban Land Use Map Color Codes
an income of P50 million or more
and a population of at least Different land uses are assigned specific
200,000. color codes to facilitate urban planning
● Urban Area: Defined by specific and zoning.
population densities:
○ City: 1000 people per sq Hierarchy of Roads
km
○ Poblacions: 500 people per The document references the importance
sq km of road classification in urban planning
○ Central districts: Must
contain at least six Residential Communities
establishments and a street
network Several types of residential communities
○ Barangay: Must have 1,000 are identified:
people and at least six
● Subdivisions
establishments
● Apartments
● Component City: Has an income
● Condominiums
below that of a highly urbanized
● Socialized/Economic Housing
city.

Commercial Centers
Population Density Classification
Various commercial center classifications
● Low Density: Less than 150
are outlined:
persons per hectare
● Medium Density: 151 to 250 ● Major Central Business Districts
persons per hectare (CBDs)
● High Density: More than 250 ● Minor CBDs
persons per hectare ● Commercial Strips
● Neighborhood Centers
Land Use Categories

The document classifies land use into

various categories, including:
 potential environmental effects
before project approval.
Land Use Considerations
Environmental Critical Areas
● Reversible vs. Irreversible Uses:
Some land uses can be changed Certain areas require special
over time, while others remain environmental considerations
fixed.
● Multiple Land Use: Areas that ● Heavy industries
accommodate multiple purposes. ● Tourist spots
● Compatible vs. Incompatible ● Endangered species habitats
Land Use: Ensuring that land use ● Historic, archaeological, and
types do not negatively impact one scientific sites
another. ● Tribal and cultural communities
● Best Use of Land: Prioritizing ● Natural calamity-prone areas
optimal land use for sustainable ● Critically sloped areas
development. ● Prime agricultural lands
● Comprehensive Land Use Plan ● Aquifer recharge areas
(CLUP): A framework integrating ● Bodies of water, mangroves, and
physical, social, economic, and coral reefs
environmental planning.
Site Elements and Site Planning
Reference Maps
Site Elements:
Various maps are used in planning:
1. Foreground
● Topographic Map 2. Building Area
● Slope Map 3. Service Area
● Climatic Map 4. Play Area
● Soil Map 5. Private Area
● Hydrogeologic Map 6. Entourage
● Cadastral Map
● Population Density Map Foreground

Factors that influence the size and design

Environmental Planning
of the foreground
● Environmental Impact Statement
● Function of the building
(EIS): Includes prevention,
● Depth of the lot
mitigation, compensation,
● Local ordinances
contingency, monitoring, and
● Driveway layout
enhancement measures.
● Landscaping
● Environmental Compliance
● Parking area and layout
Certificate (ECC): Required for
● Type of street (traffic volume and
projects that may significantly
noise intensity)
impact the environment.
● Size of rear lawn or yard
● Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA): Evaluates Building Area
The location and position of buildings Soil

● Function of the building ● Determines foundation type

● Topography of the lot ● Affects drainage of ground and
● Lot shape surface water
● Existing features on-site ● Influences plant growth
● Approach location
● Orientation to wind and sun Topography
● Visual vistas
● Setback ordinances ● Impacts building foundation type
and form
Service Area ● Affects site drainage and
microclimate
Common service area elements include
spaces for utilities, maintenance, and Slope Patterns
waste management. Factors influencing
their placement: ● 0-5%: Flat, highly buildable
● 5-10%: Gently rolling, moderately
● Sun exposure buildable
● Wind direction ● 10-15%: Mild slopes, moderately
● Visual privacy from public areas difficult terrain
● Adjacency to other buildings ● 15-20%: Steep slopes, difficult
terrain
Play Area ● 20%+: Harsh slopes, unbuildable

Common play area elements focus on Vegetation

recreational spaces. Placement is affected
● Influences site microclimate
● Orientation ● Provides visual screening
● Noise impact on surrounding ● Reduces sound transmission
buildings ● Helps control erosion
● Accessibility
Climate Considerations
Private Area & Entourage
● Sun: Affects natural lighting and
Private areas are designated for exclusive solar radiation
use, while entourage elements include ● Wind: Impacts ventilation,
walkways, driveways, and landscaping structural loads, and air infiltration
features. Their layout is controlled ● Precipitation: Affects site
drainage and waterproofing needs
● Positioning of paths and driveways ● Roof Design: Determines water
● Balance of hardscape and drainage and material choice
softscape
● Aesthetic and functional Views & Sound Control
considerations
● Use of physical barriers, plantings,
Site Planning and ground covers to direct views
and reduce noise
Key site planning factors include: ●
 ● Regulatory Factors

Site planning must comply with various

regulations
Site Planning Lecture
● Land use zoning
● Setback requirements
Definitions of Site Planning
● Building height restrictions
● Floor Area Ratio (FAR) According to Kevin Lynch, site planning is
● Environmental compliance (ECC) “the art of arranging structures on the land
● National building codes and shaping the spaces between.” Harvey
M. Rubenstein expands on this by
Relevant laws include:
describing it as the process of analyzing
● PD 1096: National Building Code sites, planning land use, organizing
● BP 220: Economic and socialized circulation, and implementing drainage
housing standards and construction details.
● BP 344: Accessibility Law
● PD 957: Regulations on Site Planning Process
subdivisions and condominiums
● PD 1185: Fire Code The process of site planning involves:

● Research: Gathering data from

Parking Considerations existing projects, books, and case
studies.
Site planning for parking should account
● Analysis: Examining natural and
for:
cultural site features.
1. Number of required parking ● Synthesis: Integrating research
spaces and analysis to inform design
2. Accessibility for persons with decisions.
disabilities
3. Pedestrian access Methods of Site Establishment
4. Loading zones
5. Service area placement 1. Site Selection Process –
6. Emergency vehicle access Identifies the best site for a project
7. Distance from intersections based on specific requirements.
8. Sight lines and visibility 2. Development Suitability Process
9. Controlled access points – Determines the most appropriate
10. Landscaping integration use for a given site.
11. Drainage management
Site Analysis

Site analysis is divided into three main

factors:

Natural Factors
 1. Geology – Examines soil Slope Analysis and Site
composition, rock types, and Development
landform origins.
2. Geomorphology – Studies ● Slope Classifications:
landforms, soil properties,
drainage, and erosion. ○ 0-5%: Flat, highly buildable.
3. Hydrology – Investigates surface ○ 5-10%: Gently rolling,
and groundwater systems, moderately buildable.
aquifers, and watersheds. ○ 10-15%: Mild slopes,
4. Vegetation – Assesses plant moderately difficult terrain.
ecology and its impact on erosion ○ 15-20%: Steep slopes,
control and climate. difficult terrain.
5. Wildlife – Identifies habitats for ○ 20% and above:
various species. Unbuildable.
6. Climate – Evaluates solar ● Erosion Control Measures:
orientation, wind direction, and
humidity. ○ Vegetation cover
○ Proper drainage planning
Cultural Factors ○ Slope stabilization
techniques
1. Land Use – Reviews zoning
regulations and adjacent property
ownership. Hydrology and Drainage
2. Traffic and Transit – Analyzes
● Hydrologic Cycle: The continuous
circulation patterns and access
movement of water through the
points.
environment.
3. Density and Zoning – Assesses
● Aquifers: Geological formations
legal and regulatory requirements.
that store and transmit
4. Socioeconomic Factors –
groundwater.
Examines community needs and
● Watersheds: Areas that direct
economic impact.
surface water to a common
5. Utilities – Evaluates water supply,
drainage point.
sewage, power, and
● Drainage Management: Proper
communication systems.
design prevents flooding and soil
6. Historic Factors – Identifies
erosion.
historic buildings and
archaeological sites.
Role of Vegetation in Site
Aesthetic Factors Planning

1. Natural Features – Incorporates ● Climatic Control: Reduces heat,

existing land assets into design. filters sunlight, and buffers wind.
2. Spatial Patterns – Defines open ● Environmental Engineering:
space arrangements. Improves air quality, reduces
3. Visual Resources – Enhances noise, and prevents erosion.
views and scenic elements. ● Architectural Uses: Defines
spaces, screens views, and
enhances aesthetics.
Wildlife Conservation

● Openland Wildlife: Requires

grasslands and seed crops.
● Woodland Wildlife: Thrives in
tree-covered habitats.
● Wetland Wildlife: Depends on
water bodies and aquatic
vegetation.

Climate Considerations

● Solar Orientation: Determines

best-facing slopes for buildings.
● Wind Flow: Affects ventilation and
air turbulence.
● Passive Cooling Strategies:
Utilizes natural elements for
energy efficiency.