Site Planning and Design

Site Planning and Design is the art and science of arranging structures on land and shaping the spaces between them. This comprehensive process involves analyzing a location's natural features, such as topography and ecology, alongside its cultural context and regulatory constraints, to create a functional, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing arrangement. It determines the optimal placement of buildings, the layout of circulation for vehicles and pedestrians, grading and drainage strategies, and the design of open spaces and plantings. As a foundational discipline, site planning serves as the critical bridge between the broader scope of landscape architecture and the specific focus of architectural design, ensuring that a project is harmoniously integrated into its environment.

1. Introduction to Site Planning and Design
   1. Defining Site Planning
      1. Definition and Purpose
      2. Scope and Scale Considerations
      3. Site Planning vs. Master Planning
      4. Project Size Classifications
      5. Relationship to Architecture
      6. Relationship to Landscape Architecture
      7. Relationship to Urban Planning
      8. Relationship to Civil Engineering
   2. Historical Evolution of Site Planning
      1. Pre-Industrial Settlement Patterns
         1. Indigenous Planning Approaches
         2. Vernacular Settlement Forms
         3. Agricultural Land Organization
         4. Defensive Settlement Strategies
      2. Industrial Revolution Impacts
         1. Grid System Development
         2. Railroad and Infrastructure Influence
         3. Factory Town Planning
         4. Urban Expansion Patterns
      3. Garden City Movement
         1. Ebenezer Howard's Principles
         2. Letchworth and Welwyn Garden Cities
         3. Influence on Suburban Development
         4. Greenbelt Communities
      4. Modernist Planning Principles
         1. Functional Zoning Concepts
         2. Separation of Land Uses
         3. Le Corbusier's Influence
         4. Urban Renewal Approaches
      5. Contemporary Planning Movements
         1. New Urbanism Principles
         2. Smart Growth Strategies
         3. Transit-Oriented Development
         4. Sustainable Community Design
   3. Fundamental Design Principles
      1. Unity and Coherence
         1. Visual Continuity
         2. Material Consistency
         3. Stylistic Harmony
      2. Balance and Proportion
         1. Symmetrical Balance
         2. Asymmetrical Balance
         3. Human Scale Considerations
         4. Monumental Scale Applications
      3. Hierarchy and Organization
         1. Spatial Hierarchy
         2. Circulation Hierarchy
         3. Focal Point Creation
         4. Emphasis Techniques
      4. Rhythm and Pattern
         1. Repetitive Elements
         2. Planting Patterns
         3. Paving Rhythms
         4. Architectural Repetition
      5. Function and Performance
         1. Functional Zoning
         2. Multi-Use Strategies
         3. Performance Standards
         4. User Experience Design