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SITE STUDY CHECKLIST

1. Physical Factors

- Climate:

- Wind direction, velocities (min, max, avg. ), special forces.

Wind Direction

• Importance:

o Influences building orientation and ventilation.

o Impacts energy efficiency in design (e.g., positioning windbreaks,

ventilation systems).

o Affects the placement of turbines in wind energy projects.

• Assessment:

o Use wind roses to visualize prevailing wind directions.

o Meteorological data from nearby weather stations or on-site sensors is

collected over time.

2. Wind Velocities

• Categories:

o Minimum Velocity: Light breezes, essential for natural ventilation

studies.

o Maximum Velocity: Critical for determining structural resilience against

storms or high wind events.

o Average Velocity: Helps in understanding the general wind conditions for

the site.

• Importance:

o Impacts structural design to resist wind loads.

o Influences pedestrian comfort in urban areas.

o Determines energy generation potential in wind power projects.

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• Assessment:

o Long-term data collection from meteorological stations or wind sensors.

o Simulation models or computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for complex

terrain.

3. Special Forces

Cyclones

• Key Features:

o Wind speeds exceeding 119 km/h (tropical cyclone thresholds).

o Can cause storm surges, heavy rainfall, and flooding.

• Impact on Site:

o Requires robust structural designs to withstand high wind pressures.

o Impacts evacuation planning and disaster preparedness.

• Study Parameters:

o Historical cyclone paths and intensities.

o Wind and surge maps for the site region.

• Construction: Selecting materials and structural designs resistant to wind loads

and special forces.

• Renewable Energy: Optimizing wind turbine placement for maximum energy

yield.

- Solar orientation: sun angles, days of sunlight, shading impact.

- Temperature and humidity variations.

- Precipitation: rainfall intensity, drainage needs.

Precipitation, specifically rainfall intensity and its implications for drainage, is a critical
aspect of site studies.

1. Rainfall Intensity

• Assessment:
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o Historical Data: Gather rainfall records from meteorological stations or

government databases. On-Site Measurements: Rain gauges for
localized data collection.

Why Rainfall Intensity Matters

• Structural Design: Impacts roofing, guttering, and building facades.

• Infrastructure: Guides road grading, culvert sizing, and stormwater systems.

Drainage Importance

• Prevents Flooding: Efficient drainage avoids water accumulation and reduces

property damage.

• Erosion Control: Controls soil erosion by managing runoff.

• Public Health: Reduces standing water that can breed pests and cause
diseases.

Key Factors in Drainage Design

1. Site Topography:

o Steeper slopes lead to faster runoff, requiring robust systems.

o Flat areas need efficient drainage gradients to avoid water stagnation.

o Sandy soils drain quickly.

o Clayey soils retain water, increasing runoff and waterlogging risks.

2. Surface Coverage:

o Impervious Surfaces: Roads, pavements, and buildings increase runoff.

o Green Areas: Vegetated areas improve infiltration and reduce runoff.

Applications in Site Studies

o Designing roads, sidewalks, and stormwater systems to prevent urban

flooding.

o Ensuring proper irrigation and drainage to avoid waterlogging.

o Protecting foundations and preventing basement flooding.

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- Topography:

- Contours, slopes, elevations, visual characteristics.

- Natural features like hills, valleys, or water bodies.

1. Contours

o Provides a detailed understanding of topography.

o Aids in determining drainage patterns and water flow.

o Helps in site grading and earthwork calculations.

• Applications:

o Road and pathway design to follow natural terrain.

o Planning terraces for agriculture or construction.

o Identifying flood-prone or erosion-prone areas.

2. Slopes

o Determines the feasibility of construction and infrastructure placement.

o Affects stability, requiring measures like retaining walls or slope

stabilization.

o Influences vegetation and land use patterns.

• Applications:

o Designing roads and pathways with safe gradients.

o Determining suitable locations for buildings or terraces.

3. Elevations

o Higher elevations may have better views but face exposure to wind and
weather.

o Critical for hydrological studies, especially for water flow and drainage.

o Positioning buildings to maximize views and minimize risks.

o Designing water supply systems.

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o Flood risk assessment for low-lying areas.

4. Visual Characteristics

o Landforms: Hills, valleys, cliffs, and plains.

o Vegetation: Trees, shrubs, and grasslands that contribute to the visual

appeal.

o Water Bodies: Lakes, rivers, or ponds that enhance scenic value.

o Skyline: The horizon line formed by natural or built features.

o Visual Analysis:

▪ Site visits and photography.

▪ 3D models and visual simulations.

o Enhances the aesthetic value of developments.

o Ensures harmony with the natural environment.

o Increases property value in residential or commercial developments.

• Applications:

o Orienting buildings to capture the best views.

o Preserving natural features for recreation.

o SITE Visits:

o Ground-truthing observations to confirm remote sensing data.

o Assessing visual characteristics and unique features.

o Reducing environmental impact through sensitive design.

- Existing Access and Circulation :-

- Vehicular and pedestrian routes.

- Proximity to transportation hubs.

- Vegetation:
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- Existing trees and green cover.

- Opportunities for preservation and transplantation.

- Utilities:

- Availability of potable water, electricity, gas, sewage, and storm drainage.

- Backup systems

2. Historical/Social Factors

- Site History:

- Previous uses, hazardous dumping, or landfill history.

- Surrounding Land Uses:

- Residential, commercial, and industrial impacts.

- Community Services:

- Proximity to schools, parks, hospitals, public transportation, and shopping centre.

3. Regulatory Factors

Permitted uses, height restrictions, setback requirements.

Open space, floor area ratio (FAR), and plot coverage guidelines.

Accessibility:

Parking and access for disabled persons.

Emergency and service vehicle access.

4. Environmental Factors

- Noise levels, air quality, and vibrations.

- Views and vistas, integration with natural surroundings.

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5. Sustainable Aspects

- Solar energy potential, rainwater harvesting feasibility.

- Passive design strategies for ventilation and shading.

- Minimizing environmental impact through green infrastructure.

Case study :-

Site Level

1. Location

• Exact position on the map.

• Historical context of the site.

• Proximity to the nearest landmark.

2. Accessibility

• Position relative to the main road (e.g., adjacent, corner site with dual access).

• Entry/exit points for pedestrians and vehicles:

o Gate width.

o Pavement material and design.

• Barrier-free design:

o Gradient and placement of ramps.

o Handrails, step heights, levels, and pavement patterns.

3. Road Geometrics

• Widths, curves, intersections, and connections within the site.

4. Topography

• Land contours and elevations.

5. Utilities
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• Water Supply:

o Storage tank location, sump capacity, and connections.

o Source: municipal or other.

• Waste Disposal:

o Location of chambers and treatment methods.

• Other Services:

o Electricity, telephone, drainage, fire safety systems, stormwater

management, etc.

6. Surrounding Context

• Neighbourhood structure and its influence.

• Views, vistas, and noise sources .(how they took care of it)

7. Parking Facilities

• Number and types of spaces (2W, 4W, bus parking).

• Entry and exit points, driveway layout, and signage.

9. Environmental Conditions

• Sustainability considerations:

o Rainwater harvesting.

o Solar power installations.

o Stormwater management.

10. Buildings Around

• Style: Roof patterns, merging/contrasting with the neighbourhood.

• Impact: Height and form-mass relationship.

Building Level

1. Planning Study

• Design Concept: Principles and themes.

• Spatial Zoning:

o Horizontal: Arrangement of areas on the same floor.

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o Vertical: Allocation across floors.

• Circulation:

o Entry/exit placements.

o proximities of spaces.

• Drawings:

o Site plan, floor plans, elevations, sections, and views.

• Area Statements:

o For primary spaces and circulation areas (corridors, staircases).

2. Climatic Conditions

• Macro and micro-climate data:

o Sun path and orientation.

o Wind flow and vegetation interaction.

o Rainfall.

3. Parking Planning

• Safety and accessibility.

• Driveway circulation.

• Capacity and layout for different vehicles (2W, 4W, buses).

4. Floor Plan Study

• Furniture layouts.

• Window and door placements.

• Circulation and activity mapping.

5. Activity Areas

• Analysis of daily/occasional user activities.

• Space allocations for different uses.

• Storage and support spaces.

• Peak operational times.

6. Aesthetic Assessment

• Integration of built and unbuilt spaces:

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o Landscaping, outdoor seating, and their usability.

• Exterior material selection:

o Visual and contextual harmony.

7. Building Materials

• Structural systems.

• Aesthetic and functional material choices.

Room/Unit Level

1. User and Activity

• User demographics (age, gender, group size).

• Movement and functional patterns in the room.

• Area and clearance requirements.

2. Doors and Windows

• Placement and dimensions:

o Views, ventilation, and daylighting.

• Safety features and materials.

3. Furniture and Anthropometry

o Standards for different user groups.

o Heights, clearances, and spatial comfort.

• Furniture dimensions and placement.

4. Lighting

o Orientation, glare, and reflections.

o Placement, intensity, and coverage.

5. Material Study

• Wall, flooring, and finishing materials:

o Texture, durability, and fixing details.

6. Interior Aesthetics

• Psychological impacts of colours and textures:

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o Paints, cladding, and surface finishes.

o Methods and reasons for material selection.

7. Barrier-Free Design

• Horizontal/vertical clearances for accessibility.

• Textures and materials for safe navigation.