LANDSCAPE &

SITE PLANNING
Group-3
SUBMITTED TOAR. MEENAKSHI SINGH
AR. SHAAN CHOUDHARY
AR. MONIKA SARAF

SUBMITTED BYANJANI DESHRAJ

PREKSHA LOKHANDE

ANKIT LAMBHATE

PRIYA KASERA

ANKIT RATHORE

PRIYANKA DANAL

ANNIE BADKUL

PRIYANKA GUPTA

ANSHIKA SHARMA

PURVITA SHAH
RAJAT MAKWANE

SITE SELECTION CRITIRIA

The process of calculating the degree of resource use and the degree of disturbance of
existing natural systems , which is required to support a development begins with site
selection.

The most environmentally sound development is one that disturbs as little of the
existing site as possible .Adaptive re-use of the existing buildings , or redevelopment of
disturbed site requires minimal disruption of natural systems and should be encouraged.

The best way to minimize transportation needs for a proposed development is

- select a site which is located within or adjacent to residential , shopping , or work
opportunities.
- provide a mix of uses on-site to meet the needs of residents and or employees

Site located within or adjacent to existing development allow for the most efficient and
cost effective extension of utilities.

SITE PLANNING PROCESS

The site planning process is designed to occur sequentially,

from beginning to end, resulting in the final Site Plan which
is a detailed plan that will be used to develop construction
drawings. The process involves standard land use planning
practices in three major phases:

Identification: The identification phase includes setting

goals and objectives, defining detailed facility and spatial
requirements, defining functional relationships, and
collecting base data and maps.

Evaluation: The evaluation phase includes analysing the

data collected and preparing site opportunities and
constraints map.

Implementation: Implementation identifies project

development and execution procedures. The site plan
provides the location, arrangement, and size of all the
various elements of the facility. After the site plan is the
prepared, the architectural and engineering construction
plans, specifications, quantity take-offs, and cost estimates
will be prepared.

Goals and Objectives

The goals and objectives of the site are based upon the goals and
objectives of the user mission and installation development.

The goals and objectives become guidelines for the planning process. The
goals are more general in nature, while the objectives define specific
actions that will achieve the goals.

Facility and Land Requirement

The actual requirements and spatial needs for the site should also be
reviewed. Accurate project requirements are fundamental to organizing
and locating project elements on site.

The land area requirements include the building foot print and the other
functions that are required to serve the facility, such as vehicular access,
service area, staff and visitor parking, pedestrian access and open space.

Functional Relationships

The functional relationships of the proposed facilities should be reviewed

and organized in greater detail within the site. This process consists of
analysing the interactions between facilities and activities to determine
whether they should be close together or separated in order to function in
a compatible manner.

Base Map

The inventory of the site data will occur simultaneously with the definition of
project requirements and their functional relationships. This inventory includes the
collection of base maps and data about the environmental and manmade
characteristics of the site and its environs.

Base maps will have been prepared for the area development plan and/or
concept plan for the site. These maps may not include the detail required for the
preparation of a Site Plan, however, they will serve as useful reference guides
during site plan preparation.

Data Collection

Data to be collected falls into three broad categories corresponding to the three
environments in which people live and work:

natural environment

built environment

socio-cultural environment

Site Visit

A site visit is essential to the preparation of a site analysis. It provides guidance for the
procedures of the visual survey.
The site visit provides the opportunity to:

Review and verify existing information. This can be done visually and with
photography and sketches.

Evaluate the compatibility of existing on- and off-site conditions.

Discover previously unknown or unrecorded conditions and factors.

Evaluate the design qualities and visual qualities of the site.

EVALUATION

Site Analysis

After the detailed base maps and data for the site are collected,
the data should be recorded on the maps to define in detail the
physical and environmental characteristics of the site and its
immediate environment.
The map will be an accurate depiction of the site and its
characteristics including:

On Site Conditions

Off Site Conditions

Opportunities and Constraints:

The second step in evaluating the development potential of the

site is the preparation of a site opportunities and constraints
map. This map is a graphic representation of all of the positive
and negative site characteristics analysed in the site analysis
that will influence the location of the elements of the Site Plan.

Alternative Plan Development

Alternative plans are developed as a tool for

selecting the most desirable final location of
site elements. Each alternative plan should
be prepared in sketch form to scale.

Alternative Plan Evaluation

Upon completion of the alternative plan, a

preferred alternative can be selected. The
alternative plan notations and other records
can be used to prepare a list of pros and
cons for each alternative. These evaluations
can then be used to compare the
alternatives through the use of a matrix
created to compare elements of each
alternative plan.

 Final Site Plan

Preparing a final site plan is the result of the
alternative plan evaluation.

Preliminary Site Plan: The preliminary plan

will be prepared as a sketch plan. The
Preliminary Site Plan will be presented to the
installation review team for review and
approval before the final Site Plan is
prepared. The preliminary Site Plan will show
the location of all program elements on the
site and indicate land use, circulation,
utilities, and access for the site.

Final Site Plan. The final Site Plan is prepared

from the approved Preliminary Site Plan. In
the final Site Plan, the program elements,
land use, circulation, utilities, and access are
developed in more detail.

SITE INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS

In many respects site analysis is the most important step in the successful site
design process. The purposes of the preliminary site analysis are to gather data
for preliminary planning, evaluate the site for compatibility with the proposed
project or use, recognize concerns requiring additional study.
Through the process of site inventory and analysis, you can determine elements
and conditions that will impact the ultimate use and design of your landscape.

WHERE DO WE BEGIN?
Identify and locate all site elements on your property by size,
material and condition.
Find out the history of the site, how it once was used,
and if such use is still relevant today.

SOME POINTS TO BE KEPT IN MIND WHILE

ANALYSIS:

LOCATE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS

UNDERSTAND ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM
INVENTORY FACTORS THAT AFFECT CLIMATE
SUNPATH
CLIMATE
SOIL COMPOSITION AND CLASSIFICATION
TOPOGRAPHY
WIND PATTERNS
VEGETATION

 Locate Important Elements

Walk your land with a scale-drawn property survey and roughly locate
important built elements such as walks, driveways, utilities, and fences,
as well as natural features like existing trees and shrubs, rock
outcroppings, and on and off-site views.

Understand Ecological Systems

As it is best to treat natural systems with regard, discern how natural
areas can be maintained and where they are most vulnerable.

Inventory Factors that Affect Climate

It is essential to inventory the prevailing wind directions, patterns of sun
and shade, existing topography, and soiltype on a site in order to identify
the different "microclimates" that exist.

 Sun Path
One of the best ways to improve certain site conditions is to understand the sun's path
across the entire area. For example, a house with southern exposure will benefit from
the strategic placement of deciduous shade treesalong the southwest corner; to lower
the amount of heat and glare received onsummerafternoons.

Climate/Microclimate
Different climates have specific temperature and precipitation characteristics that
suggest particular siting and building practices.

Soil Composition and Classification

Soil is the result of decomposition of parent rock material. Soils are classified by
physical and chemical properties, which include grain size and distribution as well as
organic content. Soils are also categorized by their ability to support construction. Solid
rock and boulders are the most suitable base for construction, with fine sand, silt, clay,
and peat being the least suitable.

 Wind patterns:
Air-movement, both annual and diurnal, particularly influence siting of multiple
structures, to avoid damming of cold moisture-laden air, or blocking favourable cooling
breezes during periods of overheating. Properly measured wind loads and pressure
differentials are essential for designing interior air-handling systems or use of passive
solar cooling strategies.

Topography:
Site topography and adjacent landforms influence building
proportions, wind patterns, drainage strategies,
and key gravity-fed sewer-line corridors.

Vegetation
Locate all shrubs and visual characteristics such as form, branching habit, texture, and
color, flower color and fragrance, fruit, and distinguishing uses such as wildlife and
human value. Noting the overall condition of the vegetation along with a thorough
inventory will help you to decide what you want to keep and what needs to be weeded
out and what can be grown.

Site development
Theimplementationof allimprovementsthat
are needed for asitebefore construction
may begin.
The path to improving the site begins with
site preparation

Preserving existing elements:

fencing or sheltering of plant material,
structures, pavement and utilities.

Removal of unwanted elements:

disposition of landscape waste, removing

minor utilities, unwanted weeds

Locate Important Elements

Walk your land with a scale-drawn property

survey and roughly locate important built
elements such as walks, driveways, utilities,
and fences, as well as natural features like
existing trees and shrubs, rock outcroppings,
and on and off-site views.

Understand Ecological Systems

As it is best to treat natural systems with

regard, discern how natural areas can be
maintained and where they are most
vulnerable.

Inventory Factors that Affect Climate

It is essential to inventory the prevailing wind

directions, patterns of sun and shade, existing
topography, and soiltype on a site in order to
identify the different "microclimates" that
exist.

Guidelines for excavation

Excavation means a dug out area of ground and includes a deep foundation
excavation, trench, tunnel and shaft.
Excavation work can be dangerous and precautions must be taken when
excavating a trench, tunnel or shaft. Before excavation work is carried out
at the University a number of steps need to be completed to ensure the
work is safe and without risk. Keep heavy equipment away from trench
edges.
General rules for excavation
Keep
Know
Test

surcharge loads at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) from trench edges.

where underground utilities are located.

for low oxygen, hazardous fumes and toxic gases.

Inspect

trenches at the start of each shift.

Inspect

trenches following a rainstorm.

Do

not work under raised loads.

Site grading

A simple concept of grading could be described

as removing the soil from where it is not needed
and placing it where it is desired.

accomplished through a process cutting and

filling

Steps to grade a site

Creating a profile

Top soil is removed and stored for final grading

Calculation of cut and fill volume

Final grading involves adjusting the slope of the

site to provide adequate drainage

GRADING CONCEPT

Schematic grading alternatives: A defined

area ,Open area

Preparing a site grading plan: Site analysis , site

use concepts ,Schematic grading plan

Grading by spot elevations

Preliminary cut fill calculation
Final grading plan
Examples of basic area grading

FUNCTIONAL AND AESTHETIC

REASONS OF GRADING

Site Circulation.

New developments shall be

required to provide a
circulation system that
accommodates expected
traffic generated from
development. Pedestrian
connections, including
connections through large
sites, connections between
sites (as applicable), and to
adjacent sidewalks, must be
provided

Grading to create
certain levels:
Relatively flat
gradients are
needed for sports
fields, outdoor
terraces and area
near buildings

Grading to create
berms:
For noise and wind
barriers for additional
soil depth above
unfavorable sub grade
conditions, such as high
ground water table

Grading to emphasis or
control circulation

SITE DRAINAGE
INTRODUCTION

Land development invariably alter the drainage pattern of preexisting landscapes.

Development should have a minimal impact on offsite drainage and that on-site drainage will respect
or emulate natural drainage patterns whenever possible.
Strategies for the drainage should be formulated during the process of design.
A soft approach to the engineering of site drainage.

FUNCTIO
FUNCTIO
N
N
PREVENTION OF
PREVENTION OF
FLOODING
FLOODING
Remove runoff
water
minimize
unnecessary
concentrations of
water
Proper drainage
techniques

MAINTAINACE OF HIGH
MAINTAINACE OF HIGH
QUALITY WATER
QUALITY WATER

GROUND WATER
GROUND WATER
RECHARGE
RECHARGE

The adverse impact of new development

Sedimentation in stream
Nutrients from lawn fertilization
parking lots and roads
contribute toxic materials such as zinc, lead,
manganese, and cadmium to water
Use of vegetated buffer zones is solution

Depletion of
groundwater inhibits
natural cleansing of
water

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
CONSIDERATIONS
DESIGN
SOCIAL FACTORS
FACTORS
SOCIAL

NATURAL FACTORS
FACTORS
NATURAL

CLIMATE
CLIMATE

SOIL AND
AND
SOIL
TOPOGRAPHY
TOPOGRAPHY

BED ROCK
ROCK AND
AND
BED
WATER TABLE
TABLE
WATER

LAND USE
USE
LAND

SITE SIZE
SIZE
SITE

A climatic region is usually described in terms of temperature, moisture, and vegetation

Runoff is effected by soil texture and topography
Infiltration is typically greater with the greater depth to bedrock or to the water table
Dense urban areas or vegetation
Influences the extent to which a drainage system can be shared by more than one site.

DESIGNCONSIDERATIONS
CONSIDERATIONS
DESIGN

SITEANALYSIS
ANALYSIS
SITE

DETERMINATIONOF
OF
DETERMINATION
PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE

MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT
TECHNIQUES
TECHNIQUES

DRAINAGETECHNIQUE
TECHNIQUE
DRAINAGE
ANDDEVICES
DEVICES
AND

ROOFTOP
TOPSYSTEM
SYSTEM
ROOF
(garden rooftop)
(garden rooftop)

POROUSPAVING
PAVING
POROUS
(gravel , paving )
(gravel , paving )

VEGETATION
VEGETATION

CONCENTRATED UNDERGROUND FILTERATION

TILE FEILD
SEEPAGE PIT
WELLS AND SHAFT

INDUCED FILTERATION BY GROUND WATER EXTRACTION

PONDING
SEEPAGE BASIN
DETENTION POND
WATER TURBULANCE

LANDSCAPE FURNISHING
DESIGN OBJECTIVE
DESIGN OBJECTIVE
APPROPIATENESS
APPROPIATENESS

RESPONSE TO SETTING
RESPONSE TO SETTING

DESIGN
DESIGN
DETERMINANTS
DETERMINANTS
CULTURAL FACTORS
CULTURAL FACTORS

SOCIAL
SOCIAL

POLITICAL
POLITICAL

PHYSICAL FACTORS
PHYSICAL FACTORS

CLIMATE
CLIMATE

PHYSIOGRAPHY
PHYSIOGRAPHY

EXISTING BUILT
EXISTING BUILT

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
TEMPERATURE
-high
-low
PRECIPITATION
-rain
-humidity
SNOW
WIND
-cold regions
-warm regions
LIGHT
NOISE
-pleasant
-undesirable

OPERATIONAL FACTORS
HUMAN BODY DIMENSIONS AND MOVEMENT
Characteristics of the human body are essential determinants for the design of all types of site
furniture

REGULATORY STANDARDS
Site furniture must also stand up to a host of regulatory standards imposed by municipal state
and federal govt.

VEGETATION

The methods by which plants are chosen and the functions that they are intended
to serve in designed landscapes have been expanding.

While serving as sources of aesthetic pleasure, plants also reinforce the existing
native ecosystem and work as bioengineering agents for soil retention and
restoration .

Design of vegetation

Design criteria

Assessing existing vegetation

Planting plans , details and specification

Management strategies

Specialised planting

DESIGN CRITERIA
A balance must be struck between considerations of plant function, cost, hardiness, safety, and maintenance.

1 . Efforts should be made to support the existing visual character and ecological function of the site within
its regional context, through the use of native plant materials

wherever possible .

2 . Plant material can be used to create comfortable microclimates, provide screening, circulation control,
wildlife habitat, and mitigate erosive slopes or contaminated sites .

3 . Initial nursery and planting costs must always be balanced against the cost of longterm maintenance .
Plants are typically less expensive to buy and install than hardscape materials, and can require less
maintenance if properly chosen .

4 . In the United States, the hardiness rating of a given cultivar can be checked against the zones for
hardiness established by the USDA (Figure 550-1 ) . locally grown plant materials that are fully adapted to the
region should be used whenever possible to ensure hardiness .

5 . Many plant materials are poisonous, thorny, produce excessive litter, are susceptible to broken or drooping
branches, have shallow roots, or attract undesirable insects . Care must be taken in selecting plants which
are safe for users and suitable for a given purpose .

6 . Variety is encouraged to promote a diverse plant community that has a healthy resiliency to attack by
insects or disease, especially in urban street tree applications . No single genus should be represented in an
area by more than ten percent of the overall planting scheme.

7 . Trees and shrubs should be protected from lawnmowers and string trimmers that girdle the trunk . Passing
vehicles may break branches and compact the soil which can also damage plantings .

MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF PLANT MATERIALS

COST

HARDINESS

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS

MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF PLANT

MATERIALS
A.

Aesthetics :

Visual principles of colour, texture, scale, and rhythm can be used to create an
aesthetically pleasing human environment .

Special plantings of high visual interest or quality, like specimen trees or

perennial borders, can be used to dramatize certain views or alter a user's
perception of scale.

Fragrant plants also contribute to the quality of human experience in the

landscape . Conversely, the unpleasant odour of some plants may make some
people nauseous.

Efforts should also be made to support the existing visual character and
ecological function of the site within its regional context wherever possible .

The use of native plants mixed with a small proportion of compatible exotics is
generally encouraged in order to add interest and variety while reflecting a
regional context .

B. Environmental Modification :

Outdoor spaces that do not fall within the physical range of human comfort
will not be used .

The microclimate of an outdoor space can be changed through the careful

placement of trees and shrubs to block excessive sun or wind .

Plantings can also reduce snow drifting across roads and other passageways .

C. SCREENING:

Living barriers can range from semi-transparent visual screens to formidable

thorny hedges.

Plant screens can provide privacy, mark boundaries, discourage intruders, or

block unpleasant views .

D. CIRCULATION CONTROL:

Plantings can control and direct the movements of people, animals, or

vehicles .

Where established pedestrian shortcuts are to be discouraged, thorned,

dense-growing plants may be necessary to change user habits .

E. PRODUCTION :

Plants have long been harvested for food, flowers and raw building
materials . They also provide food and shelter for wildlife .

Planting can encourage the presence of birds, butterflies or other

forms of wildlife for human enjoyment .

In some cases, a site can be designed to support regional

ecosystems .

F. BIOENGINEERING AND OTHER FORMS OF MITIGATION :

The natural regenerative tendency of plant material can be used to

stabilize eroded banks, revitalize damaged soils, or strengthen
wildlife habitats .

COST

Initial nursery and planting costs must always be balanced against the
cost of long-term maintenance .

Some slow-growing trees are expensive as nursery stock but require little
care once established and can grace the landscape for hundreds of years .

The initial labor expense of careful planting may also be balanced in the
long term by the sturdiness of a vigorous, healthy plant that has been
handled gently, planted properly, and placed suitably for its requirements.

Plants can be used in many of the same ways that "hard" building
materials are used - to form outdoor walls, ceilings, fences, etc. . Although
they require more space on a site, plants are typically less expensive to
buy and install than hardscape materials, and can require less
maintenance if properly chosen.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
Designing safe environments depends on matching the proper plant
to the proper place . Some plant characteristics that should be
considered include
whether parts of the plant are poisonous,
how much litter the plant produces,
the weakness of limbs,
whether drooping branches will obstruct pathways,
whether roots will break pavement,
the existence of thorns, and
whether the plant attracts stinging insects or other pests .

A. POISONOUS PLANTS :

Plants with brightly coloured poisonous berries or leaves should not

be used where children may be tempted to eat them .

Some plants can cause an allergic reaction when touched . These

should be located out of reach .

B. LITTER-PRODUCING PLANTS :

Plants that produce messy fruit or nuts, cones, seed pods or

excessive leaf litter are hazardous to pedestrians and hinder
passage of many wheeled vehicles like strollers and wheelchairs .

In addition, some may stain clothing or pavement surfaces .

C. WEAK-BRANCHED PLANTS :

Large branches may be susceptible to breaking from wind and ice

and can cause damage and/or pose obstacles if they fall .

Weak forks in trees may also present serious safety implications .

D. PLANTS WITH DROOPING BRANCHES :

Branches that hang into walkways or streets can injure pedestrians

and cyclists and may cause damage to larger vehicles .

E. PLANTS WITH SHALLOW ROOTS :

Roots near the surface can cause sidewalk heaving, creating uneven
paths that are impassable for small-wheeled vehicles and are
dangerous for pedestrians .

F. THORNED PLANTS :

Thorny plants can be dangerous to brush into or fall against .

Thorny leaves, twigs and branches that litter the ground can also be
dangerous for people wearing light shoes or going barefoot .

G. PLANTS THAT ATTRACT INSECT :

Some people have severe reactions to insect bites and stings .

Plants that attract stinging pollinators or other insect pests should be

placed away from sitting areas and walks .

MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS
Important considerations for minimizing long-term maintenance problems include physical
separation of incompatible elements and designing with integrated pest management in
mind . These maintenance problems can be grouped in the following categories:
A.
.

PROXIMITY TO MECHANICAL ACTIVITIES :

The vigour of a tree or shrub can be greatly reduced through repeated wounding by
lawnmowers and string trimmers that girdle the trunk, or passing vehicles that may
break branches .
Soil compaction caused by pedestrian or vehicular traffic can also damage plantings .

B. PLACEMENT OF PLANTINGS :
.

Plant saplings that will become large trees under electric utility right-of-way necessitates
major trimming of limbs that often results in misshapen trees with weakened defences .

Close study of cultural requirements and mature size will eliminate many similar
problems .

Fitting the right plant to the right place includes using plant materials whose
requirements for water, light and soil match the site conditions ; placing plants that will
be large when mature away from electric lines and other structures .

C. DIVERSITY OF PLANT COMMUNITIES :

As chemical measures for fighting attacks of insects and disease become

less effective, designing to resist these attacks becomes crucial .

Monocultures can provide a fertile breeding ground for these problems.

Designs that group large numbers of trees of the same cultivar or even
from the same genera are highly vulnerable to attack .

As Dutch Elm Disease has demonstrated, reliance on a single plant is

also risky when that plant provides the backbone of a design . If the plant
is wiped out by disease, the landscape will take many years to repair.

For these reasons, no single genus should be represented in an area by

more than ten percent of the overall planting scheme.

Variety within these genera is further encouraged to promote a diverse

plant community that has a healthy resiliency to attack by insects or
disease, especially in urban street tree applications .

D. DISEASE AND INSECT RESISTANCE :

In conjunction with the recommendations above, it is important to

study the conditions of the site and to select a cultivar resistant to
potential disease or insect problems .

For trees, use of reference materials such as those found at the end of
this section or consultation with a reliable arborist will aid in selection .

E. PROXIMITY OF PLANTS :

The root systems of large trees can extend out horizontally several
times the height of the tree .

Many trees suffer disease due to proximity to heavily irrigated lawns .

Plants should be grouped according to their requirements for sun,

water, and soil chemistry.

Some insects and diseases have developed a life cycle that relies on
several plants . The Cedar-apple Rust that attacks crab-apples from
junipers is one example. These plants should be kept separate to avoid
outbreaks .

F. LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE COST:

Determining how much a client is willing to spend on long-term

maintenance is very important for ensuring a good fit between
site and design .

No design is maintenance free, but the plants used can be tailored

to fit the budget that will provide for their weeding, pruning, and
other necessary maintenance .

ASSESSING EXISTING VEGETATION

One of the first steps in assessing a landscape is examining the

existing vegetation on the site .

The age and health of existing plants generally determine their

value as a continuing element of the landscape .

Appropriateness of existing materials to the site, aesthetically

and functionally, should also be taken into account .

- PROTECTING EXISTING PLANT MATERIALS

- INVASIVE SPECIES

PROTECTING EXISTING PLANT

MATERIALS

Existing plants and new plantings need to be protected from

physical injury and root zone compaction during periods of
construction.

When the root system is damaged or impaired, the loss of

moisture through leaves can quickly outpace the amount taken
up by roots .

Young fibrous growing root tips must be protected as they are the
primary absorptive parts of the system.

DURING
CONSTRUCTION
A common method for protecting existing
plants during construction is to erect a
barrier
around the plant, enclosing an area as
large as the root zone of the plant or
plants
to be protected . This prevents compaction
of soil and other forms of damage to the
existing roots and also prevents
mechanical
damage to the plant .

LONG TERM PROTECTION

Roots require a continual supply of air, which is normally present

in tiny air spacesbetween the soil particles surrounding the roots.

Because of this need for air, as well as the need for water, the
majority of a plant's root system lies within the top 450 mm (18
in) of soil, regardless of the type or size of plant.

Measures must be taken to ensure that the root zone of a plant

(the area within the dripline of the plant) is neither compacted
nor covered with a material that would restrict the amount of air
or moisture reaching the root zone.

This type of protection is particularly important in stressful

situations such as urban environments.

INVASIVE SPECIES

Plants introduced to a region where they do not naturally occur can

have serious impacts upon the ecosystems of that region, choking
out native growth and eliminating the food and forage the native
plant provided.

Other consequences of invasive plants include altering water table

levels, changing the levels of nutrients and the chemistry of soils,
harboring insect pests, and interrupting the proper succession of
native plant communities .

Frequently the qualities that make a plant valuable in the cultivated

landscape (vigorous growth, tolerance of poor growing conditions,
resistance to local diseases and insect pests, etc .) are those qualities
that allow it to out-compete natives in the wild . Thus many of the
plants that appear on "problem-solving" lists are also invasive plants.

PLANTING PLANS, DETAILS AND

SPECIFICATIONS
Planting plans should include

common and botanical names of all plant materials,

their proposed locations (as well as locations of existing plant

material),

their sizes, and

quantities.

Most of this information typically is shown in a plant list somewhere

on the drawing(s) .

PROPER TECHNIQUES OF PLANTING

Poor installation kills many plants before they reach maturity.

Research has demonstrated that many traditional planting practices
are detrimental to the long-term health of plants .

CONDITION OF PLANTS UPON INSTALLATION

Inspect plants carefully upon their arrival at the site .

Damage to leaves and stems can occur during transport and handling.

There should be no unhealed wounds in the bark or stem of the plant

and no major broken branches .

Container plants that are extremely root-bound should be rejected .

Root-bound plants can be spotted by clumps of root tendrils pushing

through drainage holes or by tops that are excessively large for the
container in which they are growing .

If there are many roots circling the outside of the ball, the plant has
been left in the container too long .

Girdling roots eventually strangle themselves if not redirected .

PLANTING HOLES :

Plants require soil with more air for initial rooting than they will for long-term growth, although
even mature trees will have the major part of their root systems within the top few feet of soil
where the most air is present .
Planting holes should be wide and shallow, not narrow and deep.
The hole should be at least two times wider than the root ball, but no deeper. If properly dug,
the hole will support the root ball on firm subsoil, with the root flare set at the same level it has
grown.
A hole that is slightly shallow is better than a hole that is too deep.
Non-biodegradable nursery wrappings (i .e . plastic or wire) around the roots must be carefully
removed or they will constrict the roots .
Burlap can be left in place if the top third of the root ball is unwrapped .

Container plants should be planted as quickly as possible upon removal from the container.

The white, growing root tips are crucial to the quick establishment of a healthy root system and
are damaged by even brief exposure to air.

Plants installed in the fall benefit from warm soils, stored energy, and a long dormant period for
good root establishment before the stresses of summer heat and drought .

Favouring one season over the others is not always feasible for commercial applications, but a
broad range of species benefit from fall planting .

A few species are not recommended for fall planting and are referred to as "fall hazards ."

Consult a nursery or arborist for a complete list of these plants .

MULCHES AND FERTILIZATION:

Mulches moderate soil temperatures, retain moisture and air around

roots, and suppress weed growth that competes with plant roots for
water and nutrients .

Spreading 75 to 100 mm (3 to 4 in) of mulch 1 .5 to 2 .1 m (5 to 7 ft)

around trees and a meter around other plantings is most effective .

Bare soil should be left at the base of the plant to avoid trunk
suffocation or rot .

Permeable weed barrier fabrics may be used under mulches, but

impermeable weed materials such as black plastic restrict oxygen
reaching the root zone and should not be used .

Fertilize on the surface at spring or fall, or use slow-release tablets in

tree planting holes .

Plants need extra nitrogen right after planting and especially in the
fall when their roots are most active .

BACKFILLS:

Planting holes should be backfilled with the same soil that was
removed, with no amendments .

Amendments such as compost, peat and sand may actually inhibit

the root penetration of surrounding soil and slow overall growth due
to poor capillarity.

Fill material should be thoroughly watered as it is backfilled into the

hole to remove any air pockets .

Soil should be firm enough to support the root ball, but not packed to
the point that the tiny pores that hold water and air between soil
particles disappear.

Aerated soil is crucial to root establishment.

Watering berms help collect water and deliver it to the root ball .

In heavy soils with poor drainage, or during excessively wet seasons,

berms may need to be broken until dry weather makes them
necessary again .

TRUNK WRAPPING AND GUYING:

Trunk wraps on nursery trees make a thorough inspection of bark and

trunk health impossible, shelter insect infestations, and hold moisture
around the bark where fungus or disease may cause problems .

To prevent 'sunburn' after planting, note which side of the trunk was
exposed to direct sunlight at the nursery and set the plant similarly when
it is installed .

STAKING AND GUYING:

Trees should be staked only when necessary.

Trees will be healthier if allowed to adapt to the winds of the site

naturally, and will develop sturdy, flexible trunks and branches .

Where sites are unusually windy or specimens are too large to be stable
initially, staking may be required until the plant can support itself .

Two to three stakes should be placed around the plant and attached to
the trunk with various types of fabric strapping systems .

Stakes should be removed after the second growing season .

PRUNING AT PLANTING TIME:

Remove only dead or damaged branches, or those that threaten

the appearance and branching structure of the tree .

Traditional pruning back of a third of the upper branches does not

aid plant establishment in most ball and burlap stock, however
forest- collected stock may benefit from such pruning prior to
planting .

GENERAL NOTES ON PLANTING

1 . The contractor shall locate and verify the existence of all utilities prior to starting work .
2 . The contractor shall supply all plant materials in quantities sufficient to complete the planting shown on all drawings .
3. No plant shall be put into the ground before rough grading has been finished and approved by theproject architect or equal .
4. All plants shall bear the same relationship to finished grade as the plant's original grade before digging.
5. All plants shall be balled and wrapped or container grown as specified . No container grown stock will be accepted if it is root
bound. All root wrapping material made of synthetics or plastics shall be removed at time of planting .
6 . With container grown stock, the container shall be removed and the container ball shall be cut through the surface in two
vertical locations .
7. The day prior to planting, the location of all trees and shrubs shall be staked for approval by the project landscape architect or
equal .
8 . All plant material shall be selected at the nurseries by the project landscape architect or equal .
9. All plants shall be sprayed with an antidessicant within 24 hours after planting . In temperate zones, all plants shall be sprayed
with an antidessicant at the beginning of their first winter.
10 . All plants shall be installed as per details and the contract specifications .
11 . All plants and stakes shall be set plumb unless otherwise specified .
12 . The landscape contractor shall provide fill as per the contract specifications .
13 . All plants shall be watered thoroughly twice during the first 24- hour period after planting . All plants shall then be watered
weekly, if necessary, during the first growing season .
14. The landscape contractor shall refer to the contract specifications for additional requirements .
15. The landscape contractor shall refer to the plant list for seasonal requirements related to the time of planting .

SPECIALISED PLANTING
STRATEGIES

USING NATIVE PLANTS

XERISCAPING AND WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPES

URBAN FORESTRY

PLANTING ON DISTURBED SITES

PLANTING FOR BIOENGINEERING

USING NATIVE PLANTS

Natives are adapted to seasonal extremes of temperature and moisture and thus are often able to
survive frosts and droughts that hardy exotics cannot.

They require less irrigation out of season .

They reinforce local ecosystems, bringing butterflies, birds and other animals into contact with
people .

Natives require very little maintenance once properly established and help to preserve the unique
character of a region .

The first step towards designing with plants is understanding the plant communities that exist in
undisturbed conditions in the region .

Traditional planting plans often seek to moderate change and to organize space through grouping
plants by their colour and texture .

These objectives are supported by thousands of years of plant hybridization that has produced
cultivars with large, brightly coloured flowers and long bloom periods . By contrast, native
communities rely on change and diversification to buffer them from stress .

Many species are intermixed and produce overlapping waves of short bloom periods .
Native flowers tend to be smaller and more subtly coloured . In addition, the composition of native
plant communities can change radically from one year to the next, in response to seasonal climate
and stress .

Understanding the character of native plant communities is a prime requirement for

designing with native plants .

Natives can be planted in drifts, but those that spread by seed will not necessarily stay
where they are placed .

It is better to orchestrate overall bloom times and heights of a mixture, so that the
newest blooms will be visible .

Some spring wildflowers bloom early and then enter summer dormancy .

Take advantage of their early colour and then cover the same area with more persistent
plants that emerge and bloom later.

Finding native seed or nursery stock in sufficient quantity can be a problem .

Many mail-order companies exist that deal in native seeds, but the best seed stock is
from a local source .

Use reputable nurseries that propagate natives responsibly and can document their
sources .

In most states, digging up rare specimens from the wild is illegal, but the practice
persists .

Do not use plant material whose source you cannot trace .

Native plantings can be labour-intensive to establish, but once they are stable and
mature they will require little to no maintenance .

XERISCAPING AND WATER

EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE

Xeriscaping is a planting practice that relies on minimal or no irrigation,

eschewing heavily watered landscapes in favor of those that combine low
water requirements with the unique beauty of plants adapted to the region .

The seven areas of concern in xeriscape designs as defined by the National

Xeriscape Council, Inc. (NXCI) are :
-PLANNING AND DESIGN
-SOIL ANALYSIS AND IMPROVEMENT
>STRUCTURE
>CHEMISTRY
>PRACTICAL TURF AREAS
-EFFICIENT IRRIGATION
-MULCHING

PLANNING AND DESIGN:

A rich palette of drought-tolerant plant materials exists worldwide, although

natives are best adapted and should form the overall framework for a dry
garden .

Where traditional garden styles from other climates are required, adapt to the
dry environment.

Xeriscape gardens do not have to be spare and bare ; drought-tolerant plants

can look lush without heavy irrigation .

SOIL ANALYSIS AND IMPROVEMENT

Soil quality is the major determining factor in a well-planned xeriscape garden,

directly affecting the vigour and water efficiency of plants .

Structure:

Soil that has been heavily amended with organic material helps plants survive
periods of drought, although some plants prefer poor soil .

However, amending within planting holes is actually detrimental to the long

term health of plants-complete replacement of soil or no amending is better in
this case .

Chemistry:

- Soil pH is largely determined by underlying material and the amount and pH of available water . These
natural factors have a more profound, long lasting influence upon the soil's chemistry than amendments
or mulches .
.

Choose plants adapted to site conditions rather than trying to alter the pH of the soil .

There is no 'perfect' soil . Designers must develop a good understanding of the soil structure and
chemistry on site, and then aim for a good match between soil characteristics and plant requirements .

PRACTICAL TURF AREAS:

Where lawn is necessary, follow these guidelines :
For arid climates1 . Use turf only where it is clearly serving a purpose such as play areas, sports fields, etc .
2 . Shape turf areas to allow maximum irrigation efficiency. The ratio of area to perimeter should be high .
Do not use lawn in areas too small or narrow to be irrigated efficiently.
3 . Avoid using turf on slopes where irrigation cannot be efficient-use alternate groundcovers or low-water
use grass .
For wetter climates1 . Even without heavy irrigation costs, lawns are still high-maintenance elements of the landscape .
Evaluate turf areas against maintenance budgets and functional needs .
2 . Consider using a variety of turf that can survive in that climate without any supplemental irrigation .

EFFICIENT IRRIGATION:

Harvest rainwater from impervious surfaces such as roofs and pavements ;

run downspouts into planting beds; grade pavement to run off into lawns or
beds ; terrace steep slopes to collect rainwater ; use collection swales at the
foot of slopes to collect runoff.

All plants require irrigation for the first few years after planting . If the design
aims for eventual independence from irrigation, hand-watering or use of a
minimal, inexpensive system may be enough.

For permanently irrigated landscapes, use drip irrigation wherever possible .

Drip systems waste very little water, as they deliver water directly to the roots
. This also promotes deeper root systems and leads to fewer problems with
insects and diseases that are fostered by wet leaves and stems .

Sprinklers are the only option for lawns and some other situations . Sprinklers
that spray water high into the air lose more water to evaporation than lower
spraying . Irrigate with sprinklers in the early morning (before sunrise)
wherever possible .

The following recommendations apply to all forms of irrigation, whether in arid or wet climates:

Irrigate deeply and infrequently to promote resilient, deep root systems .

Calibrate rate and duration of water delivery to minimize runoff .

Monitor irrigation consumption and adjust monthly to meet changing conditions .

Allow for regular maintenance of irrigation systems . Leaks and plugs in irrigation lines not
only waste water ; they can kill plants and damage structures.

MULCHING:
Mulch conserves soil moisture, moderates soil temperatures, limits reflected heat that damages
plants, holds and builds the soil, prevents weeds, and helps control erosion from wind and rain .
There are several cautions that apply to mulches. They are:

Some mulches, such as shredded bark or pine needles, are flammable when dry . Use
caution when mulching near sources of heat or sparks .

Fresh mulches, such as new wood chips or sawdust, draw nitrogen from the soil when they
begin to decompose . Use a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer with these mulches .

Any organic mulch can provide cover for such pests as slugs, sowbugs, earwigs, and
rodents . If these pests become a problem, pull mulch back at least 150 mm (6 in) from the
base of plantings that are under attack or consider using a different type of mulch.

Urban Forestry

The conditions which must be endured by trees in urban areas

cause the majority of street tree plantings to die within ten years
of their installation .

Extreme heat, soil that has been compacted or contaminated

with building fill or other urban contaminants, and damage from
vandals are only a few of the factors that urban trees must
contend with .

Traditional planting techniques contribute to this high mortality

rate because they do not provide sufficient root space and
drainage .

Planting on Disturbed Sites

Restoration of disturbed landscapes involves work on many different
levels .

Plant species must be well-adapted to the site in order to grow into

self-sustaining populations . This implies primary reliance upon
native species that have been raised in conditions that
approximate those of the site .

Plants are frequently transplanted or direct-seeded from material

gathered nearby.

Sometimes nurse crops or pioneer plantings are introduced as a

way to arrive at the target plant community.

Grasses can be used for fast stabilization of slopes and soil

improvement.

Planting for Bioengineering

Bioengineering relies on plant materials to stabilize eroded stream

banks and other areas suffering damage from excessive runoff .

It generally involves replacing hard, inflexible support structures

that degrade over time with soft, flexible systems of plants that
grow and improve over time and increase the wildlife habitat
values of the area .

Plants that are well-suited to these techniques share certain

characteristics.

They are generally native successional plants that can tolerate

moist conditions, have the ability to root quickly from stem nodes,
can spread vegetative, and form strong root systems when
established .

COMMON FORMS OF PLANTS

Trees
Plants

Advantages

Disadvantages

CONTAINER TREES: Young trees in

plastic or metal cans (size 1,3,5 and
7 gallons)

-Young trees establish themselves

faster and have more flexibility to
adapt to the condition of their new
homes.
-Container trees can be healthier
than older stock

-Do not provide mature

appearance for many years.
-May develop circling roots if left in
container for too long.

BAILED AND BURLAPPED TREES:

Common medium sized specimens,
field grown or dug for the planting
season, with a ball of field soil
retained at the roots. The ball is
wrapped with burlap, plastic, cloth
or wire cage

BOXED TREES: Older, larger trees;

moved to large wooden containers

No circling roots
More care must be taken during
planting to remove the ball
cover to avoid future girdling of
roots.
Can be more hardy than other
forms

- Some roots may have been

damaged or severed during digging
of roots.

Provide instant effect

- More expensive to purchase

- Harder to settle
- Can be slower to recover from
transplant

Shrubs and Perennials

Plants

Advantages

BARE-ROOT PLANTS: sold in

dormant stage. Tops and roots are
pruned back, most of the soil being
washed away from the roots

CONTAINER PLANTS: sold with

upper branches and root systems
intact. Available at all times of the
year.

SMALLER PERENNIALS: can be

found in four-inch plastic or peat
pots. Peat pots are advantageous
over plastic pots. Plastic potted
plants share the same advantages
and disadvantages as the container
plants.

Disadvantages

Cheaper than container plants

Establish themselves faster than
the container plants and can be
healthier in the longer run

Flower and leaf colour are easy

to verify.
Wider variety of plant material is
available in this form.
Can be planted year around.

- Can be set directly in soil and left

in place, where they will
biodegrade, minimizing the root
disturbances.

Must be bought and planted in

the proper season.
Characteristics such as colour of
leaves and flowers are not
visible at the time of purchase.
Can be root bound leading to
poor root development later.
more expensive than bare-root.

- Peat pots can slow the initial root

growth as the roots attempt to push
the peat walls.

Groundcovers
Plants

Advantages

CONTAINERS: used for large

prostate shrubs that function as
groundcovers.

Better for large areas of

groundcover.
Sturdier at outset.

Disadvantages
-

Planting grid must be worked

out carefully to avoid bare
patches.
Take longer to fill in than closely
placed flats.

FLATS: trays of small, quickspreading plants that have been

started from seeds or cuttings.
Grown to form a mat of stem and
the root growth must be cut into
plugs or separated by hands or
planting.

Economical
Can be planted quickly and
easily.

- Smaller root balls are more

susceptible to drying out during and
immediately after planting.

SEEDS: not commonly used for

commercial landscaping but popular
for home gardens.

- Cheapest way to plant.

- Plants grown from local seeds are
well-adapted to the site , a
necessity for restoration.
- Easier to achieve a random
pattern.

- Patterning of plants is harder to

control.
- Long growing period before plants
begin to bloom.

HYDROSEEDING: used for

vegetative stabilization of slopes
which are difficult to access by
other means. A seed mixture is
directly sprayed onto the slopes in a
solution of fertilizer and water.

- Large areas can be planted easily

and quickly.
- Areas can be planted which are
otherwise difficult to access.

- Choice of seed may be limited.

- Initial appearance is unattractive.

Annuals
Plants

Advantages

Disadvantages

- Economical
MULTIPACK: sold with
- Take longer to fill in
each plant in a separate - Wide range of plants than larger plants.
plug of soil.
available in this form.
CONTAINER: annuals
are larger.
SEEDS: not commonly
used in commercial or
residential applications.
Advantages and
disadvantages same as
groundcover seeds.

- Mature and fill in

faster.

- More expensive than

multipack.

Turfs
Plants

Advantages

SOD: grown in field. Upon

ordering, sod is peeled up,
rolled or stacked and
delivered to the site. It is
the most common way to
install lawn turf.

SEED: is sown directly into

the prepared plot.

Instant effect
Good, even coverage

Disadvantages
-

Economical
Wide variety available

SPRIGGED LAWNS:
started from plugs of grass
planted at set intervals.

Economical
Faster to establish than
seeds.

Has to be installed soon

after delivery.
Cannot be used on
steep slopes or very
large areas.
Slower to grow to final
appearance.
Can require touch-up
seeding if the initial
seeding was uneven.
Take several weeks to
fill in.
Requires care to keep
weeds from growing
between plugs of grass.

LANDSCAPE FURNISHING
DESIGN OBJECTIVES FOR LANDSCAPE FURNISHING
APPROPRIATENESS:
It is important to respond to the character of a site as well as its existing and proposed function
RESPONSE TO SETTING:
Design should respond to the essential identity or inherent character of a place. Meeting
functions requirements, and adapting to the environmental stresses affecting it.

DESIGN DETERMINANTS:
1.SOCIAL CONTEXT
2.POLITICAL CONTEXT
PHYSICAL FACTORS INCLUDE
1.CLIMATE
2. NATURAL PHYSIOGRAPHY
3.THE EXISTING BUILT ENVIRONMENT

CULTURAL FACTORS
SOCIAL CONTEXT
Attention to both the existing and
proposed large scale social setting will
indicate who is currently using the site
and who will likely to use the site in future
POLITICAL CONTEXT
Administrative , operational, regulatory ,
and legal issues can compromise a design
The nature of setting , whether a public
square or a corporate courtyard, implies
major differences in the choice of design
elements.

PHYSICAL FACTORS
CLIMATE
Different climates and dramatic seasonal changes
can significantly influence the design of site
furniture and the consequent comfort of the user
PHYSIOGRAPHIC
Particular landform vegetation and other qualities
which give an area its special regional or local
character should be responded to in a congruent
manner
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Furniture elements should reflect the character of
the built environment internally integrated
between him selves, there should be a balance
between the visual importance of individual
furniture elements and there compatibility within
the visual context of the settings

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
INDIVIDUAL SITE FURNITURE ELEMENTS AHOULD MEET SEVERAL
ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA
TEMPERATURE
High :
Benches, handles and handrails exposed to full sunlight should be
non-metallic and light in colour to remain comfortable in touch.
Low :
Site furniture should be placed to take advantage of winter sun traps
, material which absorb and radiate.
Darkly coloured smoothly textured materials will inhabit snow and
ice accumulation
PRECIPITATION
Rain :
Site furniture used for sitting should be places in sheltered locations
Benches should drain well, they could be constructed of no
absorptive materials to promote rapid drain
Humidity :
All materials be naturally decay and fungus resistant , or specially
treated to minimise mildew, rot and consequent staining .

SNOW:
adequate drainage is essential for carrying a snow melt and preventing ice
formation.
Furniture should be located where winter sunlight can help to maintain the snow.
WIND
Cold regions: Patterns of snow drifting should be studied to minimise its
accumulation on furniture .
Warm regions: furniture can be located to take advantage of natural cooling
breezes.
Trees can provide shade and to some extent control the moment of air.
LIGHT
Minimize the glare from light fixtures and intense sunlight .
Locate furniture and specially out door sign in such a way as to minimise the
glare from them caused while low sun angles on wet frosted or otherwise
reflected surface
NOISE
The sound of song birds, children, stage performance, and the like can be so
pleasant that site furniture may be focused toward.
Undesirable sound can be blocked. Sound barrier walls , earth mounds, and
other techniques of noise control should be considered.

OPERATIONAL FACTORS
HUMAN BODY DIMENSIONS AND MOVEMENT
Characteristics of the human body are essential determinants for the design of all types of site
furniture
REGULATORY STANDARDS
Site furniture must also stand upto a host of regulatory standards imposed by municipal state and
federal govt.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
These objectives and needs are matched with a range of alternatives such as weather to
select the elements from the existing readymade source, make modification to such as
manufactured designs or develop a new design .