Chapter 2
Site Planning and Design Process
2-1. General.
The site planning and design process applies a man-made, or constructed, system upon a natural, or ecological, system. Site planning procedures, or courses of action, recognize the opportunities and constraints presented by both. Each site is unique, and the functions on each site present different problems and opportunities. Site design procedures develop specific methods to create the optimal relationship between facilities and site. The relationship among facilities, the site and its surroundings helps determine the installation’s environmental and design quality.
2-2. Goals and Objectives.
The goals of site planning and design are to contribute to the overall functional efficiency, conservation of resources, economic stability and quality of life of the installation. Objectives in support of these goals for individual projects are to:
a. Ensure the project accomplishes its basic function with maximum efficiency and economy.
b. Ensure a safe environment.
c. Provide proper relationships with surrounding facilities.
d. Allow for expansion.
e. Contribute to overall project cost effectiveness.
f. Create designs which contribute to the quality of life of soldiers and civilian personnel.
g. Provide energy-efficient design solutions.
h. Provide environmentally sensitive and visually pleasing design.
i. Take full advantage of natural site amenities.
2-3. Relationship to the Installation Master Plan and the Installation Design Guide.
In the military system, planning and designing individual sites are part of a larger process affecting development of the installation as a whole. Site planning and design impact and are impacted by all phases of land development including the following:
a. Installation Master Plan. The installation master plan provides comprehensive documentation of the existing conditions of natural, manmade and human resources. It also guides future land-use development. The information found in the master plan forms the foundation for site planning. The master plan is a mechanism for ensuring that individual projects are sited to meet overall installation requirements. Army Regulation (AR) 210-20 and Technical Manual (TM) 5-803-1 provide additional information concerning the master plan.
b. Department of Defense (DD) Form 1391 (FYMilitary Construction Project Data) and the TM 5-800-3, Project Development Brochure (PDB). Site selection is accomplished in the master plan procedures. DD Form 1391 and the PDB provide documentation of site selection. Preparation of these documents is the initial step in site planning. The decisions made in the documents are not easily changed. It is important to acquire as much information as possible on which to base these decisions. It is also important to consider as broadly as possible the potential needs of the user relative to the site. AR 415-15 provides additional information concerning Military Construction, Army program development.
c. Installation Design Guide. The installation design guide provides guidelines for creating a visually consistent, harmonious and attractive installation. TM 5-803-5 provides further information on the design guide. The design guide recommends development of a pleasant and efficient physical environment for the site by:
(1) Defining natural site assets.
(2) Harmonizing the natural and built environments.
(3) Providing an efficient organization of function to land use and to vehicular circulation.
(4) Defining a consistent architectural character.
(5) Providing a visual theme for the site components.
d. Installation Contacts. Because development of individual sites affect and are affected by other areas of the installation, it is important to consult with various personnel who may contribute information and expertise. Valuable contacts may include users of surrounding facilities, traffic and transportation personnel, and security personnel.
2-4. Site Planning and Design Process.
Site planning and design comprise a two-staged process. Site planning proposes a program of activity, evaluates a site, and organizes the program on the site. Site design details the program on the site, eventually resulting in final construction documents. Chapter 3 describes the procedures for site planning; chapter 5 describes the procedures
for site design. Planning and design are conceived as a continuous and increasingly refined process. Site planning forms the basis for site design. Therefore, site planning should produce sufficiently thorough documentation to support site design efforts. Changes in program, site, economic conditions and personnel can all interrupt the flow and delay the timing of the process. It is important to understand the process as a whole in order to accommodate successfully the individual dynamics of a project as it progresses.
a. The Process in the Military System. The site planning and design process ideally provides for sequential and increasingly refined decision making. However, as a military project progresses from the master plan to construction approval, decision-making is segmented among different locations and personnel. There may be significant
time lag between the planning and design stages. DD Forms 1391 and PDB’s are often deficient in their treatment of site concerns. They become the source of budget and design problems. At the crucial point where program and site analyses are synthesized into a concept, there may be confusion as to who should do this. Planners may view concept development as an unnecessary design exercise when accurate site data (especially, the topographic survey) is not complete or available. Subsequently, designers may view basic conceptualization as a planning function which already should have occurred. Some concept development should take place on both sides of the funding process. Involving a variety of disciplines as early as possible facilitates both planning and design. It improves in-house communication. The multidisciplinary approach helps avoid problems which arise from an incomplete understanding of the program and the site.
b. Process Chart. The problems described above may be expected when the two-staged process transitions from planning to design. Figure 2-1 diagrams a flow of planning and design tasks necessary to take a site plan from preliminary planning through 35 percent design. It also lists the subjects addressed by the tasks. The tasks are program analysis; site analysis; and concept development. Concept development includes spatial diagrams, sketch site plans, and concept site plans. The diagram indicates at the bottom of each task the resulting products. While the flow may appear idealized in the military context, the diagram represents the tasks which must be accomplished to achieve a well-planned and designed project. Understanding the tasks helps prevent omission of critical information and neglect of critical questions during site planning. It helps evaluate the quality and thoroughness of previously accomplished work. It helps align with past work and direct future efforts during site design.