1. RUPH121 Environmental
Design

2. The planning process and environmental design
• The planning process
• Rational comprehensive cycle
• Environmental design
• Following planning process in shaping our built environment

3. Built environment
• constructed places,
features, and elements that
together make our cities,
villages, and towns
• varies from large-scale
urban areas to rural
development and personal
space
• includes indoor and outdoor
places

4. Environmental
design
principles
1. Consider places before buildings
2. Have humility to learn from the past and respect your
context
3. Encourage the mixing of uses in towns and cities
4. Design on human scale
5. Encourage the freedom to walk about
6. Cater for all sections of the community and consult
with them;
7. Build legible (recognisable or understandable)
environments
8. Build to last and adapt
9. Avoid change too great a scale at the same time
10. With all the means available, promote intricacy, joy
and visual delight in the built environment

5. Dimensions of environmental Design
Morphological
dimension- layout
and configuration of
urban space-
:Conzen’s4mphologi
calelements
Land uses
Building structures
Plot pattern
Cadastral street pattern
Perceptual
dimension- involves
gathering,
organising and
making sense of
information about
the environment. 2
processes: “sensory
and perception”.
Sensory uses for senses of
smell
•Vision
•Hearing,
•Smell and
•Touch
Perception senses
•Cognitive
•Affective
•Interpretive
•Evaluative
Social dimension-
two-way process
between space and
society.
Five key aspects of social
dimension.
•People and space
•Public realm and public
life
•Neighbourhoods
•Safety and security
•accessibility
Visual dimension
Aesthetic preferences
Patterns and aesthetic
order
Urban architecture
Hard and soft landscaping
Functional
dimension – how
place works and
how urban
designers can make
better places.
Use of public space
Mixed use and density
considerations
Environmental design
Capital web
Temporal
dimension- time
and space are
strongly related
Time cycles
Time management of
public spaces
The management of
change

6. Aspects of
development
form
• Nassar 2015

7. 2. The Environmental Design process
• Analysis
• Synthesis
• Evaluation
• implementation

8. Analysis
• This examines the relationship of activities among the various land uses and how
they relate to circulation systems.
• This relates closely with the work of land use planners, the difference being that
the urban designer carries out such a study into three dimensions.
• For instance, increase in building heights will call for widening of streets to
accommodate both motorized and pedestrian traffic.

9. Synthesis
• Data collected and the analysis of the problem are translated into
design proposals for action
• Design concepts that reflect an understanding of the constraints of
the problem and propose optimum solutions, based on tradeoffs such
as between motor traffic and pedestrians
• Main activities include:
Evolution of concepts for development
Development of schematic design
Preliminary Designs

10. Evaluation
• Based on two main criteria:
- How well the solutions fit the problem
- How readily the proposals can be implemented.
Thus, evaluation may examine:
ability to meet objectives
ability to gain public acceptance
meeting financial and technical demands

11. Implementation
• Devising the actual strategies for financing and construction.
• Implementation relies on two main tools:
- Land use controls: include the traditional/Euclidean zoning
ordinance, Planned Unit Development, Incentive/Bonus
zoning, and Transfer of Development Rights
- Capital expenditures: these shape the pattern of land use by
altering land values through the provision of access and
utilities.
• In this age of participation, successful implementation of
urban design projects will rely on both capital expenditures
and eminent domain (popularity).

12. 3. Site analysis and
planning
• Conceptual Plan
• A preliminary design
• Time to explore, evaluate, and
compare

13. Detailed plan
• A site plan is a landscape
architectural plan, and a
detailed engineering
drawing of proposed
improvements to a given
lot. A site plan usually
shows a building
footprint, travelways,
parking, drainage
facilities, sanitary sewer
lines, water lines, trails,
lighting, and landscaping
and garden elements.

14. 3. Site analysis and planning
The purposes of site planning are (Russ, 2002):
•To gather data for preliminary planning
obtain the primary and secondary data
to identify the potential, constraints and the propose design are suitable to the study area
•To evaluate the site for compatibility and the proposed project are use
Identify what types of development are suitable for study area?
Market studies – demand of land development i.e housing, commercial
Topography (slope analysis), environment and surrounding area
•To recognize concerns requiring additional study
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) and Social Impact Assessment (SIA) study if
necessary to the study area
•To form an understanding of the administrative requirements of the project such as building permits and approvals
Documentation by Local Authorities i.e Planning Permissions (Sec. 21) Act 172, Town And Country Planning 1976
Local Plan and Structure Plan, Policies etc.
Planning Guidelines for land developments
Data collection
•Data collected in a variety of ways
•Two types of data are important in site planning and land development:
•Secondary Data
From existing/published data i.e books, journal, technical reports and plans
•Primary data
Require a broad of knowledge and appreciation for environmental and cultural system
Decision to develop or restore a site require and understanding of the site as well as the surrounding area

15. Site
planning
and design
process

16. 4. Design in the built environment
• Design concepts –
• Garden city,
• City Beautiful,
• Neighborhood and
• Radburn Concept

17. Development facilitation and control
techniques
• Planning standards.
• Planning standards are requirements approved by laws to guide physical
development in a particular area at a particular time.
• Zoning (building use groups and use zones).
• local zoning ordinance prescribes what may be done in each zone and what
may not be done. Preserves values of the buildings, encouraging most
appropriate use/compatible uses
• Design guides and regulations.

18. 
• These standards are applied during the planning / design stag
a project / preparation of layout.
 Normally in the form of codes or regulations
pertaining to space requirement, site specification,
height, land use, and other criteria required by the
Local Authority for development of land or property.
Planning Standards

19. PLANNING STANDARD
• minimum standard required to achieve benefit for public
BASIC PRINCIPLE
1. RESIDENTIAL
•Good ventilation – health and comfort
•Lot sizes – safety and comfort
2. PARKING LOT
•
•
adequate allocation
Appropriate lot size
3.PUBLIC FACILTIES
•Catchment area
•Ensure facilities are provided for the public
•Equal distribution
4. ROADS
•- hierarchy are followed
•According to the type of devt
•Ensure Efficient transportation system
Development
Control :
Planning
Standard

20. PLANNING STANDARD
• minimum standard required to achieve benefit for public
• in Malaysia, it is prepared by Town and Country Planning dept.
5. INFRASTRUCTURE
• Adequate provision
• Sewerage treatment, electricity, water supply
• Provision depends on forecast of population
6. RECREATIONAL AREA
• adequate provision of recreational areas
• Accessible to all level of society
• Equal distribution
• Type of recreational area – depend on hierarchy and
catchment area
-
Development
Control :
Planning
Standard

21. Main purpose of planning standards:
i. Ensure comforminity of development.
i. As a development control mechanism so that the
physical development of an area will comply to
the needs and requirement of the population of
the area effectively.
iii. Ensure safety, health, comfort and interest of
pulic in terms of the quality of environment is
orderly, harmonious and well protected.

22. i. Ensure that the physical facilities and infrastructure such
as schools, religious facilities, recreational facilities,
water supply, electricity, telephone lines and sewerage
systems are developed accordingly.
v. Ensure physical development is not polluted and the
natural environment can be protected, hence ensuring
good air, water and other environmental qualities.
Planning Standard
5

23. i. Ensure that the physical facilities and infrastructure such
as schools, religious facilities, recreational facilities,
water supply, electricity, telephone lines and sewerage
systems are developed accordingly.
v. Ensure physical development is not polluted and the
natural environment can be protected, hence ensuring
good air, water and other environmental qualities.
Planning Standard
5

24. •Planning Standards: -
•In a general usage, “standard” is regarded as measure for qualities or for the
required degree of excellence.
•Therefore, physical planning standards are formulated standards by planning
agencies used in the regulation of use and control of land.
•Physical planning standards can be broadly classified into locational standards, and
space standards (Olujimi, 2008).
•Locational standards are guidelines for the placement of uses or facilities on land.
•They are presented in form of appropriate or ideal positioning of uses on land in the basic interaction needs
of the users.
•In the formulation of locational standards, consideration are given to safety from danger, nearness or
remoteness of one use from another in time and distance; compatibility and the social implications of the uses
to the residents of the community, land values and site development cost etc.
•Examples of locational standards are
•(i) location of primary school within a walking distance of 10 minutes to every home which the school is
supposed to serve; or distance between 1.6 and 2.5km;
•(ii) The location of residential building on site not over 35 percent gradient;
•(iii) Location of 2 petrol filling station on the same side of a road at a distance not less than 1 km apart etc.

25. Facilities Site Area (hectares)
Nursery School 0.8 – 1.6
Nursery-Pry School 1.6 – 3.2
Shopping Centre
Neighbourhood Market.
1.6 - 4
Neighbourhood Park 0.8 – 2.4
Health Centre 0.4 – 0.6
Place of Worship 0.3 – 0.4
Commercial Bank 0.3 – 0.4
Petrol Filling Station 0.3 – 0.4
•Planning Standards: -
• Space standards are sets of planning standards that indicate the amount (or the extent) of space
required to accommodate certain facility, infrastructure or use. Space standards are presented in unit of
areas or estimated in form of persons per unit area.
• This is usually indicated in form of “Minimum or Desirable standards.
• Developers are not to go below the minimum standards while the desirable standards are the upper
limit.
• Space standards help to achieve proper use of land by preventing overcrowding and under-utilization as
well as ensuring efficient functioning of various uses, facilities and services. In fulfillment of this
intension, Building and Sub-Division regulations are also inclusive.
• A typical example is the site area for a primary school, which is between 1.2 and 2.5 hectares of land;
and a University is at least 100 hectares of land.
• This is to allow for the provision of essential components and services that would make teaching and
learning at that level conducive (see Table 1 for space standards for selected neighbourhood facilities).
Table 1: Space Standards for Selected Neighbourhood Facilities
Source: Adapted from Obateru (2003) p13.

26. 1
WHAT ISZONING
AND LANDUSE?
A GUIDE TO THE CITY OFPITTSBURGH

27. 3

28. 4
What is zoning?
Zoning addresses where—or in what zone—you can or cannot
build. Zoning keeps buildings of similar use and occupation in the
same zone, while separating buildings of different uses. Zoning
looks at issues such as land use, public health and overcrowd-
ing and tries to determine how we can make improvements. It is
important to note that zoning doesn’t actually build anything. It
clarifies the limits and guides what can be built in a zone.
Who Does ZoningImpact?
Zoning affects everyone; business owners, contractors,
and residents are all impacted by zoning standards in
different ways.
How are BusinessesAffected?
Business owners must be aware of the city’s zoning laws so
that they can determine how large their business can grow,
and how profitable it may be.
How are ResidentsAffected?
Zoning defines whether an area is purely residential or
mixed. It also regulates home renovations and extensions
of property.
How are CommunitiesAffected?
Proper zoning allows communities to effectively preserve
their neighborhood’s assets and maintain their unique
identities.
How are ContractorsAffected?
Contractors must abide by the Pittsburgh’s zoning laws
when constructing new buildings in the city. Zoning laws
dictate how tall a building can be in a certain area, how
much land it can cover and what its use will be.
Zoning seperates land into parcels. Groups of
parcels make up a zone.
1

29. 5
Zoning can empower communities to take control of their environment
to create changes that benefit everyone (i.e. promote business, edu-
cation, creation of parks, etc.…).
Zoning is beneficial to communities who wish to see history and
identity preserved while encouraging development.
The Power of Zoning
Proper zoning prevents urban and suburban overcrowding, protects
public health and promotes increased quality of neighborhoods.
Rezoning allows for repurposing of land and creates opportunities for
upsizing and downsizing.
!
!
!
!
Zoning Ordinances define zones in two
ways: land use--or zone activities--and by size and shape of buildings and
other developments. The three major activities and uses that define zones are:
residential, commerical and industrial.
Zoning Codesregulate land use, size, shape and
permitted activities. Zoning code seeks to protect neighborhood identity and
quality while promoting a mix of uses and address population densities.
What is Zoningfor?

30. 6
2
1
Residential activities are specific to resi-
dents of a neighborhood. They include community
activities like schooling, libraries and places of wor-
ship.
There are 3 major categories that
define land use within a zone:
Residential
Commercial
http://tinyurl.com/hjtpwaf
Industrial
http://tinyurl.com/hasqxp9
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadyside_(Pittsburgh)
Commercial activities account for retail,
business and other service uses that are typically
paid for. This covers services like grocery stores,
malls, restaurants, service stations, hotels, hospitals
and many others.
Industrial uses are activities that create
noise, pollution, traffic and other byproducts unsuit-
able for residential and commercial uses.
3

31. 9
Lots & Parcels
Pa
r
Lot 1
el 1
Lot2 Lot 3
Parc
e
Lot 4
l 2
Lot 5 Lot 6
The Building Blocks ofZoning
While the terms lot and parcel are often used
interchangably, they actually have two distinct
meanings in the context of zoning.
In simplest terms...
A lot is a single piece of land that is owned by
someone or some group. The size of the lot
determines the scale of development that can
occur within it.
A parcel is an area that can contain several
lots, grouped together into one taxable zone.
c
Taxed Together Taxed Together
Rezoning
Lot Consolidations andSubdivisions
sometimes property owners are required to
change the size of their lot in order to comply
with zoning regulations.
A consolidation is when more than one lotis
joined together legally to create a new single
lot.
A subdivision is when a lot is legally separat-
ed into more than one lot.
Here are some examples of why one may be
required to consolidate:
For tax reasons, so that a property owner receives
only one bill.
Toconform to the international building code,
which does not allow construction across a lot line.
For zoning requirements, to keep accessory
structures such as a garage on the same lot as
the primary structure.
source: http://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/Lot_Consolidation_and_Subdivision_FAQ.pdf

32. 10
Rezoning
Zoning Changes
Land owners are able to apply for changes in
zoning if they feel that their land isn’t zoned to
suit their needs.
In the city of Pittsburgh, land owners must
submit a zoning change petition to the Plan-
ning Commission for review. It is then up to
City Council to approve or deny the change
after receiving a reccomendation from the
Planning Commission.
Source:http://pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/zoning/zoning-process
Rezoning
Variances
Variances may be granted to projects that
do not comply with Zoning Code standards.
Specific to the zoning district in which the proj-
ect is located, variances may be given to proj-
ects that deviate from permitted uses, floor-ar-
ea-ratios and building heights without causing
negative impact on the surrounding context.
Zoning Division approval is needed for all exte-
rior construction ranging from residential decks
and parking pads to new building construction.
Zoning approval is needed for most interior
work too.

33. 11
Zoning Districts
Zoning districts are different zones with similar uses
that guide which types of buildings and developments
that can go in different areas. Pittsburgh has seven
base zoning districts:
Residential Districts
Mixed-use Districts
Special PurposeDistricts
Overlay Districts
Downtown Districts
Public Realm Districts
Specially Planned Districts
Residential Districts are zones
that designate land use and land activity solely
around residential purposes.
• There are five types of Residential Zones within
the City of Pittsburgh:
• Single-Unit Detached
Residential (R1D)
• Single-Unit Attached
Residential (R1A)
•Two-Unit Residential (R2)
Three-Unit Residential (R3)
Multi-Use Residential (RM)

34. 12
Multi-Unit
Residential
(RM)
A zoning lot inwhich
a dwelling unit oc-
cupies four or more
families within a
single building
Three-Unit
Residential
(R3)
A zoning lot inwhich
a dwelling unit oc-
cupies three fami-
lies within a single
building
Two-Unit
Residential
(R2)
A zoning lot in
which a dwelling
unit occupies two
families within a
single building
Single-Unit
Attached
Residential
(R1A)
A zoning lot in which
a single unit—a unit
on its own lot—is
attached to one or
more dwelling units
that occupy theirown
lot
Single-Unit
DetachedResidential
(R1D)
A zoning lot in which single,
non-attached housing units
are able to be constructed

35. 13
Mixed-Use Districtshave capacities for
residential, commercial and manufacturing land uses
with limitations on each one.
There are seven types of Mixed-UseZones
within the City of Pittsburgh:
Neighborhood Office District
(NDO)
Local Neighborhood Commercial
District (LNC)
Neighborhood Industrial
District (NDI)
Urban Neighborhood Commercial
District (UNC)
Highway Commercial District (HC)
General Industrial District (GI)
Urban Industrial District (UI)
Neighborhood
Office District
(NDO)
Districts that are primarily residential
in use that provide development
opportunities for small office uses
MARKET
Local
Neighborhood
Commercial
District (LNC)
Districts that are residential and
have neighborhood-serving com-
mercial uses
Neighborhood
Industrial District (NDI)
MARKET
Districts with a broad range
of industrial uses that also
accommodate office, com-
mercial and residential uses

36. 14
Urban Neighborhood
Commercial District
(UNC)
BANK
Districts with commercial uses
broader than the immediate
neighborhood or the neighbor-
hoods adjacent
Highway Commercial District (HC)
Districts that accommodate auto-oriented commercial activities and
other commercial uses that tend to be incompatible within close
proximity to smaller residential areas
General Industrial
District (GI)
Districts that accommodate
industrial, manufacturing and
warehouse uses with limited
commercial developments that
support those uses
Urban Industrial District (UI)
Districts that allow mid-sized to large industries while accommodat-
ing for adaptive reuses on manufacturing buildings for commercial
and residential uses
G
A
S
O
L
I
N
E

37. 15
Special Purpose Districtsare
intended to provide a flexible framework for alter-
native forms of development on very large sites of
City-wide importance.
There are three types of SpecialPurpose
Zones within the City of Pittsburgh:
Educational/Medical
Institution (EMI)
Districts that accommodate
educational and medical insti-
tutional uses in an urban area
Park (P)
Districts that accommodate passive
and active recreational uses for pub-
lic and private park areas
Hillside (H)
Areas not suitable for intensive
development due to environmental or
accessibility difficulties
Overlay Districts include zoning
regulations which special safety provisions
and other protections are added to an al-
ready existing zone. This is to prevent public
safety hazards such as land subsidence and
flooding.
There are nine types of Overlay Districts withinthe
City of Pittsburgh:
The Floodplain Overlay District (FP-O)
reduces the probability of property damages and hazards to life
that can be caused by flooding; consistent with the Pennsylvania
Floodplain Management Act and the National Flood Insurance
Program.

38. The Riverfront Overlay District (RF-O)
maintains open spaces that allow public access along the river and
regulates the permitted uses along the riverfront.
The Undermine area Overlay District
(UA-O) reduces the risk of damage to property and hazards to
life that may be caused by collapses in land surfaces over under-
ground mines.
The Landslide-Prone Overlay District
(LS-O) reduces the risk of damage or hazards to life that may
occur from land sliding or movement as a result of construction and
land operations.
The View Protection Overlay District
(VP-O) limits developments that would obstruct scenic views
that would hinder quality of life, property values and other sustain-
able economic developments.
The Steep Slope Overlay District (SS-O)
assures that steep slope sites are adequate for development to
maintain the character of slopes in Pittsburgh.
The Stormwater Management Overlay
District (SM-O) manages storm water runoff from land
alterations and prevent development activity that would increase
storm water that may cause risk of damages to property or hazards
to life while promoting natural drainage systems; consistent with
the Pennsylvania Storm water ManagementAct.
16
The Advertising sign Overlay District
(AS-O) regulates where advertising signs are allowed in the
city.
The Interim Planning Overlay District
(IPOD) places regulations that define areas in which the
zoning criteria are found to be deficient and provide a pathway for
interim zoning for development.

39. 17
Downtown Districts were specifi- cally
designed to preserve the identity of downtown
Pittsburgh’s geography like Golden Triangle and
Riverfront.
There are two types of Downtown Districtswithin
the City of Pittsburgh:
The Golden Triangle District supports de-
velopments in commercial, office, residential and
cultural uses while preserving the Golden Triangle’s
regional significance.
The Downtown Riverfront District accom-
modates industrial, residential, and limited industrial
uses on the riverfront while allowing public access.
Public Realm Districts contain
areas, pathways and places in which have distinc-
tive characteristics that are city-wide or regionally
important to the public while maintaining its identity.
Grandview Avenue & Oakland are thetwo
Public Realm Districts in the city.

40. 18
Planning Development
Districts are large sites (usually brownfields)
that intend to create and provide a framework for
alternative forms of development. Regulations and
procedures allow for attractive urban areas and
meet public goals such as preservation of natural
environments that have citywide impacts.
There are currently eleven planning development
districts in the city:
Pittsburgh Technology Center (SP-1)
Washington’s Landing (SP-2)
Public Safety Complex (SP-3)
Station Square (SP-4)
South Side Works (SP-5)
Pallisades Park (SP-6)
Oakland Planned Unit Development District (SP-
7)
Riverfront Landing (SP-8)
Bakery Square (SP-9)
ALMONO (SP-10)
Lower Hill (SP-11)
TheALMONO site is a great example of a devel-
opment district that is in the early stages of attract-
ing investment. The project is aimed at designing
an environmentally sustainable riverfront district in
Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood.
RIDC Pittsburgh

41. 19
How Zoning Limits
Building Size & Shape
Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is the main way
zoning laws limit the size and the shape of buildings
and other development. FAR is the total amount of
floor area of all buildings on a lot divided by the total
area of the lot.
Total FloorArea
LotArea
Floor Area
Ratio (FAR)
=
Each zoning district and classification has a
maximum FAR that creates cohesive com-
munities and districts. It also keeps sufficient
spacing between buildings.
A business owner wants to construct a
one-story storefront that covers 2,000 square
feet on the 2,500 sq. ft lot.
Calculating FAR
Let’s start with an empty lot.
Lot Size: 50 ft x 50 ft
Lot Area: 2,500 sq. ft
2,000 sfstore
2,500 sflot
= 0.8

42. 20
Imagine that the city decides to increase the
original lot’s maximum FAR from 1.0 to 2.0.
This means you can now build another floor!
The building now has double the amount of
square footage on the same lot.
4,000 sfstore
2,500 sflot
= 1.6
Lets look at a building that takes up two of these
lots. The height of the building is the same, but it is
double the size of the previous storefront.
4,000 sfstore
5,000 sflot
= 0.8
Even though we doubled the building size, we also
doubled the size of the lot, so the FAR remains the
same.

43. 22
Rezoning
Zoning Changes
Land owners are able to apply for changes of zon-
ing if they feel that their land isn’t zoned to suit their
needs.
In the city of Pittsburgh, land owners must submit a
zoning change petition to the PlanningCom-
mission for review. It is then up to City Council to
approve or deny the change after receiving a rec-
comendation from the Planning Commission.
rounding context.
Source:http://pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/zoning/zoning-process
Rezoning Variances
Variances may be granted to projects that do not
comply with Zoning Code standards. Specific to
the zoning district in which the project is located,
variances may be given to projects that deviate
from permitted uses, floor-area-ratios, and building
heights without causing negative impact on the sur-
Zoning Division approval is needed for all exterior
construction ranging from residential decks and
parking pads to new building construction. Zoning
approval is needed for most interior work, too.

44. Overlay District - include zoning regulations which special
safety provisions and other protections are added to an already ex-
isting zone. This is to prevent public safety hazards such as land
subsidence and flooding.
Permitted Uses - uses for which no variance or permit is
required
Public Realm Districts - areas that contain pathways and
places in which have distinctive characteristics that are city-wide or
regionally important to the public while maintaining its identity.
Residential - areas that include housing and community amen-
ities such as schools, libraries, and places of worship.
Rezoning - Assigning areas to a different zone.
Special Exceptions - permissions granted to land owners
that allow them to use their property in ways that differ from what is
stated in the zoning code.
Specially Planned District - SP District regulations are in-
tended to provide a framework for alternative forms of development
for very large sites
Variances - variations from the regulations set in the zoning
code. One must submit an application and have it approved in order
to recieve a variance.
Zoning - Zoning keep buildings of similar use and occupation in
the same zone, while separating buildings of different uses.
23
Glossary
• Accessory - any structure that serves a secondary purpose on a lot.
• Commercial - land use activities that include retail, business and other
service uses that are typically paid for. This covers servic- es like grocery stores,
malls, restaurants, service stations, hotels, hospitals and many others.
• Conditional Uses - an exception that grants the land owner to use his
land in ways that would not be permitted otherwise.
• Floor Area Ratio (FAR) - the main way zoning laws limit the size
and the shape of buildings and other development. FAR is the total amount of
floor area of all buildings on a lot divided by the total area of the lot.
•District - an area with established boundaries that contains structures
of similar size, shape, or use.
• Industrial - an area that supports manufacturing, warehouses, and
similar uses which are incompatible with lower intensity land uses.