# Study Notes: Landscape Architecture and Urban Design Principles --- ## Agreements with Authorities and Compliance with Regulations ### Key Considerations - **Coordination with Authorities**: Includes consultations with entities like conservation officers for historical sites. - **Compliance with Standards**: - Adherence to building codes. - Ensuring safety regulations are met. - Following environmental protection guidelines. --- ## Execution and Supervision of Projects ### Work Schedule - **Precise Planning**: Break down the project into clear, manageable stages. ### Author Supervision - **Project Alignment**: Ensure the execution aligns with the approved design. ### Final Acceptance - **Evaluation**: Assess the final outcome, including: - Plant installations. - Functionality of infrastructure. --- ## Principles for Selecting Plants in Home Gardens ### 1. **Site Analysis** - **Soil Type**: Identify whether the soil is sandy, clayey, fertile, acidic, or alkaline. Choose plants suited to the soil type. - **Sunlight**: Consider light availability: - Sunny, semi-shaded, or shaded areas. - **Moisture**: Note dry or wet zones, such as depressions. - **Local Climate**: Select frost- and wind-resistant species suitable for the climate zone. For sandy soil in a sunny area, lavender is an excellent choice due to its drought tolerance. ### 2. **Plant Functions** - **Decorative**: Plants with ornamental leaves, flowers, or fruits (e.g., hydrangeas, roses). - **Functional**: Hedges (e.g., thuja, privet), shade plants, windbreaks, or noise barriers. - **Edible**: Fruit trees (e.g., apple trees, blueberries), herbs, and vegetables. ### 3. **Garden Style** - **Harmony with Architecture**: Match plants to the garden's style (modern, rural, naturalistic, or formal). - **Focal Points**: Use dominant species to define the garden's character (e.g., magnolia, bonsai pine). ### 4. **Composition Rules** - **Layering**: Arrange plants in tiers: - Trees in the background. - Shrubs in the middle. - Perennials and grasses in the foreground. - **Color Scheme**: Plan for year-round blooms and balance harmonious or contrasting colors. - **Limited Variety**: Avoid chaos by using a small number of species repeated throughout the garden. Group plants with similar care needs together to simplify maintenance. ### 5. **Maintenance Considerations** - **Ease of Care**: Opt for disease-resistant, low-maintenance plants for a low-effort garden. - **Growth Rate**: Fast-growing species (e.g., willows) fill space quickly but require more upkeep. - **Seasonality**: Combine evergreen plants (e.g., yews) with deciduous species for seasonal interest. ### 6. **Native and Eco-Friendly Plants** - **Native Species**: Better adapted to local conditions and more resistant to pests. - **Biodiversity**: Include pollinator-friendly plants (e.g., lavender, echinacea). ### 7. **Safety** - **Avoid Toxic Plants**: Especially if children or pets are present (e.g., avoid yew, spurge). - **Avoid Invasive Species**: Prevent dominance by aggressive plants like knotweed or Canadian goldenrod. ### 8. **Budget and Availability** - **Cost**: Choose plants available locally to reduce expenses. - **Size**: Young plants are cheaper but take longer to mature. A well-planned garden balances aesthetics, functionality, and ease of maintenance while considering site conditions and user needs. --- ## Parking Design Principles ### Dimensions - **Standard Car Spaces**: - Length: 5 m. - Width: 2.5 m. - **Parallel Parking**: - Length: 6 m. - Width: 3.6 m (can be reduced to 2.5 m for shared pedestrian access). - **Accessible Parking**: - Minimum width: 3.6 m. - Minimum length: 5 m. ### Special Considerations - **Heavy Vehicles**: - Trucks: 8 m x 3.5 m (15 m x 3 m for parallel parking). - Buses: 10 m x 4 m (19 m x 3 m for parallel parking). - **Surface Requirements**: - Must be paved or stabilized with a slope for water drainage. ### Accessibility - **Spaces for Disabled Users**: - 1 space for 6–15 total spaces. - 2 spaces for 16–40 total spaces. - 4% of spaces for lots with over 100 spaces. ### Maneuvering and Flow - **Driveway Width**: Minimum 5.5 m for smooth vehicle movement. - **Traffic Flow**: Design parking layouts to minimize complex maneuvers. Failing to account for adequate maneuvering space can lead to traffic congestion within parking lots. --- ## Recreational Area Design ### Types of Recreational Spaces 1. **Green Spaces**: Parks, playgrounds, and urban squares. 2. **Sports Facilities**: Stadiums, courts, and swimming pools. 3. **Cultural Sites**: Historical ruins, botanical gardens, and zoos. 4. **Entertainment Areas**: Amusement parks and outdoor theaters. ### Design Goals - **Functionality**: Integrate existing and new elements for seamless use. - **Aesthetics**: Use diverse plantings and materials to enhance visual appeal. - **Sustainability**: Incorporate water retention areas and eco-friendly materials. Plan for diverse user groups by including accessible paths, seating, and shaded areas. --- ## Bicycle Path Design ### Dimensions - **One-Way Path**: Minimum width of 1.5 m. - **Two-Way Path**: Minimum width of 2.0 m. - **Shared Path (with pedestrians)**: Minimum width of 2.5 m. ### Key Features - **Gradient**: Longitudinal slope ≤ 5% (up to 15% in exceptional cases). - **Surface**: Smooth, durable materials like asphalt or non-faceted paving stones. - **Drainage**: Cross slope of 1–3% for water runoff. ### Safety - **Collision Points**: Minimize intersections with vehicle and pedestrian traffic. - **Lighting**: Ensure visibility at crossings and entrances. - **Markings**: Use distinct colors and signage to differentiate paths. A well-designed bike path prioritizes safety, comfort, and connectivity to other transport systems. --- ## Urban Green Spaces ### Forms of Urban Greenery 1. **Parks and Gardens**: Designed for recreation and aesthetics. 2. **Street Greenery**: Trees and hedges along roads for isolation and air quality improvement. 3. **Cemeteries**: Often integrated with natural landscapes. 4. **Vertical Greenery**: Climbing plants for walls, improving insulation and air quality. ### Functions - **Health**: Reduces air pollution and noise, improves microclimate. - **Social**: Provides spaces for relaxation, sports, and education. - **Aesthetic**: Enhances urban landscapes with seasonal color changes. A vertical garden on a city building can reduce energy costs by insulating the structure while improving air quality. --- ## Methods for Assessing User Needs ### Techniques 1. **Surveys**: Paper-based (PAPI) or online (CAWI) questionnaires. 2. **Walkthroughs**: On-site evaluations with users. 3. **Workshops**: Collaborative sessions like "Future City Game" or "Planning for Real." Engaging users in the design process ensures the space meets their needs and fosters community ownership. --- ## Water Feature Construction and Maintenance ### Steps 1. **Location**: Choose sunny areas away from tree roots. 2. **Design**: Include shallow and deep zones for biodiversity. 3. **Sealing**: Use PVC liners or natural clay with protective layers. 4. **Filtration**: Install pumps and aerators to maintain water quality. ### Maintenance - **Debris Removal**: Regularly clear leaves and organic matter. - **Water Quality**: Monitor pH (6.5–8.0) and oxygen levels. - **Winter Prep**: Use aerators or ice preventers to avoid freezing. Neglecting filtration systems can lead to algae overgrowth and poor water quality. --- These notes provide a comprehensive overview of key principles in landscape architecture and urban design, ensuring clarity and practical application.