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Part I
EXISTING CONDITIONS
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Chapter 1
Site Survey
- Site Inventory and Observations
- Photographic Information
Site Inventory and Observations
Description
A site inventory and observations are integral to the design process. Some of the things they provide are:
- Document and evaluate the condition of existing context and site features as part of the development of a base plan.
- Provide a basis for the development of the site's opportunities and constraints.
- Observe and document any social or cultural factors that should be considered during the design development phase.
- Provide up-to-date site information in order to prepare accurate contract documents.
Assessing Site Conditions
In order to accurately assess existing site conditions, several visits to the site may be necessary throughout the various phases of the project, often with a different focus, depending on what phase the project is currently in. Site visits at various times of the day, days of the week and seasons of the year, and in varying weather conditions, may be required to gain a comprehensive picture of how the site may be used. Take plenty of field notes and document existing conditions with photos (see Photographic Information topic).
Some observations of user behavior and analysis can help to understand a site. An observation should indicate adjacent buildings, their use, entries and views into and from the project area.
Observing a space for visible clues as to what users do—and don't do—which can be done even when no one is present. Clues such as:
- Cigarette butts around a bench;
- A short-cut path worn across a lawn;
- Raised gardening beds full of weeds.
All tell a story. The location of these clues should be included on a site plan.
A systematic observation and recording of actual use should be scheduled at different hours of the day and different days of the week. Times and days might be determined in consultation with staff (at a staffed facility), or by casual observation at a more public facility, to ensure the major use periods are being covered. For each observation period, record all that is happening, as follows:
- Locate on a site plan the exact location of each user
- Number each of the located users
- Record against numbers in a field notebook the age, gender, and activity of each user
- Add arrows to indicate movement. Circle designated users to indicate people in a group
It is important to use a new copy of the site plan for each visit, as these activity maps will be used like stop frames in a movie. When all the observations are completed, the data can be aggregated onto one comprehensive site plan (typical pattern of use), aggregated by different variables (e.g., dot map of male/female use, adult/child use), displayed as bar graphs (e.g., of different activities, overall use by adults/teens/children), or displayed as a line graph (e.g., use throughout day). All the data recorded by this method is quantitative and is much more accurate than asking people.
However, this form of observation provides no information as to what people feel—why they come to this place. Interviews with users are essential to learn why they come to the space, how often they come, what they like, what they'd like to change, whether they feel different after being there (if yes, what it is about the place that helps them feel different). There are two basic ways of wording questions in an interview: multiple choice or open-ended. It is good to use both types.
- An example of a multiple-choice question is: “Do you come here more than once a day/once a day/once every few days/about once a week/less often?” You check the appropriate box corresponding to the response on the interview form; data is quantitative.
- An open-ended question might ask, “How do you feel after spending time in the garden?” Write down all that the respondent says. This provides richer, more qualitative answers.
Acceptable Practices
The physical site features should be inventoried and evaluated. Record quantity, condition (good, fair, poor), location, and any remarks for each of the site elements. Examples of site elements include but are not limited to: adjacent land use; public transportation; recreation equipment; curbs; walls; fence; etc.
Practices to Avoid
- Avoid rushing through a site visit. Well spent time during a site visit is always better than having to make repeat visits to gather information that could be gathered in a single, comprehensive site visit.
- Avoid scheduling too little time for a site visit. Often, a good deal of information can be gathered about how a site is being used, by just spending some time there and observing what takes place during the course of a day.
- Avoid making quick judgments about how a site is used based on one limited visit.
Photographic Information
Description
Photo documentation of every phase of a project, from existing conditions through completion, can save time, money, help answer questions and provide a basis for resolving disputes. With digital photography and the ease of storing photos, it is always better to take more photos than less.
The hardest photo to take is the existing condition “before” shot, after the project has been completed.
A systematic approach to site photography will provide an organized catalogue of photos that will be easy to access, as the need arises. An organized library of photos can provide many advantages, some of which include:
- A documentation of existing conditions prior to the start of construction.
- A good reference during the preparation of contract documents that can minimize additional site visits.
- Help respond to requests for information from contractors during the bidding process.
- Help respond to questions during the construction process.
- Confirm construction practices and document conformance or deviations with the contract documents.
- Resolve disputes and provide accountability, such as whether damage to existing site elements to remain occurred during the construction process.
- Documentation of how site elements have been constructed as well as underground utilities that will not be visible after the project has been completed.
- Provide before and after pictures of the project. After a project is completed, it is very easy to quickly forget how the site looked prior to the project being undertaken.
Do not limit your photos to just your site. Document existing conditions of adjacent sites, sidewalks and streets, in detail, as often issues are raised by other owners during the construction process.
A camera with 6 megapixels or more is sufficient for almost all project photo documentat...
