Page 89 - GRIHA Manual Volume II - Introduction to National Rating System
P. 89
Sustainable site planning 81
CRIteRIon 7
plAn utIlItIeS effICIently
And optIMIze on-SIte
CIRCulAtIon effICIenCy
Introduction
Site infrastructure forms the link between the built form and natural ecosystem. The site infrastructure
includes traffic, transportation, utility systems, and planning the pattern of movement for these.
Every site has a carrying capacity for human activity, which is based on the sensitivity of the site
resources and the regenerative ability of the land. This capacity needs to be gauged during different
phases of development.
Conventional practices of site planning do not consider the natural topography of site and site
features during planning of utilities and circulation patterns. This leads to destruction of existing
habitat. Circulation networks are designed keeping peak requirements in consideration. Road
networks are not designed to minimize circulation or follow site features.
Utilities are laid and planned independently, causing disturbance across the site. Utility corridors
are not designed to allow for future expansion and addition.
Unplanned design of roads and utilities on site leads to division of site into various impermeable
pockets. It also increases the percentage of site area under roads and utility corridors, thereby
reducing the percentage of vegetated surfaces. Unnecessary road lengths and utility corridors add
to the destruction of the various site features. Designing roads for peak use leads to wastage of
materials, adds to the disturbance on site, and wastes resources. Roads lead to soil erosion in their
vicinity due to increased flow of and/or run-off water from their surface. Overdesigned, under-
utilized infrastructure on site results in cutting down of the natural habitat of the site and disrupts
the various ecosystems. Utilities not designed keeping in mind site features, slopes, and so on, can
lead to increased energy consumption for operation.
Solutions
Site infrastructure should be planned and designed such that disruption of natural site conditions
and features is minimal.
For roads
# minimize road widths Road widths can be reduced by designing roads for average daily
traffic and not peak traffic. When roads are designed for peak traffic conditions, they remain
under-utilized for most of the time. Minimizing road widths ensures savings in materials and
construction and reduces site disturbance.
# minimize road lengths Minimizing road lengths involves providing the most optimal design
layout on site for primary and secondary circulation. Minimizing road lengths results in saving
on construction materials, as well as reducing site disturbance. Shorter roads reduce the amount
of maintenance as well.
CRIteRIon 7
plAn utIlItIeS effICIently
And optIMIze on-SIte
CIRCulAtIon effICIenCy
Introduction
Site infrastructure forms the link between the built form and natural ecosystem. The site infrastructure
includes traffic, transportation, utility systems, and planning the pattern of movement for these.
Every site has a carrying capacity for human activity, which is based on the sensitivity of the site
resources and the regenerative ability of the land. This capacity needs to be gauged during different
phases of development.
Conventional practices of site planning do not consider the natural topography of site and site
features during planning of utilities and circulation patterns. This leads to destruction of existing
habitat. Circulation networks are designed keeping peak requirements in consideration. Road
networks are not designed to minimize circulation or follow site features.
Utilities are laid and planned independently, causing disturbance across the site. Utility corridors
are not designed to allow for future expansion and addition.
Unplanned design of roads and utilities on site leads to division of site into various impermeable
pockets. It also increases the percentage of site area under roads and utility corridors, thereby
reducing the percentage of vegetated surfaces. Unnecessary road lengths and utility corridors add
to the destruction of the various site features. Designing roads for peak use leads to wastage of
materials, adds to the disturbance on site, and wastes resources. Roads lead to soil erosion in their
vicinity due to increased flow of and/or run-off water from their surface. Overdesigned, under-
utilized infrastructure on site results in cutting down of the natural habitat of the site and disrupts
the various ecosystems. Utilities not designed keeping in mind site features, slopes, and so on, can
lead to increased energy consumption for operation.
Solutions
Site infrastructure should be planned and designed such that disruption of natural site conditions
and features is minimal.
For roads
# minimize road widths Road widths can be reduced by designing roads for average daily
traffic and not peak traffic. When roads are designed for peak traffic conditions, they remain
under-utilized for most of the time. Minimizing road widths ensures savings in materials and
construction and reduces site disturbance.
# minimize road lengths Minimizing road lengths involves providing the most optimal design
layout on site for primary and secondary circulation. Minimizing road lengths results in saving
on construction materials, as well as reducing site disturbance. Shorter roads reduce the amount
of maintenance as well.
