Page 9 - GRIHA Manual Volume II - Introduction to National Rating System
P. 9
Introduction 1
IntRoduCtIon
Site selection and planning are crucial factors in achieving the objectives of sustainability of a
project. It is important to include various environmental factors while carrying out this activity.
With increasing urban development and environmental degradation, it has become imperative to
determine landscape design parameters, and also provide rules, regulations, controls and procedures
for the protection, preservation and modification of the surrounding environment. In most cases,
the site is selected by the developer before commencement of design phase. However, ideally the
design team should be involved in site selection and should assess the appropriateness of the site
relative to the proposed development. Analysis and assessment of the site characteristics in terms
of its capacity to provide natural resources inside the building such as light, air and water without
damaging the natural environment should be carried out during site selection and analysis process.
The aim shall be to integrate an architecturally sustainable design with the natural environment
with least damage to nature and at best improving it by restoring its balance.
Sustainable site planning
Sustainable site planning addresses the overall objective of maximizing the conservation and
utilization of resources (land, water, natural habitat, avi fauna, and energy) and enhances efficiency
of the systems and operations of site-related activities. Sustainable site planning section covers the
following criteria of GRIHA.
Criterion 1 Site selection (1 point)
This criterion suggests that the site plan must be in conformity with the development plan/master
plan/ Urban Development Plans Formulation and Implementation (UDPFI) guidelines and should
comply with the provisions of eco-sensitive zone regulations, coastal zone regulations, heritage
areas (identified in the master plan or issued separately as specific guidelines), water body zones (in
such zones, no construction is permitted in the water-spread and buffer belt of 30 metre minimum
around the FTL), various hazard-prone area regulations, and others if the site falls under any such
area .
Additionally, the site should be located within a radius of half a kilometre from an existing bus
stop, commuter rail, light rail or metro station and/or the proposed site must be a Brownfield site
(to rehabilitate damaged sites where development is hindered by environmental contamination,
thereby reducing pressure on undeveloped land).
IntRoduCtIon
Site selection and planning are crucial factors in achieving the objectives of sustainability of a
project. It is important to include various environmental factors while carrying out this activity.
With increasing urban development and environmental degradation, it has become imperative to
determine landscape design parameters, and also provide rules, regulations, controls and procedures
for the protection, preservation and modification of the surrounding environment. In most cases,
the site is selected by the developer before commencement of design phase. However, ideally the
design team should be involved in site selection and should assess the appropriateness of the site
relative to the proposed development. Analysis and assessment of the site characteristics in terms
of its capacity to provide natural resources inside the building such as light, air and water without
damaging the natural environment should be carried out during site selection and analysis process.
The aim shall be to integrate an architecturally sustainable design with the natural environment
with least damage to nature and at best improving it by restoring its balance.
Sustainable site planning
Sustainable site planning addresses the overall objective of maximizing the conservation and
utilization of resources (land, water, natural habitat, avi fauna, and energy) and enhances efficiency
of the systems and operations of site-related activities. Sustainable site planning section covers the
following criteria of GRIHA.
Criterion 1 Site selection (1 point)
This criterion suggests that the site plan must be in conformity with the development plan/master
plan/ Urban Development Plans Formulation and Implementation (UDPFI) guidelines and should
comply with the provisions of eco-sensitive zone regulations, coastal zone regulations, heritage
areas (identified in the master plan or issued separately as specific guidelines), water body zones (in
such zones, no construction is permitted in the water-spread and buffer belt of 30 metre minimum
around the FTL), various hazard-prone area regulations, and others if the site falls under any such
area .
Additionally, the site should be located within a radius of half a kilometre from an existing bus
stop, commuter rail, light rail or metro station and/or the proposed site must be a Brownfield site
(to rehabilitate damaged sites where development is hindered by environmental contamination,
thereby reducing pressure on undeveloped land).
