The document outlines essential guidelines for sustainable site planning and selection in green building construction, emphasizing collaborative design, ecological considerations, and effective landscaping. Key factors include avoiding disaster-prone areas, ensuring access to public amenities, and minimizing environmental impact through proper site layout and reduced impervious surfaces. It also discusses soil erosion control methods and LEED certification criteria related to site selection, community connection, public transportation accessibility, and stormwater management.

1. Chapter III
Site Planning & Selection
Prepared by: Dr. Amir Shtayat
Date: 29-04-2023

2. SITE PLANNING FOR GREEN BUILDING
• Sustainable site planning is followed in green building construction. These
involve the following features.
1. Planning:
A collaborative approach is followed where the owners, engineers, architects,
contractors, and important stakeholders to bought together to develop a
sustainable design process. This helps to combine valuable inputs from
different expertise.

3. 2. Site Plan:
A sustainable site plan is developed based on the discussions and inputs. A sustainable
site plan for green building construction is a plan that has less impact on the
environment while meeting the project goals of the client. The site plan must fit the
project parameters without compromising environmental concerns.
3. Site Selection: Important parameters to be considered while selecting site are:
1. The site must not fall under the disaster zone. Flood plain areas must be avoided.
2. If the building is to be constructed around water bodies, buffers of undisturbed soil
must be provided.
3. Ease of transportation of resources for construction purpose must be kept in mind.
The site accessible to public and other means of transportation is a good choice.
4. Ensure that basic amenities such as bank, child care , post office , park , library ,
primary school , clinic and community hall are near to or within the site premises .

4. 4. Site Layout:
Proper orientation of building or site layout helps to save energy by 25%.
Following parameters are considered while siting and orienting building.
1. The plan is elongated along East/West axis
2. Exposures to north and south are good for daylighting
3. Windows must not be provided facing east and west
4. The most populated area must be oriented towards the north or south
direction

5. 5. Reduce Impervious Surfaces of Site:
Implementing large impervious surfaces throughout the site to avoid water
runoff issues and to increase the aesthetic is not a sustainable practice. An
increase in the impervious surface affects the groundwater recharge causing
heat island effect.
Limiting the impervious surface helps reduce the environmental impact
drastically. Site imperviousness can be reduced by the following methods:
1. Implementing green roofs
2. Placing plants around parking areas
3. Implementing permeable pavement options

6. LANDSCAPING FOR GREEN BUILDING
• In most of the project, landscape design is ignored in the planning stage.
• There are many benefits a sustainable landscape design can provide beyond
the aesthetics of the site.
• Good landscape design is an effective microclimate modifier
• A good landscape design provides shading for the outdoors which is one
way of modifying microclimate.
• It helps to modulate the air flows within the building.

7. • Improperly designed landscape consumes large amounts of potable water
for its maintenance. Some important parameters to be considered for
landscape planning for green building construction are:
1. The landscape is placed to directly receive the runoff and captured water
2. Landscape is placed and designed such that it filters and cleans
stormwater
3. Provide site rain gardens in parking areas
4. Instead of constructing retention ponds, bio-retention ponds can be
employed
Care needs to be taken to avoid an undesirable increase in humidity levels,
by excessive plantations. Plant species for landscaping have to be chosen
based on the microclimatic benefits they provide and their water demand.

8. LANDSCAPING CONSIDERATIONS FOR GREEN BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION
1. For Projects larger than 1 hectare of topsoil and preserve for reuse on site. For
tsunami-affected areas, ensure that topsoil has not been rendered unusable.
2. A pH of value of soil ranging from 6.0 to 7.5 and organic content of not less than
1.5% by mass needs to be maintained. When the pH is less than 6, lime is added.
This can adjust the value to 6. 5 or higher. Any soil that has soluble salt content
>500 ppm should not be used for the purpose of landscaping.
3. Preserve existing vegetation on site. Mark all existing vegetation in tree survey plan.
Evolve tree preservation guidelines
4. For all mature trees removed for construction, as a compensation forestation has to
be performed in a ratio of 1:5 within the site premises.
5. Do not alter the existing drainage pattern on site. All the existing grades should be
maintained around existing vegetation.
6. Use of recycled landscaping products.

9. Soil Erosion
• Erosion is the process of weathering and transport of solids (sediment, soil,
rock and other particles) in the natural environment or their source and
deposits them elsewhere. It usually occurs due to transport by wind, water or
by down-slope creep of soil and other material under the force of gravity; or
by living organisms, such as burrowing animals, in the case of bioerosion.
• Erosion is a natural process, but it has been increased dramatically by human
land use, especially industrial agriculture, deforestation, and urban
infrastructure.
• A certain amount of erosion is natural and, in fact, healthy for the ecosystem.
For example, gravels continuously move downstream in watercourses.
Excessive erosion, however, causes serious problems, such as receiving water
sedimentation, ecosystem damage and outright loss of soil.

10. SOIL EROSION CONTROL METHODS AT CONSTRUCTION
SITE:
Development projects involve disturbance to the existing soil conditions, removal of
existing trees and overall change in the microclimate and drainage pattern
Approach and Methodologies:
• Evolve strategies to stockpile top soil and reuse later for landscaping purpose or
stockpiled soil can be donated to other sites for landscaping purpose.
• Consider adopting measures such as temporary and permanent seeding, mulching,
earth dikes, silt fencing, sediment traps, and sediment basins as appropriate.
• Open areas can be landscaped (eg., grass, trees, shrubs). Paved areas can be installed
with permeable paving. For impermeable surfaces direct all run off towards storm
water collection pits.

11. Pre Construction Measures:
Timing of Construction:
Construction work and erosion control applications shall be scheduled and
sequenced during dry weather periods when the potential for erosion is the
lowest. Slope protection techniques to control erosion shall be used when
construction during wet season is unavoidable. Sedimentation collection
systems, drainage systems, and runoff diversion devices shall be installed before
construction activity.
Preservation of Existing Vegetation:
Protect existing vegetation (including trees, shrubs, grasses and other plants)
where possible, by preventing disturbance or damage to specified areas during
construction

12. Preservation of Topsoil:
Topsoil removal and preservation shall be mandatory for development projects
larger than 1.00 hectare.
Topsoil shall be stripped to a depth of 200 mm from areas proposed to be
occupied by buildings, roads, paved areas and external services.
Topsoil is rich in organic content and is essential to establish new vegetation. It
shall be stockpiled to a height of 400 mm in designated areas and shall be re-
applied to site during plantation of the proposed vegetation.
Topsoil shall be separated from sub-soil debris and stones larger than 50 mm
diameter. The stored topsoil may be used as finished grade for planting areas.

13. Spill Prevention and Control:
Spill prevention and control plans shall be made, clearly stating measures to
stop the source of the spill, to contain the spill, to dispose the contaminated
material and hazmdous wastes, and stating designation of personnel trained to
prevent and control spills.
Hazardous wastes include pesticides, paints, cleaners, petroleum products,
fertilizers and solvents
Measures during Construction:
During construction soil becomes unconsolidated due to removal of stabilizing
material such as vegetation and disturbance of stabilized existing grade
resulting in loss of topsoil and also deposition in undesirable places.

14. Sedimentation Basin:
A temporary dam or basin at the lowest point of the site
has to be constructed for collecting, trapping and storing
sediment produced by the construction activities, together
with a flow detention facility for reducing peak runoff
rates. This would allow most of the sediments to settle
before the runoff is directed towards the outfall.
Contour Trenching:
Contour trenching is an earth embankment or ridge- and-
channel arrangement constructed parallel to the contours
along the face of the slope at regular intervals on long and
steep slopes (in sloping areas with slopes greater than 10
percent). They are used for reducing runoff velocity,
increasing the distance of overland runoff flow, and to hold
moisture and minimize sediment loading of surface runoff.
Vegetative cover of tree and native grasses in the channels
may be planted to stabilize the slopes and reduce erosion.

15. Mulching:
Mulching shall be used with seeding and planting in steep slope
areas (slopes greater than 33 percent) that are prone to heavy
erosion.
Netting or anchoring shall be used to hold it in place. Other
surface runoff control measures like contour terracing to break
up concentrated flows shall be installed prior to seeding and
mulching.
Materials such as straw, grass, grass hay and compost shall be
placed on or incorporated into the soil surface.
In addition to stabilizing soils, mulching will reduce the storm
water runoff over an area. Together with seeding or planting,
mulching aids plant growth by holding the seed, fertilizers and
topsoil in place.
It retains moisture and insulates the soil against extreme
temperatures

16. Gee-grids:
A deformed or non-deformed netlike polymeric
material used with foundation, soil, rock, earth or
any other gee-technical engineering-related
material as an integral part of the human-made
project structure or system, called gee-grids may be
used as control measure.
The junctions have a central opening through
which water can permeate ensuring that organic
material receives moisture for rapid growth

17. MAXIMIZE COMFORT BY PROPER ORIENTATION OF
BUILDING FACADES
• Criteria for site selection
Below are certain essential parameters that must be taken into consideration
while selecting the site:
o Impact on the Environment
o Connection with the Community
o New Development is Limited
o Transportation
o Public Amenities and Availability
o Utilizing Open spaces
o Heat Land Reduction
o Storm Water Control

18. Impact on the Environment
The environmental impact from the project is how the construction of buildings,
roadways, parking structures affect the soil, land, the waterways and the whole
ecosystem. LEED rating system points out certain policies, which include:
• Not to undergo construction of structures on land that is purely marked as the
farmland by the government authorities as per the Department of agriculture.
This is specifically marked in U.S.
• No construction on land that serves as natural habitats for the endangered
species
• Avoid construction on land that was previously marked as public parkland
• Avoid constructing on land less than 50 cents that have small waterways which
are the habitat for aquatic lives. This are land that serve recreation purpose.

19. Connection with the Community
• This idea is based On LEED system which specifies that the construction of a
particular project must contribute some positive development for the
surrounding community under consideration.
• This means to protect the green fields that are the important trademark for the
community and convert any grayfield or brownfield for the construction
purpose.
• LEED specifies certain specifications and concerns related to the same:
1. Having project development that is half a mile away from the populated or
residential area .
2. A site that was previously occupied and form an urban neighborhood is good
for development.

20. 3. Having renovations to the existing buildings
4. Having the project within half mile of amenities. The access to these
amenities must also be provided by means of sidewalks, roadways so that
pedestrians can reach easily. The amenities include places of worship,
hospitals and medical centres, post offices, restaurant, stores, libraries and
parks.
5. LEED system application in green building construction not just let the
construction happen in a sustainable manner, but also help develop the
community surrounding the construction site.

21. New Development is Limited
• This policy of LEED system is to make it clear to avoid the construction of a new
project on a new land and utilize the land that are already abandoned. This involves
the construction on brownfield sites, run – down land.
• The sites that are already contaminates, landfills, and those lands that are classified
as brownfields sites officially by government can also be utilized for the same.
• There are certain policies that are put forward by LEED system in order to save the
green field land, by restricting the perimeter of the building:
1. The construction of a parking garage can be carried out under the building (
underground parking) instead on outside land
2. To have reduction of water usage, bad impacts on soil and spreading of
invasive plants; low maintenance plants and shrubs that are very much native and
local to the area are incorporated as a part of building aesthetics and landscaping
feature.
3. 3. The construction or the demolition activities carried out are kept within a
limited boundary, so that the surrounding environment does not face undesirable
disturbances.

22. Transportation
• LEED system provides a great concern for proximity of transportation. When
analyzing a building that is seeking LEED certification, a maximum of 6 credits
are given for those construction sites that are near to public transportation
facilities like subway station, train station and bus station.
• The LEED specifies the site to be within a quarter of a mile walking distance for
a minimum of 1 or 2 stops for transportation. This promotes the use of public
transportation by the future occupants instead of having their own cars. This
reduces traffic, carbon emission and hence the negative impacts on the
environment.

23. Public Amenities and Availability
• Those project that grants room for storage and bicycle racks are credited with 1
point by the LEED system under LEED certification credits. If the commercial
green building also provide space for workers for changing rooms, storage
lockers, showers and other essential utilities this credit is added.
• The racks that are provided must be within 200 yards of the building. These
racks must occupy 5% of the building occupants. The changing areas and the
showers must be sufficient so that it occupies 0.5% of the occupants.
• If the facility provide space for parking low emission vehicles and electric cars
the LEED system credit with 3 points. If there is parking charge, it must be
discounted This point can increase, if there is provision for alternative fuel
stations. This helps the employees to carpool or ride – share in a low emitting
vehicles. This commitment must be for at least 2 years.

24. Utilization of Open Space
• The provision of open space in an office environment help to preserve the
natural environment and the improvement of the overall working atmosphere.
This makes LEED system grant 1 point
• This can be achieved by different methods, which include:
1. Having open space greater than local zoning requirements by an amount of
25%.
2. Having open space that is 20 % of the building footprint. These are for areas
with no open space environment available
3. Having underground parking or sharing the parking with the neighboring
buildings or the facilities helps to achieve the above mention goal for open
space.

25. Control of Storm water
• For those projects that reduces the pollution caused by storm water by an
amount of 25% makes the LEED system to grant 1 point. This includes the
incorporation of irrigation techniques so that the storm water and the runoff is
controlled and prevented adequately.
• The use of permeable pavements helps in the reduction of storm water and
runoff issues. The use of such special pavement helps in water absorption that
help in ground water recharging.
• The storm water can be collected and used for landscape irrigation and for
toilet flushing. Extra points are also for those facilities that collects and treat 90
% of the storm water runoff.

26. Reduction of Heat Islands:
• Many methods can be followed so that heat-absorbing structures can be
reduced. This means the formation of heat islands is reduced. The use of
black roof can be avoided as a measure against heat islands.
• The use of shading through trees or through sun blockers artificially made
or minimize the using open parking lots are some of the good measures.
• The use of vegetated roofs or a roof that is painted in light color help a lot
in avoiding heat absorption. Having vegetation on the exterior landscape
of the building is also a good solution against heat islands. The LEED
system grants 1 point for these considerations