Topic: Site planning and micro climate

with examples relating to

landscape architecture

Submitted to :
Prof.N.Jayaraman Name: R.Sowndharya
Subject : Landscape & Reg.no: 510311251011
ecology X sem SOA , Amace.
 content:
hard and softscape
elements of climate
climate factors
climate change and plants
landform types by form
functional uses of landform
levels of climate
landscape elements-landform
Important Things to Consider When Planning Landscape Design
Conclusion
reference:
Home / Blog Posts / Contour Gardening For Efficiency
Role Of Landscape Elements In Inducing Micro-climate
 Hard and soft landscape
The term hard landscape to
describe the construction materials
which are used to improve a
landscape by design.
A wide range of hard landscape
materials can be used, such as
brick, gravel, rock or stone,
concrete, timber, bitumen, glass,
metals, etc.
'Hard landscape' can also describe
outdoor furniture and other
landscape products.
The term soft landscape to
describe the vegetative
materials which are used to
improve a landscape by
design.
The range of soft landscape
materials includes each
layer of the ecological
sequence: aquatic plants,
semi-aquatic plants, field
layer plants (including
grasses and herbaceous
plants) shrubs and trees.
Climate change and plants
Historical climate change has had a profound effect on
current biogeography, so we can expect our ongoing
and rapid climate change, to have as great an effect.

Climate change has important implications for nearly

every aspect of life on Earth, and effects are already
being felt.
LANDFORM TYPES
BY FORM
1. Level landform

A person feels
comfortable and sure
footed when standing
on or walking across a
level landform

Creates an open,
spacious, exposed
feeling

No definition of
enclosed space, no
sense of privacy, no
protection from
objectionable sights
and sounds, no
defense against sun
and wind
Views may extend uninterrupted for
considerable distances long views may help Horizontal lines
establish a sense of unity on the level landform and forms are
harmonious
elements
E.g. the prairie
house by Frank
Lloyd Wright

Vertical element becomes a

dominant element and focal
point, does not take much
height to attract attention

The peaceful aspect of level

landform allows it to serve as a
setting or backdrop to the eye-
catching use of other elements
2. Convex landform
Include Knolls, knobs, buttes, mountain hill summits
Dynamic, exiting landform
Can serve as a focal point on the landscape
Create a greater feeling of reverence and Respect for the object or person

For example, Churches, important structures are placed on top of convex landforms
give the feeling
Define space by slope
5. Valley
Like the concave landform, a low area in the
landscape, functions as Positive space or room

The valley is also linear and directional

Is a suitable location for movement

The valley floor is often fertile ground and

consequently the location of very productive
agricultural land
FUNCTIONAL USES OF LANDFORM
1. Spatial definition

Perception of space
o The floor area of space
o The steepness of enclosing slopes
o The horizon,
silhouette line `
The floor area of the space is the bottom or base plane of the space, usable area

Slope assumes the function of the vertical plane, acting as walls of an exterior
space

o The steeper the slope, the more pronounced the delineation of space
o The horizon/silhouette line represents the edge between the perceived top of the
landform and the sky
o Its position with respect to height and distance from the position of the viewer
affects views out of the space and the perceived spatial limits

All three variables interact simultaneously with one another to enclose space
2. Control views
To enframe views to a particular focal point in the environment, landform
can be built up on one or both sides of the sight line
Landform may be used to
show off or exhibit a
particular object or scene

Objects placed on a high

point or summit are easily
seen from great distances

Objects located on the side

slopes of a valley or ridge are
seen from lower areas

# Can be created a sense of

anticipation and curiosity
when one sees only a
portion of an object

# Encouraged the viewer to

move toward the object with
the hope of seeing more of it
 To create a sequence of changing views as one moves toward an object
Can hide an object at the toe of the slope from the more distant vantage
points on top of the high point
3. Influence Movement
To influence the direction, speed, and rhythm of both pedestrian and vehicular
movement
The level landform permits the greatest degree of flexibility in movement
Slope of the ground surface increases movement more difficult
Circulation across sloped surfaces should be minimized
To affect the rate of movement in a design
 SOLAR-RADIATION

MICRO-CLIMATE WIND

TEMPERATURE
HUMIDITY &
PRECIPITATION

LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS
LAND

VEGETATION

WATER

Fig 1: Chart showing the methodology of study (

source: author)
LEVELS OF CLIMATE

The two main levels at which design for climate

occurs are the :-
I. MACROCLIMATE -the broad regional
climate zones.

II.MICROCLIMATE-the small-scale, site-

specific climate variations in those larger zones.

III. MESO-CLIMATE, applies to an area,

smaller than a region but larger than a single site.

For example, Denver and Chicago are located in

the same macroclimate, but the climatic
characteristics of the two cities are quite
different; each therefore has its own meso-
climate, and within each city specific sites have
differing microclimates.
Figure 2 : The three levels of climate
(source: Kim W. Todd- site, space &
structure)
MICRO CLIMATE
Microclimate is a condition of solar & terrestrial radiation, wind,
air-temperature, humidity and precipitation in small outdoor open spaces.

MAJOR MICRO CLIMATE FACTORS

1. Wind
2. Solar radiation
3. Temperature
4. Precipitation and humidity

are the influencing factors of landscape, which can be modified by

landscape elements to affect thermal comfort.
 30 c

20 c

DBT

Figure 8:A schematic comfort zone

Source: Victor Olgay, Design with climate
LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS-landform
1a)LANDFORM with affect to WIND-PATTERN

1. LANDFORMS TOPOGRAHY

The general pattern of wind prevailing for an area depends on the topography or the
landform profile of the site. e.g: Wind blowing across flat sites remain laminar wind and at
full force.

The direction & intensity of valley winds vary during the course of the
24 hour day.
. However, the profiles of hills and valleys creates variation based on steepness and on
the orientation of the slopes with respect to the prevailing pattern.
Because cold air is heavier than warm air, the airflow tends to be downhill during the
night and uphill during the day.
 If the windward side of the hill is steeper than the leeward side, the change in the wind
pattern is more abrupt than if the leeward side is steeper.
For example: Rolling hills break the
wind slightly at each peak, and the wind
speed in the valley is reduced somewhat.

2. LANDFORM SURFACES
The surfaces across which the wind
blows affects the winds force, path,
and composition.

A smooth surface offers nothing in the

way of resistance ; wind blowing across a
smooth surface with an even topography
Air flow over rolling hills ( Source: 3:Gary O will reach peak speeds in a predictable
Robinette; Landscape planning for Energy direction.
conservation
A very rough surface on the other
hand, will break the wind at ground level,
introducing separation or turbulence.
3:Gary O Robinette; Landscape planning for Energy conservation; 1977
1c). LANDFORM with affect to HUMIDITY & PRECIPITATION
1. LANDFORM TOPOGRAPHY
Wind can make the difference between comfort and discomfort when the air is heavy
and humid, since it is able to remove humidity through evaporative and convective
cooling.
Because topography affects the pattern of the winds that carry moisture.

Small landforms receive relatively heavy precipitation on the leeward side of the
hill .
As the moving air begins to climb the windward side of the hill, the bottom layer of
the air speeds up and the top layer begins to cool. This change in air pressure causes
the air to drop its moisture.
 2. For large landmasses the size of the mountain ranges and the landforms whose
windward sides are much steeper than their leeward sides, the opposite effect occurs ,
as the warm, moisture-laden air begins to climb the steep windward face of the
landform, it cools and finally reaches a point at which it cannot hold the water any
longer. This accounts for the huge amount of rains received on the windward side.
2. Kim W. Todd- site, space & structure ; 1985
 CONTOUR GARDENING FOR EFFICIENCY
MARK THE ELEVATION CONTOUR LINES.
mark the elevation contour lines in the area where you intend to place your garden

BUILD A RAISED BED OR OUTLINE A BERM ALONG THE

CONTOUR LINE.

Construct raised beds along a contour line that are 3- to 4-feet wide.

SHEET MULCH THE PROPOSED GARDEN AREA.

fill the raised bed or form the berm with compost soil. It is likely that you will have
to import some soil, but to reduce costs you can layer purchased soil with other
organic materials such as aged manure, shredded and aged leaf mulch, and/or
composted wood chips. Be sure the top 6 inches is compost soil.
 4: FINE-TUNE THE CONTOUR GARDEN
line it with stones or rocks if desired. Let the new
beds rest for at least two weeks before planting; three
months is ideal. For this reason, building a contour
garden in the fall is a good strategy.

During this resting time, expect the soil to settle, so

retain extra soil to add to the beds before planting.
 The air introduced into the building should pass under a high canopy cover or at
least over a grassy area.
This will provide cooler air for ventilation.
Air passes through and over a heavily wooded area in various patterns.
The air movement closer to the ground is 25 to 50 percent less than that above the
trees.
A small cut or clearing will create eddies that can make the air movement near the
ground move in the opposite direction as those of the prevailing winds.

Vegetation can be used to redirect the flow of air and channel it to specific areas or
locations on the site. The "Venturi effect" can also be created to increase the
velocity of air movement in the area of the structure.
 Microclimates are usually broken into one of Important Things to
four categories: full sun, partial shade, shade, or Consider When Planning
deep shade; take note of your landscape's Landscape Design
microclimate when selecting plants for your
landscape.
The topography of your site is important to
consider as well as you plan; take note of how
water drains in your landscape. The best
landscape design will promote water movement
away from your home towards other areas

A theme can unify your landscape and help

guide your plant and material selections.
Themes can be as simple as using consistent
shapes or forms throughout your yard or as
complex as creating a relaxation garden or an
Oriental garden.
 Themes can help guide how you place and select plants,
decorations, hardscapes, and structures.
Create and link spaces
Create openings to encourage exploration in your yard and
keep people moving throughout the landscape.
Structure your plantings
Repeating similar shapes and structures in your garden will
give you a unified view throughout your space.
Moving on to the vertical plane, consider how closely spaced
or far apart plants will be, how plants will be layered or
staggered (generally larger plants are used behind smaller
plants), as well as the individual and massed heights and
widths of your plants.
 Highlight important points
Using unique plants, distinct structures, or garden ornaments
allows you to highlight a particular area of your landscape.
Contrasting shapes, textures, sizes, and colors will help to
capture attention and direct it to a specific area.

Pay attention to detail

Plants, hardscapes, and garden ornaments all have their own
visual details, from various forms and shapes to an array of
colors and textures. By thinking about how these visual details
can be used to complement and contrast each other, you can
create a cohesive and captivating landscape.
 Protect your resources
By choosing resource-efficient plants, consciously
managing water, and choosing environmentally sound
hardscapes, you can help protect and preserve your
environment

When planning the changes to your landscape,

consider installing a rainwater catchment system
which will provide you with an environmentally
sustainable source of irrigation water. With careful
planning such a system can even be incorporated as
an aesthetic design element.
 Conclusion:

Using environmentally friendly hardscapes, non-toxic

preservatives, stains, paints, and cleaners is another
way you can protect your natural resources. Also,
consider reusing construction materials; before
demolition starts consider what materials you might
be able to reuse, repurpose, or incorporate into your
new landscape design.

Thank you !!!