Site Design Layout & Utilities

The Usefulness of any parcel of land, whether urban, suburban, or rural, depends on the existence of adequate access (roads), and depending on use, typically utilities to serve it. Regardless of other advantages, land is of little value for any kind of development if it's not readily accessible, or if it cannot be serviced.

Therefore, a primary consideration in planning the use of a site is the adequacy of both circulation access and utility services. Circulation access may include pedestrian, vehicular, and public transit movement systems. Utility may include water, sewer, gas, electricity, and communication systems.

On the other hand, site access being difficult can be a selling point or ideal quality people are searching for, however, unless planning a camping site, there is still concern needed for access to utilities (whether existing or provided).

Definitions

Road Design: The design and layout of streets and parking on a site

Automobile Circulation: How the car will move around a site.

Site Layout

Site layout is the design and layout of roads/streets/utilities/etc that the community will use to access areas around the community. Typically, roads should be of sufficient width to make driving easy and at least wide enough to allow two vehicles to pass. Even one-way alleyways should provide sufficient area or spots for one vehicle to pass another. Road curves should be gradual and follow the natural topography of the site if possible. It's always easiest (and cheapest) to follow the natural grading a site gives you.