Site Planning and Urban Design Flashcards
6 cards from real Architecture and Design practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Site Planning and Urban Design flashcards as text
What does 'LEED' stand for in sustainable building certification?
Answer: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the U.S. Green Building Council's rating system for sustainable building design, construction, and operation.
A 'charrette' in the context of urban design is:
Answer: An intensive, multi-day collaborative design workshop involving stakeholders
A design charrette is an intensive collaborative workshop where designers, planners, and community members work together to develop a shared vision for a project.
In site analysis, 'solar access' refers to:
Answer: The right to receive unobstructed sunlight on a property for solar energy purposes
Solar access rights protect a property owner's ability to receive sunlight, especially important for solar energy systems that could be shaded by neighboring buildings.
What is the primary design goal of 'Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design' (CPTED)?
Answer: To design environments that reduce opportunities for crime through natural surveillance, access control, and territorial reinforcement
CPTED uses physical design strategies — visibility, lighting, clear boundaries, and activity — to deter criminal behavior and increase perceptions of safety.
What does 'impervious surface coverage' regulate in many zoning codes?
Answer: The maximum percentage of a lot that can be covered with hard surfaces that prevent water infiltration
Limiting impervious coverage reduces stormwater runoff volume by ensuring enough permeable area for infiltration and groundwater recharge.
New Urbanism is a planning movement that advocates for:
Answer: Mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods designed around human-scale streets and transit
New Urbanism promotes compact, mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods with traditional street grids and public spaces that reduce automobile dependence.