BLArch Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Site Planning 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a USGS topographic map, contour lines that are spaced very close together indicate:
- A flat floodplain with minimal relief
- A steep slope with rapid elevation change (Correct answer)
- A depression or closed basin
- A ridge line where two slopes diverge
Correct answer: A steep slope with rapid elevation change
Closely spaced contour lines represent rapid elevation change over a short horizontal distance, indicating a steep slope.
Question 2: Which factor is most critical when siting a bioretention cell (rain garden) relative to a building foundation?
- Prevailing wind direction for mosquito control
- Minimum horizontal setback to prevent infiltrating water from undermining the foundation (Correct answer)
- Proximity to the building entrance for maintenance access
- Solar exposure for evapotranspiration efficiency
Correct answer: Minimum horizontal setback to prevent infiltrating water from undermining the foundation
Bioretention cells must be located at least 10 feet (typically) from foundations to prevent infiltrated water from saturating soils and causing structural damage.
Question 3: A 'program of requirements' document in site planning establishes:
- The construction phasing schedule and contractor bid requirements
- The complete list of spatial needs, functional relationships, and performance criteria for a project (Correct answer)
- The legal description of property boundaries and easements
- The regulatory permits required for site disturbance
Correct answer: The complete list of spatial needs, functional relationships, and performance criteria for a project
A program of requirements (or simply 'program') defines what spaces are needed, how large they should be, how they relate, and what performance standards they must meet.
Question 4: When calculating floor area ratio (FAR), which of the following is correct?
- FAR = total floor area of all building stories ÷ total lot area (Correct answer)
- FAR = building footprint ÷ total lot area × 100%
- FAR = number of floors × lot coverage percentage
- FAR = gross building area ÷ number of parking spaces
Correct answer: FAR = total floor area of all building stories ÷ total lot area
FAR is computed by dividing the total gross floor area of all stories by the area of the parcel, expressing how much building mass is allowed relative to lot size.
Question 5: Which type of retaining wall relies on the weight of its own mass to resist overturning and sliding?
- Cantilever retaining wall
- Gravity retaining wall (Correct answer)
- Mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall
- Sheet pile wall
Correct answer: Gravity retaining wall
Gravity retaining walls—including dry-laid stone and massive concrete walls—resist earth pressure through their own weight without relying on structural reinforcement.
Question 6: In site planning, a 'level of service' (LOS) rating for a pedestrian pathway is primarily based on:
- The pavement material and surface texture
- Pedestrian volume, density, and freedom of movement on the path (Correct answer)
- The width of adjacent vehicle travel lanes
- Presence or absence of lighting along the path
Correct answer: Pedestrian volume, density, and freedom of movement on the path
Pedestrian LOS (A through F) is assessed using flow rate, space per pedestrian, and the degree to which walkers can move at their desired speed without conflict.
Question 7: A 'cross-section' drawing in site planning most effectively communicates:
- Property boundary dimensions and bearings
- Vertical relationships between grades, structures, and subsurface conditions along a cut plane (Correct answer)
- Horizontal distances between program elements
- The sequence of construction activities for a grading project
Correct answer: Vertical relationships between grades, structures, and subsurface conditions along a cut plane
Cross-sections slice through the site vertically, showing the relationship between topography, proposed grades, building heights, and below-grade conditions at a specific location.
BLArch Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Site Planning 5
In a USGS topographic map, contour lines that are spaced very close together indicate: