Site Analysis & Planning Flashcards
7 cards from real CLA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Site Analysis & Planning flashcards as text
In hydrological site analysis, the term 'time of concentration' refers to:
Answer: The time for runoff to travel from the farthest point in a watershed to the outlet
Time of concentration (Tc) is the travel time of runoff from the hydraulically most distant point in the contributing drainage area to the point of interest.
A landscape architect performing a tree survey assigns each tree a 'condition rating.' What does a condition rating of 'poor' typically indicate?
Answer: The tree has severe structural defects and declining health
A poor condition rating indicates significant structural damage, disease, pest infestation, or decline that may warrant removal or intensive treatment.
Which planning principle best describes clustering development on a site to preserve open space?
Answer: Conservation subdivision design
Conservation subdivision design concentrates lots on a portion of a site, leaving the remainder as permanently protected open space while maintaining overall density.
When evaluating existing vegetation for a site analysis, a landscape architect should assess all of the following EXCEPT:
Answer: Current market timber value
Timber market value is not a standard site analysis metric; landscape architects assess species, health, canopy, and ecological function of existing vegetation.
A soil classified as 'expansive' presents which primary design concern for site planning?
Answer: Volume change with moisture fluctuations that can damage structures and paving
Expansive soils (typically high-clay content) swell when wet and shrink when dry, causing heaving, cracking, and structural damage to pavements, foundations, and walls.
A landscape architect reviews a topographic map and identifies a series of V-shaped contour lines pointing uphill. This pattern indicates:
Answer: A valley or drainage channel
V-shaped contours pointing uphill (upstream) indicate a valley or drainage swale where water collects and flows downhill.
During site analysis for a park in an urban heat island area, which surface characteristic would most reduce local temperatures?
Answer: High albedo (light-colored) paving
High-albedo (light-colored) surfaces reflect more solar radiation rather than absorbing it, reducing surface temperatures and mitigating urban heat island effects.