LARE Site Inventory and Analysis Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A landscape architect is beginning the site analysis process for a proposed park on a large, undeveloped parcel of land. Which of the following tasks represents the 'analysis' phase, as distinct from the 'inventory' phase?
- Documenting the location and species of all existing trees over 6 inches in caliper.
- Mapping the existing utility lines, such as water, sewer, and electrical.
- Determining the areas most suitable for active recreation based on slope, drainage, and solar access. (Correct answer)
- Recording the current zoning classification and applicable setback requirements for the property.
Correct answer: Determining the areas most suitable for active recreation based on slope, drainage, and solar access.
Site inventory involves collecting and documenting existing data and features. [10, 17] Site analysis involves interpreting this data to identify opportunities, constraints, and suitability. Determining suitable areas for specific uses is a classic example of analysis because it requires synthesizing multiple inventory data points (slope, drainage, sun) to make a qualitative judgment. [10, 17]
Question 2: When evaluating a site's microclimate, which of the following factors would be most influential in creating a warm pocket that could support plants from a warmer hardiness zone?
- A low-lying area where cold air settles.
- A dense stand of evergreen trees on the north side of the property.
- A south-facing masonry wall that receives full sun. (Correct answer)
- An open field exposed to prevailing northwesterly winds.
Correct answer: A south-facing masonry wall that receives full sun.
A south-facing masonry wall absorbs solar radiation during the day and radiates the heat back at night, creating a warmer microclimate. [16, 12] This 'heat island' effect can protect less hardy plants. Low-lying areas are prone to frost pockets, north-side evergreen stands create shade and coolness, and exposure to winter winds increases cold stress. [16, 12]
Question 3: A geotechnical report for a project site indicates a high water table and layers of compressible organic soil. Which of the following is the most significant implication for the landscape architect's design?
- Plant selection will be limited to native species.
- The project will likely require specialized and costly foundation designs for structures and pavements. (Correct answer)
- The site will have excellent natural drainage for stormwater management.
- There will be no restrictions on the placement of heavy site amenities like large fountains or sculptures.
Correct answer: The project will likely require specialized and costly foundation designs for structures and pavements.
Geotechnical reports provide critical information about subsurface soil and water conditions to ensure structural safety and stability. [1, 5] Compressible organic soils have poor load-bearing capacity, and a high water table can further destabilize them. This combination necessitates specialized foundations (like piles or rafts) for any structures, walls, or pavements to prevent settlement and failure, which significantly impacts the project budget and design. [4, 6]
Question 4: During the site inventory for a property in a historic district, a landscape architect is required to pay special attention to legal and regulatory constraints. Which of the following items is a primary legal constraint that must be documented?
- The client's budget for the project.
- The location of desirable views from the property.
- Zoning ordinances, easements, and deed restrictions. (Correct answer)
- The seasonal sun and shade patterns across the site.
Correct answer: Zoning ordinances, easements, and deed restrictions.
Legal and regulatory constraints are a critical component of site inventory and analysis. [23, 27] Zoning ordinances dictate land use and building dimensions, easements grant specific rights to others across the property, and deed restrictions impose private limitations on land use. [25, 26] These are all legally binding and directly constrain the design possibilities.
Question 5: A landscape architect is designing a corporate campus and wants to create a comfortable outdoor plaza for employees. The site analysis reveals that the prevailing summer wind is from the southwest. To mitigate the wind's effect and create a sheltered space, which of the following is the most effective initial design strategy?
- Orient the plaza on the northeast side of the main building. (Correct answer)
- Install a large, open-bottomed pergola in the center of the plaza.
- Use light-colored paving materials to reflect solar radiation.
- Specify only low-growing groundcovers and herbaceous perennials.
Correct answer: Orient the plaza on the northeast side of the main building.
Site analysis includes understanding climatic factors like prevailing winds to inform design decisions that enhance human comfort. [2, 9] Placing the plaza on the leeward (northeast) side of a large building will use the structure itself as a windbreak, effectively sheltering the space from the southwesterly winds.
Question 6: Which of the following best distinguishes site analysis from site inventory?
- Site inventory involves fieldwork, while site analysis is purely office-based work using GIS.
- Site inventory is the process of creating the base map, while site analysis involves adding color and rendering.
- Site inventory is the documentation of existing conditions, while site analysis is the interpretation of those conditions to identify opportunities and constraints. (Correct answer)
- Site inventory focuses on natural systems, whereas site analysis focuses on cultural and man-made systems.
Correct answer: Site inventory is the documentation of existing conditions, while site analysis is the interpretation of those conditions to identify opportunities and constraints.
The core distinction is that site inventory is the data collection phase (listing what exists, e.g., topography, vegetation, utilities), while site analysis is the evaluative phase. [10, 17] Analysis involves synthesizing the inventoried data to understand relationships, identify problems, and find opportunities that will inform the design process. [10, 24]
