APR - Comprehensive Planning Review

COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING REVIEW

By Andro Madrogaba, UAP, MA - APR Review Center

What Usually Comes Up

Covers principles and methods of site analysis, site development, and landscape design, including topography, drainage, circulation, environmental factors, and integration of built and natural elements. Emphasis is placed on functional planning, aesthetics, sustainability, and compliance with relevant codes and standards.

Site Planning and Landscape Architecture

Urban Design and Community Architecture

Focuses on the physical design of towns, cities, and urban spaces, addressing streets, public spaces, blocks, and urban form. Topics include spatial organization, walkability, placemaking, urban morphology, and the relationship between buildings and public realm at the neighborhood and district scale.

What Usually Comes Up

Deals with planning theories, policies, and tools for guiding land use and development at the city, municipal, and regional levels. Coverage includes land use planning, zoning, infrastructure planning, environmental planning, socio economic considerations, and planning processes such as CLUP preparation.

Urban
and Regional Planning

Human
Settlements Planning

Examines planning and design approaches for residential environments and communities, including housing types, site planning for subdivisions and socialized housing, community facilities, and basic services. Emphasis is given to livability, accessibility, sustainability, and inclusive planning for diverse population groups.

Site Planning

Site planning is the art and science of arranging structures on the land and shaping the spaces between them, linking architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, and city planning to organize uses of land in space and time. (Lynch & Hack, 1996)

Site planning is the art of arranging structures on the land and shaping the spaces between them; its aim is to create places that enhance everyday life and give inhabitants a meaningful sense of the environment. (Lynch, 1972)

Definitions

Factors to Consider in Site Planning

Topography and Landform — influences drainage, grading, and layout feasibility.
Soils and Hydrology — affects foundation choices and stormwater management.
Climate — informs building orientation, sun exposure, and wind patterns.
Vegetation and Natural Features — preserved or integrated into design when possible.
Access and Circulation — vehicular and pedestrian movement patterns.
Utilities and Infrastructure — availability of water, sewer, power, and communications.
Regulatory Constraints — zoning, setbacks, easements, and building codes.
Surrounding Context — adjacent land uses, character, and community needs.

Core Concepts in Site Planning

Site Analysis

Site analysis is the systematic study and evaluation of a site’s physical, environmental, regulatory, and contextual conditions to inform design decisions.

Considering Three Main Factors:
1. Physical and Natural Factors: refer to the physical and environmental characteristics of the site. It includes topography, soil, hydrology, vegetation, climate, and other ecological conditions.
2. Cultural Factors: relate to human influences and social context. This includes existing land uses, historical or heritage elements, community patterns, etc.
3. Aesthetic Factors: focus on the visual and experiential qualities of the site. This covers views, vistas, visual harmony, spatial composition, and sensory experiences.

Common Site Analysis Tools

Topographic and Contour Maps: Used to understand slopes, elevation changes, drainage patterns, and grading implications.
Climate Analysis Diagrams: Includes sun path diagrams, wind roses, and shading studies to evaluate environmental comfort and energy performance.
Context and Land Use Maps: Show surrounding building uses, densities, access points, and circulation networks.
Overlay Analysis Technique: Multiple analytical layers are superimposed to identify relationships between factors, a method commonly used in both site planning and urban planning practice.

Core Concepts in Site Planning

Site Development

Site development is the process of transforming the analyzed site into a functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing environment.

Elements of a Site Development Plan
Land Use: Allocation of buildings, open spaces, parking, and recreation areas

Circulation: Vehicular and pedestrian pathways, driveways, and access points

Utilities and Infrastructure: Water, drainage, sewer, electricity, and telecommunication lines

Landscaping and Open Spaces: Gardens, lawns, plazas, and preserved natural features

Safety and Accessibility: Compliance with regulations, setbacks, and accessible routes

Environmental Considerations: Sustainable design, stormwater management, and preservation of natural elements

Core Concepts in Site Planning

Landscape Architecture

Landscape architecture is the profession and practice of designing, planning, and managing outdoor spaces, combining art, ecology, and engineering to create functional, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing environments (American Society of Landscape Architects, 2020). It involves shaping land, vegetation, water, and built elements to enhance the quality of human experience while responding to ecological and cultural context.

Core Concepts and Principles

Hardscape vs Softscape: Hardscape refers to man-made elements like pavements, walls, and benches; Softscape refers to living elements like plants, trees, and lawns.

Spatial Organization: Planning circulation paths, open spaces, and functional zones for smooth flow and usability.

Ecological Considerations: Preservation of natural features, water management, and sustainability practices.

Visual and Sensory Experience: Creating pleasing views, focal points, textures, colors, and sensory interactions.

Integration with Architecture: Ensuring harmony between buildings and surrounding landscape.

Human-Centered Design: Providing spaces for recreation, rest, social interaction, and accessibility.

Core Concepts in Site Planning

Multiple Choice

Landscape architecture primarily deals with:

• Interior design of buildings

• Urban and rural outdoor spaces

• Engineering of skyscrapers

• Architectural theory

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a natural factor in site analysis?

• Local demographic profile
• Soil bearing capacity
• Community traditions
• Street lighting design
• Local festivals schedule

Multiple Choice

What is a brownfield?

• Abandoned industrial sites

• Newly developed areas

• Protected natural reserves

• Urban parks

Multiple Choice

In the Site Planning Process, ________ defines the project’s objectives and functional requirements, including the proposed activities, area allocated for each activity, and the functional or spatial relationships among those activities

• Site analysis

• Site inventories

• Site selection

• Programming

Multiple Choice

Following are related to landscape architecture except

• The arrangement of natural and man-made elements

• The application of cultural and scientific knowledge

• The art of design, planning, or management of the building

• The resultant environment serves useful and enjoyable purpose

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a component of site planning?

• Land use allocation

• Traffic circulation

• Building structural design

• Environmental impact assessment

Multiple Choice

Use of elevation contour lines to show the shape of the ground surface

• World Map

• Topographic Map

• Cadastral Map

• Navigation Chart

Multiple Choice

This addresses the visual, audible and tactile aspects of the site

• Sensory

• Location

• Natural Features

• Man made features

Multiple Choice

The following site attributes are collected during site inventory

• Physical, biological and cultural attributes

• Ecological, Social and Economic Attributes

• Hazards, constraints and nuisances

• Legal, organizational and institutional attributes

Multiple Choice

During site inventory, we also check for ____________ vis-a-vis physical, biological, and cultural attributes that may influence site selection and or limit site development

• Physical, biological and cultural attributes

• Ecological, Social and Economic Attributes

• Hazards, constraints and nuisances

• Legal, organizational and institutional attributes

Urban Design

Urban design is the discipline that focuses on the arrangement, appearance, and functionality of towns, cities, and urban spaces. It deals with the design of streets, public spaces, blocks, and neighborhoods, integrating architecture, landscape, and infrastructure to create cohesive, accessible, and vibrant urban environments (Carmona et al., 2010).

Key Elements of Urban Design

Streets and Circulation: Layout of roads, pedestrian paths, and transport networks for accessibility and connectivity

Public Spaces: Plazas, parks, squares, and gathering areas that foster social interaction

Buildings and Blocks: Placement, scale, and form of buildings to define urban character

Land Use and Zoning: Functional organization of residential, commercial, and institutional areas

Edges and Boundaries: Definition of streetscapes, waterfronts, and transitions between urban spaces

Visual and Environmental Quality: Aesthetics, views, sunlight access, and microclimate considerations

Core Concepts in Urban Design and Community Architecture

Urban Design History

Urban design has evolved alongside human settlements, reflecting changes in society, technology, and culture. The history of cities highlights how people have organized space to meet social, economic, and environmental needs.

Key Milestones in the History of Cities and Urban Design

Ancient Cities: Cities like Mesopotamia, Mohenjo-Daro, and Athens were planned with streets, markets, and public spaces to support trade, religion, and governance.

Medieval Cities: Narrow, irregular streets with walls for defense; emphasis on community clustering and functional organization.

Renaissance and Baroque Cities: Geometry, symmetry, and monumental streets; planning reflected aesthetics, hierarchy, and power (e.g., Rome, Paris).

Industrial Era Cities: Rapid urbanization, grid layouts, infrastructure challenges, and emergence of zoning to manage density.

Modern and Contemporary Urban Design: Focus on functionality, accessibility, social equity, sustainability, and public realm quality; inclusion of green spaces, mixed-use neighborhoods, and human-centered design.

Core Concepts in Urban Design and Community Architecture

Core Theories

Core Concepts in Urban Design and Community Architecture

Elements of a City – Kevin Lynch (1960): Paths, edges, districts, nodes, landmarks; focus on legibility and wayfinding.

Responsive Environments – Ian Bentley et al. (1985):
Urban spaces respond to human activity, perception, and behavior; imageability and human scale.

Urban Morphology – Mumford & Conzen (1960s–70s):
Study of form, structure, and evolution of urban areas; street patterns and building types.

Human-Centered Design / Place-Making – Jan Gehl (1970s–2000s):
Focus on pedestrian experience, social interaction, walkable streets, and vibrant public spaces.

New Urbanism / Smart Growth – Duany & Plater-Zyberk (1980s–90s):
Mixed-use, compact, connected neighborhoods; sustainability and community cohesion.

The Death and Life of Great American Cities – Jane Jacobs (1961):
Diversity, mixed uses, active street life; critique of top-down planning.

Space Syntax Theory – Hillier & Hanson (1984):
Analyzes spatial connectivity and movement patterns to predict human flow.

Imageability & Mental Maps – Kevin Lynch (1960):
How people perceive and navigate cities; use of memorable landmarks and coherent districts.

Multiple Choice

The earliest settlement in Israel

• khirokitia

• eridu

• jericho

• damascus

Multiple Choice

Khirokitia was the earliest settlement in _____.

• japan

• china

• cyprus

• turkey

Multiple Choice

It refers to the physical and spatial structure of a city including street patterns, block sizes, building types and open spaces.

• Urban fabric
• Urban block
• Urban sprawl
• Urban renewal
• Urban heat island

Multiple Choice

It refers to publicly accessible spaces such as streets, plazas, parks and other open spaces where social interaction takes place.

• Private realm
• Public realm
• Mixed-use space
• Service yard
• Back alley

Multiple Choice

It refers to the ease of movement and connectivity through the urban layout for people and vehicles.

• Continuity
• Permeability
• Density
• Legibility
• Activation

Multiple Choice

This term denotes design dimensions and proportions that relate to human body size and experience in the built environment.

• Macro-scale
• Human scale
• Mega-form
• Urban scale
• Supra-scale

Multiple Choice

It is the study of the form and shape of settlements, how they evolve and their spatial structure.

• Urban typology
• Urban morphology
• Urban dynamics
• Urban scale
• Urban density

Multiple Choice

It denotes the urban condition where hard surfaces absorb and retain heat, making built-up areas warmer than surroundings.

• Thermal island
• Urban heat island
• Street canyon effect
• Solar canyon
• Concrete trap

Multiple Choice

This element involves the routes and channels of movement including streets, paths, sidewalks and transit lines that link parts of a city.

• Urban fabric
• Paths
• Landscape component
• Node
• Edge

Multiple Choice

What term describes the vegetation, trees, water features and green/blue spaces that knit through urban areas and soften the built fabric?

• Urban block
• Transport system
• Landscape / green infrastructure
• Street network
• Building typology

Multiple Choice

The distinct areas or neighborhoods within a city that have identity and character are called which element?

• District
• Pathway
• Edge
• Marker
• Urban fabric

Multiple Choice

This early 20th-century plan (1909) for ‎Chicago is often considered one of the first comprehensive modern city plans in the U.S.

• Plan of Cincinnati
• Chicago Plan
• Burnham Plan
• Regional Plan
• Civic Plan

Multiple Choice

A 19th-century plan for ‎Berlin (1862) known for creating ring roads, wide avenues and dense block-structures is known as the ___.

• Haussmann Plan
• Hobrecht Plan
• Cerdà Plan
• Burnham Plan
• Georges Plan

Urban Planning

Urban planning (also called city planning or town planning in some contexts) is the process of developing and designing land use and the built environment, including air, water, and the infrastructure passing into and out of urban areas, such as transportation, communications, and distribution networks, and their accessibility.

As Defined by RA 10587 (EnP Act of 2013)

Environmental planning, also known as urban and regional planning, city planning, town and country planning, and/or human settlements planning, refers to the multi-disciplinary art and science of analyzing, specifying, clarifying, harmonizing, managing and regulating the use and development of land and water resources, in relation to their environs, for the development of sustainable communities and ecosystems.

Environmental planner refers to a person who is registered and licensed to practice environmental planning and who holds a valid Certificate of Registration and a valid Professional Identification Card from the Board of Environmental Planning and the Professional Regulation Commission.

Core Concepts in Urban and Regional Planning

Local Planning Structure

Core Concepts in Urban and Regional Planning

Local Planning Structure in the Philippines is anchored through pertinent planning documents.

Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) as the spatial framework.
Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) as the multisectoral plan.
Zoning Ordinance (ZO) as main implementation instrument.
Local Development Investment (LDIP) and Annual Investment Plan (AIP) as implementation tools mapping the project, programs, and activities to LGU resources.

Multiple Choice

In the CLUP Review and Approval process outlined in Volume 1, this body or instrument is responsible for reviewing and ratifying the CLUPs of provinces, HUCs and independent component cities under HLURB guidelines.

• Local Development Council (LDC)
• Provincial Land Use Committee (PLUC)
• Regional Land Use Committee (RLUC) / HLURB
• Sanggunian Municipal Council
• National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)

Multiple Choice

This part of the CLUP process involves translating the vision, goals and objectives into a map of land-use categories, identifying required land, supply and designing the basic land-use scheme.

• Step 5: Develop Structure & Concept Plan
• Step 6: Formulate Spatial Strategy
• Step 7: Prepare Land-Use Plan
• Step 8: Prepare Zoning & Implementation Tools
• Step 10: Review and Approval

Multiple Choice

When designing the planning period for a CLUP, the Guidebook recommends that LGUs generally adopt a planning horizon of this many years (though flexible depending on scale).

• 3 years
• 6 years
• 10 years
• 20 years
• 30 years

Multiple Choice

It is the legal instrument enacted by the LGU to regulate permissible land uses, building heights, densities, setbacks, etc., in accordance with the CLUP’s land use map.

• Zoning Ordinance
• CDP
• AIP
• LDIP
• CLUP

Multiple Choice

This plan covers the broader region or province linking local objectives to national or regional development policy, and often serves as a vertical influence on city/municipal planning documents.

• Provincial Development Investment Program (PDIP)
• Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP)
• Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP)
• Zoning Ordinance
• Local Development Investment Program (LDIP)

Multiple Choice

It refers to the “annual slice” of the Local Development Investment Program which constitutes the proposed PPAs for inclusion in the annual budget of the LGU.

• CLUP
• AIP
• CDP
• Zoning Ordinance
• LDIP

Multiple Choice

In the context of Philippine urban policy, why is public participation considered important in the planning process?

• It speeds up zoning approvals only
• It is optional in all LGUs
• It helps ensure plans reflect community needs, improves legitimacy, and supports inclusive development
• It replaces the need for data
• It is required only for private sector projects

Multiple Choice

In Philippine urban planning practice, what is a common tool or step used in CLUP formulation where the LGU engages stakeholders, surveys the existing conditions, identifies issues and sets a vision?

• Building permit issuance
• Visioning workshop / Situation analysis
• Zoning enforcement only
• Public-private partnership only
• Sectoral plan drafting only

Multiple Choice

Which national agency is responsible for prescribing standards, guidelines and oversight for land-use planning and zoning in the Philippines under its implementing rules and regulations (IRR)?

• Department of Education
• Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD)
• Department of Trade
• Department of Tourism
• Department of Agriculture

Multiple Choice

A theoretical orientation that argues for small-scale developers, local agents, and incremental builds as opposed to large developers and one-time large-scale projects.

• Mega-developer Urbanism
• Institutional Urbanism
• Incremental Development
• Master-plan Urbanism
• Speculative Urbanism

Human Settlements Planning

Human settlements planning refers to the physical organization and management of spaces where people live and interact, encompassing both rural and urban
areas.

It involves the design and organization of communities to ensure safety, security, and well-being, considering factors such as land use, resource distribution, and community needs. The goal is to create environments that promote social cohesion, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

Core Concepts in Human Settlements Planning

Housing

In human settlement planning, housing refers to the physical spaces where people live and interact, encompassing various types of settlements such as rural, urban, and suburban.

As a System
It is a system that includes various components, such as housing production, tenure, and market dynamics, which interact to influence housing demand and supply.

RA 9279: Urban Development and Housing Act

RA 7279, also known as the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, is a law that provides a comprehensive and continuing program for urban development and housing, with particular focus on addressing the needs of underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban areas.

Key Objectives of RA 7279

~Provide decent housing at affordable cost to underprivileged and homeless citizens

~Promote equitable land use in urban and urbanizable areas

~Encourage balanced urban development and reduce urban congestion

~Strengthen the role of LGUs in urban development and housing delivery

Core Concepts in Human Settlements Planning

Key Provisions
~Prioritizes underprivileged and homeless citizens as primary beneficiaries of government housing programs

~Mandates the provision of socialized housing at affordable cost and in suitable, accessible locations

~Requires LGUs to identify, inventory, and allocate lands for socialized housing within their jurisdictions

~Promotes balanced housing development by requiring private developers to contribute to socialized housing programs

~Authorizes the acquisition of idle, underutilized, or government owned lands for housing purposes

~Encourages participation of the private sector, NGOs, and people’s organizations through incentives and partnerships

~Establishes safeguards for eviction and demolition, including due process, consultation, and adequate relocation

Core Theories

Core Concepts in Human Settlements Planning

Human Settlement

A place where people live, work, and interact, including housing, services, infrastructure, and the surrounding environment.

Housing Unit

A structurally separate and independent place of abode intended for habitation by a single household.

Household

A person or group of persons who usually live together in the same housing unit and share common arrangements for food and basic living needs.

Dwelling

A building or part of a building used or intended to be used as a residence, which may contain one or more housing units.

Residential Density

The number of housing units or households within a given land area, commonly expressed as units per hectare.

Tenure

The legal or customary arrangement under which a household occupies a housing unit, such as ownership, rental, or informal occupancy.

Informal Settlement

A residential area where housing units are constructed without secure land tenure, often lacking basic services and formal planning approval.

Slum

A highly congested urban area characterized by substandard housing, poor sanitation, and inadequate access to basic services.

Land Use

The designated function of a parcel of land, such as residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, or open space.

Multiple Choice

It refers to housing in which the occupant owns the unit outright or through mortgage, rather than renting.

• Rental housing
• Social housing
• Owner-occupied housing
• Cooperative housing
• Shared-ownership housing

Multiple Choice

It refers to smaller housing units added to an existing residential lot, such as a basement apartment, garage conversion, or backyard cottage.

• Accessory dwelling unit (ADU)
• Townhouse
• Duplex
• Apartment building
• Tiny house

Multiple Choice

It refers to housing that is built on previously developed land (often inner‐city or built-up areas) rather than on undeveloped “greenfield” land.

• Greenfield housing
• Infill housing
• Suburban housing
• Peripheral housing
• Exurban housing

Multiple Choice

It refers to housing that is publicly owned or subsidised and provided to low‐income households, often called social housing.

• Market housing
• Social housing
• Luxury housing
• Speculative housing
• Private rental housing

Multiple Choice

This concept in the Code means the transfer of responsibilities, functions and resources from the national government to LGUs to enhance local governance.

• Privatization
• Devolution
• Federalisation
• Delegation only
• Centralization

Multiple Choice

The post-World War II period in the Philippines was characterised by a major housing crisis and reconstruction efforts. The newly created government agency tasked with affordable housing in that period was the:

• National Housing Authority (NHA)
• People’s Homesite & Housing Corporation (PHHC)
• Social Housing Finance Corporation
• Pag-IBIG Fund
• Housing & Land Use Regulatory Board

Multiple Choice

During the American colonial period, a house type emphasising horizontal layout, carports/garages, concrete walls and modern fixtures became common. This type is known as:

• Bahay na Bato
• Bahay Kubo
• Tsalet
• Bungalow
• Villa

Multiple Choice

A major housing program in the Philippines that helps low-income communities procure land, infrastructure and houses through community associations is the:

• Balanced Housing Program
• Community Mortgage Program (CMP)
• Socialised Housing Scheme
• Low-Cost Housing Initiative
• Urban Land Reform Package

Multiple Choice

The architectural style that reflects the sanitary-barrio concept (with inside bathroom/kitchen, private garage) in mid-20th century Philippine housing is called:

• Bahay Kubo
• Bahay na Bato
• Tsalet
• Villa
• Apartment block

Multiple Choice

The Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 (RA 7279) in the Philippines marked a shift in housing policy towards which approach?

• Fully state-built housing only
• Private sector disengagement
• Enabling/inclusionary approach and urban poor security of tenure
• Cooperative housing only
• Gated community development