EGS 2213

ANESU A CHAPUNZA
G0201749P

ASSIGNMENT 1

g0201749p@students.gsu.ac.zw

HP

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

EGS 2213
belida mbabvu@gsu.ac.zw

1O JULY
QUESTION 1
Describe how the knowledge of the following concepts could be used by
a cadastral surveyor in shaping the built environment.
1. Remote Sensing
Remote sensing is the process of detecting and monitoring the
physical characteristics of an area by measuring its reflected and
emitted radiation at a distance (typically from satellite or aircraft).
Given the high spatial and temporal resolution and coverage,
remote sensing can supply relevant base data to support the
development, shaping, measuring and monitoring of built
environment at different scales. Remote sensing not only provides
2D, but also 3D information that allows analyzing vertical
conditions. Furthermore, remote sensing data cover historic time
spans to analyze temporal dynamics and therefore support
simulations and scenario building. Moreover, remote sensing data
are becoming more widely available and accessible. Contributions
include, but are not limited to, the following:
 Urban land consumption rates, open spaces, green spaces,
built-up densities and their temporal dynamics, e.g.,
supporting urban green and open space planning.
 Urban growth and land use patterns and changes and the
interaction with urban infrastructure provision, e.g.,
supporting urban land use planning.
These two are very important to how the built environment is
shaped.
2. Geographic Information System
A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer system for
capturing, storing, checking, and displaying data related to
 positions on Earth’s surface. GIS technology can be exploited to
provide key facility information for decision makers when they
need it. It is used to answer questions regarding the best manner to
develop and manage the built environment. This ability is largely a
result of the relational database technology underlying it, as well as
the capacity for GIS to identify spatially related objects. Spatial
relationships allow GIS to merge different worlds of knowledge. It
is significant and powerful because it unearths and exposes related
patterns that would otherwise go undiscovered. It is a powerful
system and enabling technology for shaping and managing the
built environment.

3. Cartography
Cartography is the creation and the study of maps and charts. ,
application of relevant software based on cartography has been
widely used for assessment and characterization of ocean and land
surface. Presently, applications of cartography have been widely
used to develop various types of maps for accident analysis, urban
planning, road mapping and environmental impact analysis. It is
also helpful to visualize the landslide hazard zones, land use, flood
damage, agricultural area, and geology. Cartography technique
also helpful to demonstrate the flooded area, forest cover,
irrigational land and water bodies that will provide a platform for
the better implementation of adaptive management plan in future
prospective.
4. Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry refers to the process of taking measurements from
photos, by analyzing the surface points of an object. Once the
measurements of a series of overlapping images are taken,
computer software is used to stitch the images together, not just as
 a 2D image, but also as a 3D model. Photogrammetry has become
a much sought-after surveying and mapping technique that is used
for site planning, topographic mapping, earthwork volume
estimation and image-based mapping to name a few. Reliable
information about physical objects and the complete environment
is taken into account. Terrestrial and aerial photographs are taken
and then recorded, measured and evaluated. All this information is
necessary to ensure good shaping of environment.

5. Energy efficient buildings

Energy efficient buildings involves constructing or upgrading
buildings that are able to get the most work out of the energy that
is supplied to them by taking steps to reduce energy loss such as
decreasing the loss of heat through the building envelope. Energy
efficient buildings, whether they are renovated to be more efficient
or a built with energy efficiency in mind, pose a significant number
of benefits. Energy efficient buildings are less expensive to
operate, more comfortable to live in, and more environmentally
friendly. The way the built environment uses energy determines
what happens to the environment in the near future and the shape it
takes. Having an energy efficient building is becoming more and
more vital as energy emerges as a critical economic issue due to
high demand for energy and unsustainable supplies of energy and
causing change in the shape of built environment.

QUESTION 2
Examine the components of the following spatial planning
frameworks:
a) Regional plan
 Regional vision. A fundamental part of completing a
regional plan is to craft a vision that represents the
hopes and dreams of community members. The
vision will enable communities to identify their
assets, unique attributes and goals for the future and
transform that knowledge into actions that will build
the future that is envisioned by communities.
 Land Use. Regional needs and interests guides the
way land is going to be used. It includes land
conservation and improvement of land in current
use. It includes scenario planning which attempts to
show various possibilities for the future based on
decisions that are made today. The result of scenario
analysis is a presentation of possible futures, all of
which are plausible, that allows for exploration of
implementation alternatives.
 Housing. Outlines various techniques through which
communities can contribute to affordable housing
development or preservation. Anyone in the region
seeking a home should have the same likelihood of
obtaining a residence without any discriminatory
behavior toward them. Everyone should have an
equal opportunity to the housing options in areas
which have public transportation, good schools, and
accessibility to jobs.
 Transportation. Through the regional planning
process transportation should focus on advancing
regional transportation planning and the
development of transportation networks including
 the expansion of transportation choices, including
quality bus service, light rail, regional rail,
ridesharing, express bus lanes, shuttle services,
complete streets, bicycle and pedestrian pathways,
and programs that offer alternatives to driving alone,
such as rideshare or public transit incentives.
 Economic Development. Connecting jobs, homes,
grocery stores, and community spaces can help to
stimulate the economy within the region. Vacant
properties and underused commercial space can be
reused in new and creative ways in order to fully
utilize the resources available to the region.
 Natural Resources. The plan includes water
resources protection plans, wildlife habitat
conservation and all other state wide resources
protection.
 Cultural Resources. Our historic and cultural assets
are of such great value to the state that guidance for
their preservation was established in State law when
a Division of Historical Resources was created in
1974. Cultural and historic resources include
physical assets such as archaeology, geography,
architecture and intangible assets such as folklore,
traditional crafts, fine arts and music specific to a
local region.
 Utilities, Infrastructure, and Public Services. The
infrastructure throughout the region will be
examined to determine if the current systems can
support the communities that they are designed for.
The term infrastructure means drinking water
 treatment plants, sewer lines, drinking water
distribution lines, water storage facilities, electricity
supply lines, roads, supermarkets etc. All these
should be included in region plan to ensure
protection of public health and the environment.
 Natural Hazards and Adaptation. Natural and human
made hazards occur in every municipality. When
municipalities identify recurring hazards, they can
mitigate or eliminate future hazard incidences. This
is included in regional plan to ensure adaptation and
growth of region.

b) Master Plan
 Goals and Policies .The desires and wishes of the
community about what kind of place it wants to
be and how it wants to improve its quality of life.
Looks at the direction the community wants to
head in. Should be developed at the beginning of
the process with public input.
 Land Use. Looks at the pattern of land use in the
community, including public and private land,
and protected lands. Projects the full build-out
condition to assess the need for redirection of
future land use. Identifies ideal areas for
development to meet future needs as determined
by the other plan components.
 Housing. Considers the pattern of residential
development in determining what types of
housing stock is needed and where it might best
 be constructed in the future. Assesses the local
and regional area to determine how future market
forces may influence the development and
affordability of housing in the community.
 Economic Development. Determines the
strengths and weaknesses of the labor force and
market sectors in the local economy in planning
for new business and development. Looks at other
businesses and industry location factors in
identifying improvements to be made to stimulate
desired economic development.
 Natural Resources. Identifies land and water
resources and cultural and historic resources
whose preservation is important in maintaining
natural resources and the character of the
community. Develop strategies to protect and
manage the natural and historic resources that
enhance the attractiveness of the town.
 Open Space and Recreation. Assesses the future
recreational needs of the community in planning
for the maintenance and expansion of existing
areas, and the construction of new facilities.
Recommends techniques to better protect and
manage the current open space network and
identifies future land acquisitions to meet active
and passive recreational demand.
 Service and Facilities. Identifies the availability
and status of public services, including education,
public safety, water and sewer, energy, and other
utilities. Looks at future growth and calculates the
 increased need for the provision of municipal
services and facilities in planning for their
expansion. Investigates the current delivery of
municipal services and identifies best
management practices and costefficient
techniques to be implemented.
 Transportation and Circulation. Identifies existing
and potential roadway problems by looking at
circulation and parking patterns, developing
strategies for improvement. Identifies available
alternative transportation options and considers
how their future development may help alleviate
congestion.
 Implementation. Suggests strategies to be
accomplished by the town to achieve the goals the
community set forth at the beginning of the
planning process taking into consideration what
the community has and what it desires. Describes
available funding sources and technical assistance
to help the community put parts of the plan into
practice. May include recommendations for
zoning amendments, identification of responsible
parties (including different municipal boards or
departments), and priorities.
c) Local Development Plan
 The municipal council's vision for the long term
development of the municipality with special
emphasis on the municipality's most critical
development and internal transformation needs.
 An assessment of the existing level of development
in the municipality, which must include an
identification of communities which do not have
access to basic municipal services.
 The council's development priorities and objectives
for its elected term, including its local economic
development aims and its internal transformation
needs.
 The council's development strategies which must be
aligned with any national or provincial sectorial
plans and planning requirements binding on the
municipality in terms of legislation.
 A spatial development framework which must
include the provision of basic guidelines for a land
use management system for the municipality;
 The council's operational strategies.
 Applicable disaster management plans.
 A financial plan, which must include a budget
projection for at least the next three years.