University Bulletin
Undergraduate Degree Programs
C E 410W
Sustainable Residential Subdivision Design (3) Residential subdivision process; site selection; conservation and neo- traditional design; utility design and layout; best management practices for erosion and stormwater.
C E 410W Sustainable Residential Subdivision Design (3)
The course is designed for seniors and graduate students in Architectural and Civil Engineering interested in learning the principles of sustainable residential design and development. The course is typically offered one semester each year. The objective of this course is to provide the students with a working example of the residential land development process from a regional perspective.
The course provides an overview of zoning legislation and regulations followed by an analysis of market trends and information sources. Conservation and neo-traditional design techniques emphasize sustainable development principles for maximizing profits while complying with open space zoning. Access design principles focus on traffic calming strategies and development of a well-defined transportation hierarchy. Students are introduced to key components in utility design including the basic principles of water and wastewater transport. Best management practices for erosion control and stormwater management are reviewed and included as part of the residential design process. Finally the students are asked to use realistic data to estimate costs and profit margins for development.
To work effectively in residential design, students must be proficient in applying the principles of mathematics, economics and engineering software (CAD or similar) included in accredited programs of engineering. Students will be exposed to engineering/design calculations associated with each of the phases of residential land development. Technical Release 55, the stormwater management design manual, and the BMP Handbook for erosion control and stormwater management supplement the text. The CAD lab will be utilized for approximately 25% of the class.
At the completion of the class, students will present a written project narrative and an oral presentation describing a full-scale residential development designed by the project team. This project is open ended and includes at a minimum a market analysis, engineering calculations, a cost estimate, and a full set of engineering drawings which include, soils, contours, open spaces, lot boundaries, roads, utilities and stormwater control systems details. Five preliminary mini-reports will be written and submitted over the course of the semester. These reports will be evaluated by the instructor for both content and professional writing, and returned to students. Students will be encouraged to consult with the instructor for additional feedback. The reports will be revised and incorporated into the final report. In addition to the team development project, students will receive a mid-term and final exam.
Note : Class size, frequency of offering, and evaluation methods will vary by location and instructor. For these details check the specific course syllabus.