Design Checklist

[EWerb at aol.com]

Design Checklist
Date: Thu, 29 Jul 1999 20:42:15 +1000
From: "Rene and Lorraine van Raders" <rvraders at tpgi.com.au>
To: "permaculture" <permaculture at franklin.oit.unc.edu>
Newsgroups: permaculture

Hi all
Attached is a design checklist from Rene van Raders, through the perma 
newsgroup. Handy as a tool to implement permaculture design.  All we need to 
add is some thinkin and drinkin, and hippie hog heaven here we come.

THEMATIC CHECKLIST 
STEPS IN THE DESIGN PROCESS
    
            1. Observation          2. Site Analysis
            3. Brief                4. Draw Base Plan
            5. Concept          6. Layout Zones
            7. Earthworks           8. Structures
            9. Species Selection                10.Timelines
                    11. Costing                 12. Presentation
                    13. Implementation


1. OBSERVATION
Spend time noticing what is happening on site.  Use senses - listen, look, 
smell, touch, taste and feel.  Use intuition.  Make no lasting judgements - 
just notice - what are your impressions. Write it down.

2. SITE ANALYSIS
Map, boundaries, property size, neighbours (what's happening upstream, upwind 
and around), proximity to main roads, towns, cities, ports, industries etc 
(external resources).
Topography: from contour maps, mark valleys and ridges, determine slope 
gradients (keyline).
Aspect (orientation),  sun angles (including horizon points).
Wind: wind roses for area, damaging winds, desirable winds.
Climate: average rainfall and distribution, temperatures - max/min, storms, 
hail, frost, humidity, light, altitude.
Microclimates.
Soils & Geology: soil maps of area, agricultural studies,  soil types, 
analysis,  depth, drainage and absorption, stability of site.
Hydrology: drainage patterns, springs, creeks and streams, surface water, 
catchment - size & quality, flood levels, water reticulation.
Views: good, bad, where time will be spent (need to create views?)
Utilities: electricity, gas, town water, sewerage, telephone.
Council Activities: public transport, fire brigade, council rubbish 
collection, recycling, spraying?
Traffic and access - existing roads, farm roads, new roads required? 
frequency of traffic, heavy or light vehicles, pedestrian traffic.
Structures : house, shed, buildings.
Vegetation: flora, forests, exotic spp present, ground covers, poisonous 
plants, rare spp - state of health of all of the above.
Fauna: - native and exotic/introduced spp.  Local 'pest' species and 
creatures causing fear (snakes, spiders, green ants etc).
History: logged, cropped, pasture, sprayed, farm dump sites (talk to locals, 
study old books/maps/photos).  Aboriginal history. Landmark disasters (what 
years).
Rules and Regulations: Council constraints (and other govt agencies): zoning, 
permission of land use, water use, easements.
Future plans for the area: subdivisions planned, industry, tourism
Problems and hazards: fire, flood, contamination, noise/air/visual pollution
Potentials and assets: waterfalls, suitable windmill/hydraulic ram sites, 
views, rock outcrops, historic value etc
Resources in neighbourhood: sugar mills, sawmills, factories, hospitals, 
schools, shops, firestations, dump, free plant & seed sources,  sand gravel, 
timber, mulch, water, fodder, clay, stone, machinery
Imports/Exports: Food, building materials, fossil fuels, mulch, rubbish etc

IDENTIFY AREAS OF FURTHER RESEARCH.

3. BRIEF for all people living on site.  (talk to them separately if 
possible, do it on the property)
Name and age of client. Ownership details. Address of property.
Names and ages of all other residents showing relationship to client.
Occupations: of all people on site.           Pets: 
Needs: Food requirements, shelter, etc.  Dreams: Everyones' wish list.
Future plans: Goals for life/property. 
Lifestyle: Likes, dislikes, values.  How is each person's time 
spent?Financial budget: What money do you have to work with?  
Personal resources: Everyones' skills, knowledge, information resources, 
hobbies, health.
Community contacts: Friends, acquaintances, organisation memberships.
Favourite foods/species:  fruits, meats, veges, flowers.

4. Draw Base Plan
Put your observations and findings on paper.  Your basemap should contain 
everything existing on property.  Remember to mark north, and put everything 
to scale.   Using overlays here and in the later stages can be very useful. 

5. Concept
What is your client wanting to achieve?  Do they want to make money out of 
their property?  Do they want to be more self-reliant/ethical/environmentally 
friendly?  Why do they want a permaculture design carried out?  The more 
general the concept the better - commercial orchard rather than mangos; some 
form of income rather than a commercial orchard.

6. Layout Zones
Set out approximate areas of activity. The overall pattern. Remember zones 
farthest away get the least attention. 

7. Earthworks
Draw in and schedule any earthworks to be done i.e. house excavations, dams, 
earth banks, swales, drains etc.

8. Structures
Plan location of the structures wanted - mark out all intended structures so 
site can be designed accordingly (even if they are in the long-term plan).

9. Species Selection
Plan location for vegetation and animals, taking into account likes and 
dislikes of clients and reasons for including each species.  Remember to plan 
for mature size of plants (plant sacrificial species to fill gaps until that 
time).

10. Timelines
Schedule events.  Remember to take into account seasons, budget, personpower, 
plant growth etc.  Specific short term plans and general long term plans.  

11. Costing
The client will need an estimate to suit their financial situation.  Work 
within their means.

12. Presentation
This is an important time.  If you have listened to and followed the 
directions of your client, they will have a management plan that they feel 
motivated to (and can easily) follow.  Remember this is their property - not 
yours (unless of course it is yours!) and it must suit the people who live 
there if it is going to be completed.  The more detail and direction you can 
give them, the more likely it is the design will succeed, but the plan must 
be flexible.  Make sure the client understands the principles behind the 
design, so that appropriate modifications can be made. Depending on the 
situation, your presentation can be as professional or as casual as your 
client requires - tailor it to them.
And now comes implementation! Well done!