---
title: "Criteria for site selection"
subject: "Building Technology"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_6/building_technology:site-selection-criteria"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/site-selection-criteria
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Criteria for site selection

Building Technology · Chapter 1: Functional Requirements of Buildings

- Asked in: 2079 Chaitra, 4 marks
- Video: [Factors to be considered for Site Selection of Building|Important points for  before site selection](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjTWv5e-XQE) — Civillogy (Study of Civil Engineering)
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/site-selection-criteria
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/building_technology/chapter-1

## Question

Describe the criteria for site selection.

## Short answer

Site selection considers purpose, soil condition, topography, water table, services, environment, safety, shape, legal matters, economy.

## Answer

**Site selection** is the choice of a plot that is best suited for the purpose of the building, comfort, safety and economy. The main criteria are:

1. **Purpose and location**: Near the users, work, school, market and hospital (residential); near roads and customers (commercial); away from habitation (industry).
2. **Soil and ground condition**: Firm soil with good bearing capacity. Avoid black cotton soil, filled ground, marshy land, or slopes liable to slide.
3. **Topography and drainage**: Gently sloping land with natural drainage. Avoid low pockets that collect water, and land near flood plains.
4. **Water table**: Low water table, to avoid damp and costly foundation work.
5. **Services**: Road access, water supply, electricity, sewer, telephone and internet.
6. **Environment**: Fresh air, no smoke, noise or odour from industries, and pleasant surroundings; good sun and wind exposure.
7. **Safety**: Away from flood, landslide, fault lines and fire hazards; follow earthquake zoning in Nepal.
8. **Shape and size**: Regular plot with right area for setback, and the possibility of future extension.
9. **Legal matters**: Clear ownership, land use zone, bye-laws, setback, and permits from the municipality.
10. **Economy**: Land cost and the cost of development, and the availability of labour and materials.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which soil/ground should be avoided?
   A. Black cotton soil, filled ground, marshy land
   B. Firm soil with good bearing capacity
   C. Gently sloping land
   D. Regular plot
   Answer: A. Poor bearing or unstable ground increases foundation cost and risk. (Key point: Soil)

2. A low water table is preferred because
   A. It increases flooding
   B. It avoids damp and costly foundation work
   C. It gives more water
   D. It weakens soil
   Answer: B. A high water table causes dampness and expensive foundations. (Key point: Water table)

3. Which topography is best?
   A. Low pocket collecting water
   B. Near flood plain
   C. Gently sloping with natural drainage
   D. Steep landslide slope
   Answer: C. Natural drainage avoids waterlogging. (Key point: Topography)

4. Which legal matter must be checked?
   A. Only the colour of the soil
   B. Only the price
   C. Only the neighbour's name
   D. Ownership, land-use zone, bye-laws, setback, permits
   Answer: D. Clear ownership and municipal permits are needed. (Key point: Legal)

## Related in Building Technology

- [Lighting requirements and site selection](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Alighting-site-selection) — Building Technology, chapter 1
- [Foundation selection factors, excavation in wet areas](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aexcavation-selection-wet-080c) — Building Technology, chapter 2

## Related in other subjects

- [Influence of fault on site selection](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Ainfluence-of-fault-on-site) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 5
- [Geology in bridge site selection](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Abridge-site-selection) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 4, asked 6×
- [Geology in tunnel site selection](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Atunnel-site-selection) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 4, asked 4×
- [Substation site criteria and H-pole BOQ](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Findustrial_power_distribution_and_illumination%3Asubstation-site-boq-h-pole) — Industrial Power Distribution and Illumination, chapter 4