Research Guides: Site Planning and Design: ARC 526, END 426, URP 526: Library Resources: Architecture, Maps, Environment, etc.

Architecture, Design, Landscapes, Sustainable Building

BuildingGreen
BuildingGreen helps architects, designers and other sustainability professionals make their projects greener and healthier. More Info
Full-Text UB ONLY
Detail Inspiration
DETAIL Inspiration is an online image and reference database for architects in English and German. More Info
Full-Text UB ONLY
OneSearch
OneSearch is your ultimate companion for navigating the vast universe of information within the library's collections, including UB, SUNY, and CUNY materials. OneSearch consolidates your research searching needs into a single, user-friendly interface; whether you seek scholarly articles, literary works, authoritative databases, or other academic resources, OneSearch is your one-stop destination. More Info

UB ONLY
OnArchitecture
Selection of original content featuring the best architecture in the world. More Info
UB ONLY
PolicyMap
Web-based data and mapping tool for United States demographics. More Info
UB ONLY

Newspapers

Business First of Buffalo
Provides coverage of business, finance, and economic topics. More Info
Full-Text UB ONLY
Buffalo News Collection
Full-text searchable access to the Buffalo News from 1880 to the present day.More Info
Full-Text UB ONLY
Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers
Digitized images of America's historical newspapers. More Info
Full-Text PUBLIC
Newspaper Source Plus
Full-text newspapers, newswires, TV/radio transcripts. More Info
Full-Text UB ONLY
Ethnic NewsWatch
American ethnic press. More Info
Full-Text UB ONLY

Data/Census

Social Explorer
Demographic information about the United States including historical data back to 1790. More Info
Data UB ONLY

Looking for government information:

Google search: site.gov topic

example: site.gov alternative modes of transportation or site.gov regulations construction
-will result in government websites that have these keywords

Environment

GreenFILE
Covers all aspects of human impact on the environment. More Info
Partial Full-Text UB ONLY
Environmental Studies (Gale In Context)
Coverage of environmental research, issues, policy, and decision-making in the form of full text journal articles, news stories, interactive maps, statistical data, refereed case studies, podcasts, and more. More Info

Full-Text UB ONLY
Environment Complete
Deep coverage in environmental studies. More Info
Partial Full-Text UB ONLY

Site Analysis Book

Site Analysis by James A. LaGro
Call Number: ebook
The process-oriented guide to context-sensitive site selection, planning, and design Sustainable design is responsive to context. And each site has a unique set of physical, biological, cultural, and legal attributes that presents different opportunities and constraints for alternative uses of the site. Site analysis systematically evaluates these on-site and off-site factors to inform the design of places--including neighborhoods and communities--that are attractive, walkable, and climate-resilient.

Maps

Fire Insurance Maps online
Fire Insurance Maps online (FIMo) is an online subscription service that provides access to historical map collection. More Info
Full-Text UB ONLY

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
by Sam Kim Last Updated Apr 11, 2025 870 views this year

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
by Sam Kim Last Updated Apr 11, 2025 18588 views this year

Mapping Sites Hosted by Erie County
USGS Topo Maps
Click on US Topo on left side of page. On the right, type in City/Town name in the search box, enter. On the left side, click Search Products, scroll down to USGS Topo 7.5 minute map and click on download pdf

PolicyMap
Create compelling maps of up to five layers, export trend charts with key benchmarks, download data for use in other tools, generate reports, and upload your own data to view it with PolicyMap data.

Transportation

Compendex (Engineering Index)
Engineering & applied science-related research. More Info
Partial Full-Text UB ONLY
TRID Database
Transportation-related research. More Info
PUBLIC

Town Plans/Planning Documents

Amherst, Town of
City of Buffalo Planning Document Library
View a number of archived Planning Division documents, such as urban renewal plans, surveys, and amendments.
Depew Comprehensive Plan 2018

To find town plans:
Google keyword search: site:.gov city plan (add city name)
ex: site:.gov city plan Buffalo

You can add in zoning, land use or any other topic you are searching.