There is limited land on the planet, and less than half of this is habitable. Therefore, there is a need to use the available land to support the earth’s growing population and future generations. This means that we have to plan how we use the land available now, and this is where land use planning comes in.
So What Is Land Use Planning?
Land use planning can be explained as the collective effort by a government authority and the community to organize and approve the development of land-based projects. It serves as the foundation for zoning laws. Also, it regulates certain land uses to enable the orderly development of land in a manner that conserves resources and enhances a community. Additionally, land planning promotes social gathering, protects the environment, and provides for industry, transportation, and economic needs.
Understanding Land Use Planning and Development
Within every community, competing interests and needs vie for the available resources. Land use planning and development is an avenue by which the community leaders allocate the available resources and create policies for using the land to enable the best land development that promotes the area’s residents’ general welfare.
- Why is it vital to make proper plans for land use?
The lack of proper land use plans can drive communities and cities to disarray. This is because transportation wouldn’t be able to run efficiently. Moreover, industrial plants would be near residential areas reducing air quality and polluting waterways. The result will be that the cities would be unbearably congested, the environment would be damaged, economies would stall, communities would be unsafe, and resources would be wasted. This means that the area would be unsuitable for future generations.
- Is land planning a new idea?
Humans have been planning how they use their land since ancient times. Land planning started as soon as people began living in small groups, and it has advanced as these groups grew into villages, towns, cities, and greater metropolitan areas. There is indisputable historical evidence that land zoning and development existed in early civilizations in Egypt, Mexico, Rome, and Greece. During the Industrial Revolution, it became evident how vital land use planning was to public well-being.
The Land Development Planning Process
- Conducting market research and feasibility studies
- Securing the rights to buy the land and land acquisition
- Conducting environmental assessments
- Doing surveys
- Developing plans for a site and any buildings
- Securing the required permits
- Seeking financing for the project
- Applying for rezoning, where the land was scheduled for another use
In most cases, all of these steps have to be completed before breaking ground on the site.
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