"Land use planning is the process of regulating the use of land by a central authority."
This subfield studies the allocation of land resources, including the management of soil quality, the preservation of natural habitats, and the protection of geographical features.
Property rights: Legal rights to use, exclude, and transfer possession and ownership of a resource, including land.
Zoning ordinances: Local laws that regulate land use through the division of land into specific zones that govern which uses are permitted in each area.
Eminent domain: The power of government to take private property for public use, with compensation to the owner.
Conservation easements: Legal agreements between landowners and government agencies or conservation organizations that protect land from development, while allowing the property to remain in private ownership.
Land trusts: Nonprofit organizations that hold and manage land for conservation, recreation, or other public purposes.
Grazing leases: Agreements between ranchers and landowners or government agencies for the use of public or private land for livestock grazing.
Water rights: Legal rights to use water resources, including surface water and groundwater, for specific purposes such as irrigation or drinking water.
Forest management: The practice of managing forests for timber production, wildlife habitat, recreation, and other purposes.
Federal land management: The management of federal lands, including national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges, by government agencies such as the National Park Service, the Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.
Renewable energy development: The development of wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources on public and private lands.
Climate change adaptation: Strategies for adapting to the impacts of climate change on land use and management, such as sea level rise, increased forest fires, and changes in precipitation patterns.
Agriculture: The use of land for crop production, animal husbandry, and other forms of agriculture.
Urbanization: The process of land development and population growth in urban areas, including the development of infrastructure such as roads, buildings, and utilities.
Environmental impact assessments: Evaluations of the potential effects of land use projects on the environment, including air and water quality, soil erosion, and wildlife habitat.
Public lands policy: The development and implementation of policies that guide the management of public lands, including policies related to recreation, conservation, and resource extraction.
Residential Land Use: This type of land use refers to land that is used for residential purposes, such as housing developments, apartments, and condominiums.
Commercial Land Use: This type of land use refers to land used for businesses, such as offices, retail stores, and restaurants.
Industrial Land Use: This type of land use refers to land used for manufacturing, packaging, and other industrial purposes.
Agricultural Land Use: This type of land use refers to land used for farming, ranching, and raising livestock.
Recreational Land Use: This type of land use refers to land used for recreational purposes, such as parks, golf courses, and hiking trails.
Conservation Land Use: This type of land use refers to land that is set aside for preservation and protection, such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and nature reserves.
Mining Land Use: This type of land use refers to land used for mining and extraction of minerals and resources.
Transportation Land Use: This type of land use refers to land used for transportation infrastructure, such as roads, railroads, and airports.
Energy Land Use: This type of land use refers to land used for energy production, such as solar farms, wind farms, and oil and gas extraction sites.
Military Land Use: This type of land use refers to land used for military bases, training facilities, and testing ranges.
"The goals of modern land use planning often include environmental conservation, restraint of urban sprawl, minimization of transport costs, prevention of land use conflicts, and a reduction in exposure to pollutants."
"Planners assume that regulating the use of land will change the patterns of human behavior."
"The first assumption, that regulating land use changes the patterns of human behavior is widely accepted."
"The second assumption - that these changes are beneficial - is contested, and depends on the location and regulations being discussed."
"Land use planning seeks to order and regulate land use in an efficient and ethical way, thus preventing land use conflicts."
"Governments use land use planning to manage the development of land within their jurisdictions."
"The systematic assessment of land and water potential, alternatives for land use, and economic and social conditions."
"A land use plan provides a vision for the future possibilities of development in neighborhoods, districts, cities, or any defined planning area."
"In the United States, the terms land use planning, regional planning, urban planning, and urban design are often used interchangeably."
"The Canadian Institute of Planners offers a definition that land use planning means the scientific, aesthetic, and orderly disposition of land, resources, facilities and services with a view to securing the physical, economic and social efficiency, health and well-being of urban and rural communities."
"The goal of land use planning is to further the welfare of people and their communities by creating convenient, equitable, healthful, efficient, and attractive environments for present and future generations."