Why Is Land Use Management Important?
Land use management helps control the allocation of land for specific uses. This ensures resources are available for future generations. It minimises the effect of economic activities and development on the environment. The best use of available resources is achievable through organised usage.
Want to learn more? Read on as we answer questions about land use management, thereby revealing why it is essential.
What Is Considered Land Use?
It refers to any changes or modifications to the area to allow for human settlement and economic activities.
Why Is Planning Important?
Usage planning and management reduce the negative impact of utilisation and improve optimal usage of resources. Planning enables the allocation of areas for activities and applications to meet the needs of the persons using it while protecting the resources against over-exploitation.
What Exactly Is a Land Use Management System?
It entails policies, procedures and tools to ensure the land can be utilised in the best possible way. To this end, a scheme within a larger framework can be created in which the areas are zoned for particular uses.
The usage plan and map are used for indicating the various areas within an area. It also shows the zoning for each area. This plan ensures that developments within the area take place according to the zones already in place. Where a developer wants to use an area for another purpose as for which zoned, a re-zoning application is done. If approved, the land use plan and map reflect the change. It ensures that development promotes the effective usage of resources. This should promote public social and economic well-being while minimising the effect on the available resources.
What Does Such a Plan Include?
Many aspects are catered for in the plan – among these are development and redevelopment policies and changes thereof, the creation of a framework or outline that shows the various zones, and improvement of the transportation infrastructure to accommodate the needs of the community, and to support economic activity. Many other aspects are included in the plan, best discussed with our town planning consultants.
What’s The Role of Planning as Far as Development Is Concerned?
The plan plays an integral role in the social, environmental and economic development of a particular community. With that in mind, careful consideration goes into the allocation of land for particular uses to meet these goals.
Planning holds several advantages:
• Protecting the environment.
• Reducing or limiting urban sprawl.
• Facilitating a structure and development area that supports public health & safety.
• Enabling compatible usage of a particular area (residential area close to a commercial area).
• Reducing and preventing land-use conflict.
• Reducing and controlling transportation costs.
Types range from residential to recreational, industrial, commercial, transportation and agricultural. Mix use areas include the utilisation of land that can work together without compromising the safety of the public.
Why Zoning Regulations Are in Place
Municipalities apply zoning to organise and control where and how development takes place within their municipal borders.
How Does the Process Help Sustainability?
It helps to improve air and water quality, create more open spaces in the urban environment, and reduce the land taken up by the uncontrolled expansion of the city borders. Without management policies and regulations in place, industrial operations would, for example, have been put right next to residential homes without consideration for how the operations would affect the social, health and economic well-being of the community. This would have the effects of air and noise pollution, an increase in traffic, and a reduction in the value of the residential property.
Effective management helps to reduce soil erosion, improve the protection of wetlands and habitats, and maintain recreational spaces. Unmanaged development would have the opposite effect and would thereby destroy the habitats and environment. In turn, this would affect the economic growth potential of an area.
How Is Land Use Determined?
Aspects such as population total and density, technology, economic activities and capital available for development play a role. In terms of the environment, factors such as available water, air quality, geographical layout, habitats, and more are considered. In addition, minerals, soil type, and topography, etc. are considered.
Need Help with Land Use Management?
Do you want to develop a piece of land? Need guidance and help with the site plan, zoning application and project management? Reach out for expert help from our experienced town planning consultants.