Land use planning
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Land use planning is the term used for a branch of public policy which encompasses various disciplines which seek to order and regulate the use of land in an efficient way.
Despite confusing nomenclature, the essential function of planning remains the same whatever term is applied. 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"[1]
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[edit] Nomenclature
In the English speaking world, the terms land use planning, town and country planning, regional planning, town planning, urban planning, and urban design are often used interchangeably, and will depend on the country in question.
In Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, the term town planning is common, although regional planning and land use planning are also used.
In the United States, the terms urban planning and regional planning are more commonly used.
[edit] Functions of land use planning
At its most basic level land use planning is likely to involve zoning and transport infrastructure planning. In most developed countries, land use planning is an important part of social policy, ensuring that land is used efficiently for the benefit of the wider economy and population as well as to protect the environment.
Land use planning encompasses the following disciplines:
- Architecture
- Environmental planning
- Landscape architecture
- Regional Planning
- Spatial planning
- Sustainable Development
- Transportation Planning
- Urban design
- Urban planning
- Urban Renaissance
- Urban renewal
Architecture, urban design, urban planning, landscape architecture and urban renewal usually address the selection of physical layout, scale of development, aesthetics, costs of alternatives and selection of building materials and landscape species.
Environmental planning usually impies the use of tools to forecast impacts of development decisions including roadway noise computer models, roadway air dispersion models and urban surface runoff computer models.
