Land is a precious resource that has great value in modern society. There is only a limited amount of it, and the landscape influences its availability.

To ensure that land is used wisely, it must be carefully planned. This involves zoning laws that limit certain uses and environmental protections.

It is the process of determining the best use of a piece of land.

Land is a vital resource, providing natural habitats, critical resources and space for the infrastructure that underpins modern economies. Land use planning is the process of determining how best to make use of the land for these purposes. Often the best way to use land is to keep it in its natural state, preserving biodiversity and providing sustainable food sources. In some cases, the land can be used for new development. For example, brownfield sites can be used to build homes and businesses. Land use planning can also include re-designating land to ensure that it is suitable for its current purpose. For example, green belt land can be reclassified as brownfield land if it is not fulfilling its current purpose.

One of the most important concepts to understand in an eminent domain case is that of highest and best use. This is the process of determining the reasonable, probable and legal use of a property, which results in the highest value for that property. This analysis takes into account both the property as vacant and as improved, and always includes retention and use of existing improvements.

It is the process of determining the best way to use a piece of land.

Whether you are an investor, developer or landowner, understanding your property’s highest and best use is critical to safeguarding your investment and ensuring you get maximum value from your land. Rather than focusing on what a property is used for now, it examines what a site could legally and physically become in the future under realistic market and planning conditions. Taking this approach helps you make the right development, subdivision and/or redevelopment decisions. It also safeguards your land against costly design and approval errors.