Land use planning is the practice of making sure the resources within a community are used effectively, to benefit both the environment and economy of that locale.

At the forefront of land use planning is making projections about population numbers, and then using that information to establish how much land should be set aside for various land uses.

Agricultural

Good agricultural land use planning can improve food production while decreasing resource-intensive food imports. Furthermore, good planning protects wilderness and promotes biodiversity.

An essential part of a plan is engaging the people likely to be affected by it, both to show that you take their opinions seriously and also inform them about any forthcoming changes that will take place.

Data gathering is also key, including information about farming systems, forestry management practices, soils and production levels. Minimum residential lot size requirements – traditionally the primary method used to protect farmland – do little to assist farmers when variances and amendments threaten their land holdings.

Residential

Residential land use planning includes any housing option intended to house people, such as single-family homes, townhouses, apartments and even trailer parks.

Planning can provide cities and towns with tools for economic development, revitalizing downtown areas and offering housing options to their residents while mitigating environmental effects of urban expansion.

Many believe the current zoning process falls short in its mission to encourage affordable housing. There are ways this can be achieved, by capitalizing on unique assets in each locality.

Commercial

Land use planning can ensure that commercial sites being developed will benefit their surrounding communities. The process also promotes aspects related to quality development and placemaking, including design guidelines that support integration between land uses and mobility options for all vehicles.

Land planning processes often encompass an examination of economic viability, conducting feasibility studies and performing impact analyses on potential sites. Land-use planning firms also help with logistics such as transporting goods efficiently as well as making sure the necessary infrastructure exists to support growth.

Industrial

Industrial land use planning aims to attract light, medium, and heavy industries with its emphasis on locational advantages for businesses – an environment which attracts businesses in need of new facilities while increasing efficiencies and productivity.

Participating in land-use planning process by engaging local communities – women’s organizations and ethnic minorities alike – is vitally important. Doing so ensures their needs are considered, while also decreasing conflict potential.

At a community level, understanding the current infrastructure including transport, communication and service networks is also crucial in planning for future expansion. This knowledge should be utilized as part of any growth strategies.

Recreation

Outdoor recreation offers health, economic, and environmental advantages. BLM-managed public lands provide opportunities for activities like camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and off-highway vehicle driving – not forgetting birding/wildlife watching/photographing as well.

But recreational uses can have unintended repercussions for natural environments and the species that inhabit them if large numbers of visitors visit repeatedly the same areas. Recreational land use planning helps communities mitigate these impacts while improving experiences for both residents and visitors; developing recreational facilities, programs and services also fosters social cohesion.

Open Space

Communities that value nature can take advantage of open space land use planning by creating an interconnected system of open spaces to provide recreational activities, improve environmental quality and foster economic expansion.

Local governments may create comprehensive open space plans either separately or as part of larger land-use plans, while urban/rural fringe communities can gain a variety of advantages by engaging in land use planning for open space purposes.

Beginning an open space plan requires gathering an inventory of important natural re- sources in your community, such as parks and scenic lands, wetlands, forests and stream corridors, wildlife habitat sites, historic sites and farms. Once collected, this data can then be used in subsequent parts of the planning process.

Housing

Residential land use planning ensures communities have access to an affordable range of housing options and helps prevent the loss of important cultural and natural resources such as open spaces and farmland while creating attractive neighborhoods with strong senses of place.

CBC advocates for reform of the zoning review process to prioritize projects that support the City’s Charter-mandated strategic plans for jobs, housing and resilience. This would increase approval rates and provide applicants with more predictable frameworks within which they could operate. It would also promote equitable development by addressing environmental impacts specific to low-income and people of color communities.