Lesson 2-Land-Use Planning

1. As a shared natural resource
2. As property

Land is viewed in two primary ways:

Land as a shared natural resource

Similar to air and water, land is considered a collective asset that should be preserved and managed for future generations

Land as property

Land can be privately owned, bought, sold, and used for personal and financial purposes.

LAND-USE PLANNING

The process of organizing, regulating, and managing land to minimize conflicts and maximize its potential for development in an ethical and sustainable manner.

LAND TENURE

The legal right or authority to own, use, and control land for specific purposes.

Parallel Registration of Flexible Land Tenure Rights

1. Deeds Registry

2. Land Rights Office – Starter Title Register

3. Land Rights Office – Land Hold Title Register

Land Ownership

This refers to the legal acquisition and possession of a piece of land by an individual, corporation, or entity.

land title

Ownership is usually secured through a ____ issued by the government (e.g., Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) for private lands). The owner has full rights to use, develop, transfer, or sell the land, subject to zoning laws and regulations.

Land Lease (Renting Land)

This is a contractual agreement where a landowner (lessor) grants a tenant (lessee) the right to use the land for a specified period in exchange for payment (rent).

Land leases

______ can be short-term or long-term and are governed by lease agreements that define rights, responsibilities, and conditions for use.

Government Land Use (Public Land Tenure)

This refers to land that is owned by the state and may be allocated, leased, or granted for specific purposes.

government lands

Some ______ are protected (e.g., forests, parks, and reserves), while others can be leased or granted to individuals or communities for housing, agriculture, or business

LAND ACQUISITION

the legal or historical process of obtaining land, whether by individuals, governments, or organizations. Over time, societies have used different ways to claim or transfer land ownership.

Different ways to claim or transfer land ownership

1. By Conquest – Land was taken by force, often through war or colonization.

2. By Feudal Claims – In the feudal system, kings or rulers granted land to nobles in exchange for military service or loyalty.

3. By freehold ownership – Absolute ownership rights extending below and above the surface, though limited by legal regulations.

By Conquest

Land was taken by force, often through war or colonization.

By Feudal Claims

In the feudal system, kings or rulers granted land to nobles in exchange for military service or loyalty.

By freehold ownership

Absolute ownership rights extending below and above the surface, though limited by legal regulations.

fee simple absolute ownership

One of the highest forms of private land ownership is called ____________.

fee simple absolute ownership

-You own the land fully without conditions.

-You can sell, transfer, or pass it on to heirs.

-You own everything on the surface and under the ground —but with exceptions

INHERENT RIGHTS OF THE GOVERNMENT OVER LAND (Major government powers over land)

A. Police Power

B. Eminent Domain

C. Taxation

D. Escheat

Police Power

-Government has the right to regulate private property for public welfare.

-If a property is harmful (noxious), the state can take and destroy it without compensation.

Eminent Domain

The government can acquire private property for public use, but just compensation must be provided.

Taxation

The government imposes taxes on property for public use and development.

Escheat

If a person dies without heirs, their property reverts to the state.

TYPES OF LAND OWNERSHIP RIGHTS

A. Surface Rights

-Access rights – Entry into premises.

-Boundaries – Legal demarcation of land ownership.

-Riparian Rights – Water use rights for landowners adjacent to a water body.

-Direct Water-Use Rights – Rights obtained from neighboring property.

-Fishing & Wildlife Rights – Ownership implications on hunting and fishing.Owner -

-Liability – Legal responsibility for accidents on owned land.

TYPES OF LAND OWNERSHIP RIGHTS

B. Above-Surface Rights (Air Rights)

-Rights against air contamination and privacy invasion.

-Protection against obstructions that limit aesthetic views

LAND CLASSIFICATION

Public land is classified into:

1. Agricultural land – Used for farming.

2. Forest land – Protected areas for trees and wildlife.

3. Mineral land – Areas where mining is allowed.

4. National parks – Land reserved for nature and tourism.

AGRICULTURAL LAND

Nueva Ecija – Known as the "Rice Granary of the Philippines"

Isabela – One of the largest corn-producing provinces

Bukidnon – Famous for pineapple, sugarcane, and coffee plantations

Iloilo – Major producer of rice and sugarcane

FOREST LAND

Sierra Madre Mountain Range (Luzon) – The longest mountain range, home to critically endangered species

Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park (Bukidnon) – Habitat of the Philippine eagle

Palawan’s Mangrove Forests – Protected coastal ecosystems that prevent erosion and support marine life

MINERAL LAND

Surigao del Norte (Mindanao) – Rich in nickel and gold mining

Benguet (Luzon) – Known for gold and copper mines

Masbate – One of the largest gold-producing provinces in the country

NATIONAL PARKS

Mount Pulag National Park (Benguet) – Popular for its "sea of clouds" and hiking trails

Hundred Islands National Park (Pangasinan) – A group of scenic islands for tourism

Chocolate Hills Natural Monument (Bohol) – Iconic geological formations

ZONING

Establishing land use districts through legal regulation.

Zoning laws

______ regulate land use to ensure orderly development, prevent conflicts, and promote public welfare.

8 Basic Zoning Classifications

1. RESIDENTIAL ZONE

2. COMMERCIAL ZONE

3. INDUSTRIAL ZONE

4. AGRICULTURAL ZONE

5. INSTITUTIONAL ZONE

6. OPEN SPACE / RECREATIONAL ZONE

7. MIXED-USE ZONE

8. SPECIAL ZONING AREAS

RESIDENTIAL ZONE

Areas where people live—houses, apartments, and condominiums.

Low-Density Residential (R-1)

Single-family homes, subdivisions

Medium-Density Residential (R-2)

Townhouses, duplexes

High-Density Residential (R-3 to R-5)

Condominiums, high-rise apartments

COMMERCIAL ZONE

Areas for businesses, offices, and shops—like malls, restaurants, and markets

C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial)

Small businesses, convenience stores

C-2 (Community Commercial)

Shopping centers, medium-sized businesses

C-3 (Central Business District)

High-rise office buildings, malls, corporate hubs

INDUSTRIAL ZONE

Areas for factories, warehouses, and manufacturing plants

Light Industrial (I-1)

Small-scale manufacturing, food processing

Medium Industrial (I-2)

Factories that require larger space and transport facilities

Heavy Industrial (I-3)

Large manufacturing plants that may cause pollution (e.g., steel mills, chemical plants)

AGRICULTURAL ZONE

Land used for farming, livestock, and fisheries. Some may be converted for development but need special approval.

INSTITUTIONAL ZONE

Areas for government buildings, schools, hospitals, and churches.

OPEN SPACE / RECREATIONAL ZONE

Reserved for parks, playgrounds, sports complexes, and nature reserves.

MIXED-USE ZONE

A combination of residential, commercial, and office spaces in one area (e.g., business districts like BGC in Taguig).

SPECIAL ZONING AREAS

Heritage, Tourism, and Protected zones

Heritage Zone

Areas preserving historical sites (e.g., Vigan, Intramuros)

Tourism Zone

Land designated for resorts, beaches, and eco-tourism (e.g., Boracay, Palawan)

Protected Zone

Lands reserved for environmental conservation (e.g., Sierra Madre, Taal Volcano Protected Landscape)

CONCEPTS RELATED TO LAND USE

1. LAND USE CONVERSION

2. REVERSIBLE LAND USE

3. IRREVERSIBLE LAND USE

4. MULTIPLE LAND USE

LAND USE CONVERSION

Changing the function of a land parcel to a different purpose.

REVERSIBLE LAND USE

Land that retains its original characteristics and can be restored to its prior use.

IRREVERSIBLE LAND USE

Land that has undergone modifications preventing restoration to its original state.

Land that has undergone modifications preventing restoration to its original state.

Utilizing land for different purposes simultaneously due to high demand and finite availability.

COMBINED LAND USES

URBAN USES

-Planned development

NON-URBAN USES

-Agriculture

-Forestry

-Wildlife & Conservation

-Outdoor Recreation

-Grazing Lands

-Water Conservation

Planned development

Mixed-use areas integrating housing, commercial, and recreational spaces.

Agriculture

Farming and food production.

Forestry

Sustainable management of forests

Wildlife & Conservation

Habitat preservation

Outdoor Recreation

Parks and tourism

Grazing Lands

Animal husbandry.

Water Conservation

Reservoirs and watersheds

APPLICATION OF COMBINED USES

1. As a land management policy

   -Multiple-use planning

   -Sustainable development principles

2. Sustained yield – Ensuring that land resources are not depleted

Sustained yield

Ensuring that land resources are not depleted.