Land Economics - Land Use Notes

Land Economics

Chapter 7: Land Use

Land Use Patterns

  • The Need for Planning:

    • More than half of the world’s surface has been altered by humans.
    • Most land-use decisions are based on economic considerations or short-term needs rather than a unique analysis of the landscape.
    • Once land is converted to intensive human use, it is generally unavailable for other uses.

  • Land Use Planning:

    • Urban planning consists of various disciplines to regulate land use in an efficient and ethical way and prevent conflicts in land use.
    • A public policy that designates and regulates land use to improve the community’s physical, economic, and social efficiency and well-being, supporting local development goals.

  • What Shaped Land Use:

    • Industrial Revolution
    • Cultural, social, and artistic opportunities
    • Immigration from rural areas to urban areas

  • Land Use Planning:

    • Zoning regulates the types of activities that can be accommodated on a given piece of land, as well as the amount of space devoted to those activities, and the ways that buildings may be situated and shaped.
    • Governments use land-use planning to manage the development of land within their jurisdictions.
    • Governments can plan for the needs of the community while safeguarding natural resources.
    • A comprehensive plan provides a vision for the future possibilities of development in neighborhoods, districts, cities, or any defined planning area.
    • Leads to land-use regulation, which typically encompasses zoning.

  • Separate districts are used for different purposes and activities:

    • Commercial
    • Transport
    • Residential
    • Industrial
    • Recreational

  • Zones/Patterns within a City:

    • Commercial:
      • Banks, department stores, offices, etc.
      • The CBD is the largest commercial district in cities.
      • CBD is the most accessible part of the city where transport networks meet.
      • Space is limited, and rents are high.
      • Office buildings are multi-story, and car park charges are high.
    • Transport:
      • Roads, car parks, bus depots, train stations, and railways take up a lot of space in cities.
      • City center streets are often narrow.
    • Residential:
      • High density is found close to the city center because of the cost of land – multi-story apartments.
      • Residential suburbs have more space with front and back gardens.
    • Industrial:
      • Heavy industries such as oil refining, cement plants, and steelworks are found in port areas of cities.
      • Manufacturing is being located at the edges of cities where large and cheaper sites are available and allow access for trucks.
    • Recreational:
      • Recreational areas are essential for the health of urban residents.
      • They are also used for running, cycling, etc.

  • Zoning

    • Zoning land means the city will develop according to a specific plan
    • Designed so that residential areas are located close to recreational parks, industries with heavy goods are located together etc.
    • Local authorities devise long term plans for the development of modern cities.
    • Involves zoning land for specific economic and social activities.

General Urban Land Use Models

  • 3 Models of Urban Land Use:
    • Concentric Zone Theory (1925):
      • Based on the idea that land values are highest in the center of a town or city.
      • The outer edge of the CBD is constantly growing; this area is called the zone of transition.
    • Hoyt’s Sector Theory (1939):
      • Considers the impact of transport routes and land development.
      • Towns have grown sectors growing outwards from CBD along transport routes.
    • Multiple Nuclei Theory (1945):
      • Based on the two previous theories (mixture of the two).
      • Each nuclei has a growth pattern that occurs outwards.
      • Until they all merge into one large urban area.

Changes in Land Use Policy

  • Urbanization Trends:
    • Rapid urbanization often necessitates adjustments in land use policies to accommodate increased population density, infrastructure demands, and changes in economic activities.
  • Economic Development:
    • Changes in economic priorities and development strategies can influence land use policies. For example, a shift from agriculture to industry may result in altered zoning regulations.
  • Social Equity and Inclusion:
    • Policies may be revised to address issues of social equity and inclusion, ensuring that land use decisions contribute to more equitable access to resources and opportunities.
  • Environmental Sustainability:
    • Growing awareness of environmental issues may lead to changes in land use policies to promote sustainable practices, protect natural resources, and mitigate the impact of development on ecosystems.
  • Technology Advances:
    • Technological advancements and innovations may necessitate updates to land use policies to address new considerations such as the integration of smart technologies, data management, and digital infrastructure.
  • Climate Change Adaptation:
    • Concerns related to climate change may lead to policy changes aimed at adapting to climate impacts, mitigating risks, and promoting resilience in land use planning.
  • Legal and Regulatory Frameworks:
    • Changes in legal frameworks at national or regional levels can trigger adjustments to land use policies, ensuring alignment with broader legislative priorities.
  • Global and Regional Agreements:
    • Commitments to international agreements or regional initiatives may influence land use policies to meet specific goals related to sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, or climate change mitigation.
  • Community Engagement and Participation:
    • Increased emphasis on community engagement may lead to more participatory approaches in land use decision-making, incorporating the preferences and concerns of local residents.
  • Public Health Considerations:
    • Events such as pandemics or health crises may prompt revisions to land use policies to address public health concerns, such as the need for green spaces, healthcare facilities, or changes in building regulations.

Structure of Communities

  • Refers to the organization, relationships, and pattern of interaction among individuals within a group or locality.
  • Population composition:
    • The demographic such as age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and educational background.
  • Economic Structure:
    • The types of jobs and economic activities within the community contribute to its economic structure. This includes the presence of industries, businesses, and employment opportunities.
  • Social Network:
    • Interconnectedness which represent the relationships and connections among individuals. Strong social ties contribute to a cohesive community structure.
  • Residential Patterns:
    • The spatial arrangement of residences influences community structure. Factors such as housing density, neighborhood design, and land use planning contribute to the physical organization of the community.
  • Social Classes:
    • Some communities exhibit social stratification based on factors like income, education, and occupation. Social classes can impact the distribution of resources and opportunities.
  • Leadership and Governance:
    • Leaders or governing bodies that guide decision-making, enforce rules, and represent the community's interests. Leadership structures may include formal leaders (elected officials) and informal leaders (community influencers).
  • Three (3) Levels of Land-use Planning
    • Local
      • Local planning village unit, to find the plan easiest for people to fit, knowledge and contribution, plan drawn by the local people.
    • National
      • Concern with national goal and resource allocation.
    • District
      • Land-use policy from different sectors, food production, export crops, tourism, wildlife conservation, housing and public amenities: roads and industries.
      • Legislation: Land tenure, forest clearance and water rights.
      • Development of new settlement, forest plantations and irrigation schemes.
    • Need for improved infrastructure:
      • water supply, roads and marketing facilities
    • Decisions may differ from each level, there is a need for a land-use strategies and policies, that indicate planning priorities and operational planning to get the work done.
    • The greater interactions between the three levels the better. The information flow should be in both directions and the need for the participation of the local people.
  • Three (3) Groups of People Involved in Planning
    • Land Users
      • People living in the planning area whose livelihood depends wholly or partly on the land.
      • People experience and determination dealing with environment.
      • Potential benefits as well as fairness of the planning process
    • Decision-makers
      • Responsible for putting plans into effect at national and district level.
      • Government ministers and local council member.
      • Guide the planning team on key issuesand goals. Encourage public participation
    • Planning Team
      • Crossing boundaries between disciplines; natural resources, engineering, agricultural and social sciences.
      • Special expertise on the following fields; Members of the Planning Team:
        • a) Soil Surveyor
        • b) Land Evaluation Specialist
        • c) Agronomist
        • d) Forester
        • e) Livestock Specialist
        • f) Architect/Engineer
        • g) Economist
        • h) Sociologist
    • Land-use planning involves getting people working together towards common goals.
  • PEOPLE INVOLVED IN PLANNING (Diagram Summary):
    • Land Users: Land resources demand, provide labor, capital, produce goods and services, plan implement on ground.
    • Sectoral Agencies: Source of technical info, carry out public works and services, act on plan.
    • Executive: Source of policy, source of action, allocates resources, instructs agencies and planners, approves plan
    • Planning Team: Support decision-maker, Provide land-use info, Makes plan
    • Decision Making: Leads planning process
    • Legislation: Provide legal authority that relates all entities above.

Types of Land Use Control

  • Land use controls are regulations and mechanisms implemented by government to guide the development and use of land.
  • Land Use Planning
    • Comprehensive Plans: a vision of a community e.g.: land use, transport, infra
    • Master plan: detailed plans
  • Zoning Regulations
    • Zoning Districts: divide
    • Zoning Maps: illustrations
  • Subdivision Regulations
    • Parcel Subdivision: controlling the division
    • Infrastructure Requirement: for roads, utilities
  • Building Codes
    • Construction Standard : specs on design, construction, safety
    • Building Permits: approval
  • Density Control
    *Density zoning: no. of units of land area
    *floor Area Ratio: size building to size lot
  • Environmental Regulations
    • EIA
  • Affordable Housing Requirement
    • Inclusionary Zoning
    • Housing Impact Fees
  • Aesthetic Controls
    • Architectural Design Guidelines
    • Sign Regulations
  • Performance Standards
    • Noise and Air Quality Standards
    • Setback requirements
  • Fees
    *Developer contributions

Land Use Policy

  • Guided by various laws, regulations, and planning frameworks at both the federal and state levels.
  • These policies are aimed at managing and regulating land use to achieve sustainable development, environmental conservation, and socio-economic objectives.
  • Key components of land use policy in Malaysia:
    • National Land Use Policy (NLUP):
      • provides a comprehensive framework for land use planning and management in Malaysia. It aims to optimize land resources for sustainable development, economic growth, and environmental protection.
    • State Structure Plan:
      • Each state in Malaysia has its own Structure Plan, which serves as a blueprint for land use and development within the state. These plans outline the spatial distribution of land uses, development strategies, and policies for sustainable growth.
    • National Physical Plan (NPP):
      • a long-term spatial planning framework that guides land use at the national level. It sets out policies and strategies for the allocation of land for various purposes, such as agriculture, forestry, urban development, and conservation.
    • Local Plans:
      • Local authorities prepare Local Plans to regulate land use and development at the district and local levels. These plans provide detailed guidelines for zoning, development control, infrastructure provision, and environmental protection.
  • Examples of land use policies initiatives in Malaysia:
    • Zoning regulations to designate areas for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and recreational purposes.
    • Conservation policies to protect environmentally sensitive areas, such as forests, wetlands, and biodiversity hotspots.
    • Incentives for sustainable land management practices, such as agroforestry, organic farming, and eco-tourism.
    • Land acquisition and resettlement policies to support infrastructure development and urban renewal projects.
    • Affordable housing schemes to address housing needs and promote social equity.
    • Smart growth initiatives to encourage compact, mixed-use development and reduce urban sprawl.
    • Land titling and registration programs to formalize land ownership and prevent land disputes.

Types of Land Use Controls (Steps of Land Use Planning Process)

  1. Establish goals and terms of reference (TOR):
    • Find people needs and of the government
    • Agree on the broad goals and objectives of the plan..
  2. Work Organization:
    • Identify activities and select the planning team.
    • Draw up schedule of activities and outputs.
    • Ensure everyone affected by the plan or will contribute to it.
  3. Problem Analysis:
    • Identify the problems and analyze their uses
    • Identify constraint for change.
  4. Opportunity Identification:
    • Identify and draft design for a range of landscape types.
    • Achieve plan goals and present options for public discussions
  5. Land Suitability Evaluation:
    • Establish and match property requirements of land use and physical land suitability.
    • Environmental, economic and social analysis.
  6. Alternative Appraisal:
    • List of favorable and unfavorable alterative courses of action.
  7. Best Choice Option:
    • Hold public and executive discussions of the viable options and consequences.
    • Decide which changes in land-use should be made.
    • Appropriate land management and selected improvements
  8. Land Use Plan Preparation:
    • Draw up policy guidelines, draft legislation.
  9. Plan Implementation:
    • Plan into action
    • Planning team should work in conjunction with the implementing agencies.
  10. Monitor and Revise Plan:
    • Progress monitoring of plan towards its goals.
    • Modify or Revise plan in the light of experience.

Explore on your city!

  • a. CBD:
    • Explore the land use patterns in the central business district (CBD) of the city.
  • b. Transport:
    • Elaborate on the transportation options, depots, or hubs in the city
  • c. Residential Districts:
    • Analyze the distribution of residential areas in city.
    • Discuss factors influencing residential land use decisions and housing patterns.
  • d. Industrial Zones:
    • Identify areas designated for industrial use.
    • Discuss the types of industries present.
  • e. Recreational Area:
    • Examine the land use for recreational areas in the city