The Planner’s Guide to Natural Resource Conservation:
The Planner’s Guide to Natural Resource Conservation:

Author: Adrian X. Esparza

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2009-06-12

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 9780387981673

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Much of the country’s recent population growth is situated in exurban areas. By many accounts exurbanization has become the dominant pattern of land development in the country and there is no indication it will slow in the foreseeable future (Theobald 2005; Brown et al. 2005; Glennon and Kretser 2005). By definition, exurban development takes place beyond the metropolitan fringe, often in rural and remote areas. The development of new exurban communities is a growing trend, especially in the West. In this case, developers and homebuilders seek large tracts of land, up to thousands of acres, in rural areas (typically within 50 miles of a large city) where they plan entire communities consisting of commercial, retail and residential land uses. Recreational amenities such as golf courses and hiking/biking trails are often included in these master-planned developments. Our philosophy is reflected in the book’s two objectives. First, we seek to document the extent and impacts of exurban development across the country. At issue is demonstrating why planners and the public-at-large should be concerned about exurbanization. We will demonstrate that even though exurbanization favors amenity rich regions, it affects all areas of the country through the loss of agricultural and grazing lands, impacts to watersheds and land modification. A summary of environmental impacts is presented, including the loss of wildlands and agricultural productivity, land modification, soil erosion, impacts to terrestrial hydrologic systems, the loss of biodiversity, nonnative and endangered species and other topics. Our second aim is to provide readers from diverse (nonscientific) backgrounds with a working knowledge of how and why exurbanization impacts environmental systems. This is accomplished by working closely to ensure contributors follow a specific outline for each chapter. First, contributors will spell out fundamental concepts, principles and processes that apply to their area of expertise (e.g., riparian areas). Contributors will move beyond a cursory understanding of ecological processes without overwhelming readers with the dense material found typically in specialized texts. For this reason, visuals and other support materials will be integral to each chapter. We have chosen contributors carefully based on their record as research scientists and acumen as educators. Second, once the mechanics have been laid out, authors will explain how and why land development in nearby areas influences ecosystems. Issues of interdependency, modification and adaptation, spatial scale and varying time horizons will be featured. Third, contributors will weigh in on the pros and cons of various land-development schemes. Fourth, authors will share their thinking on the merits of conservation devices such as wildlife corridors, open-space requirements and watershed management districts. Finally, each chapter will conclude by identifying pitfalls to avoid and highlighting "best practices" that will mitigate environmental problems or avoid them altogether. In sum, after completing each chapter, readers should have a firm grasp of relevant concepts and processes, an understanding of current research and know how to apply science to land-use decisions.

Economics and Contemporary Land Use Policy
Economics and Contemporary Land Use Policy

Author: Robert J. Johnston

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2010-09-30

Total Pages: 338

ISBN-13: 113652360X

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As external forces increase the demand for land conversion, communities are increasingly open to policies that encourage conservation of farm and forest lands. This interest in conservation notwithstanding, the consequences of land-use policy and the drivers of land conversions are often unclear. One of the first books to deal exclusively with the economics of rural-urban sprawl, Economics and Contemporary Land-Use Policy explores the causes and consequences of rapidly accelerating land conversions in urban-fringe areas, as well as implications for effective policy responses. This book emphasizes the critical role of both spatial and economic-ecological interactions in contemporary land use, and the importance of a practical, policy-oriented perspective. Chapters illustrate an interaction of conceptual, theoretical, and empirical approaches to land-use policy and highlight advances in policy-oriented economics associated with the conservation and development of urban-fringe land. Issues addressed include (1) the appropriate role of economics in land-use policy, (2) forecasting and management of land conversion, (3) interactions among land use, property values, and local taxes, and (4) relationships among rural amenities, rural character, and urban-fringe land-use policy. Economics and Contemporary Land-Use Policy is a timely and relevant contribution to the land-use policy debate and will prove an essential reference for policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels. It will also be of interest to students, academics, and anyone with an interest in the practical application of economics to land-use issues.

Conserving Natural Resources Through Local Land Use Decisions
Conserving Natural Resources Through Local Land Use Decisions

Author: Brian Wolyniak

Publisher:

Published: 2017

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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In Pennsylvania, municipal planning commissioners are tasked with administering current land use plans and regulations, as well as updating those plans and regulations to manage the changing needs of development, environmental protection, and quality of life within a municipality. It has been thought these leaders lack the knowledge of the full set of regulatory and non-regulatory tools available to balance development and conservation. As primary actors in local land use decisions, their knowledge about and attitudes toward local natural resource conservation have not been well understood or studied. Focusing on four counties in northeastern Pennsylvania, this study aimed to investigate municipal planning commissioners knowledge about and attitudes towards local regulatory tools (e.g., zoning, subdivision and land development ordinances), and non-regulatory tools (e.g., comprehensive plans, land acquisition strategies, partnerships) for conserving natural resources.This mixed methods study used key informant interviews to develop an understanding of the social context of natural resource conservation as well as land use planning and regulatory policy in the study area. Building on the results of the interviews, a mail survey instrument was developed to assess planning commissioners knowledge and attitudes toward land use planning and its use for natural resource conservation. Results of the survey were used to determine what factors influenced the attitudes of planning commissioners with two multivariate regression models. One model focused on attitudes towards planning for natural resource conservation while the second model focused on attitudes towards zoning for natural resource conservation. The regression models indicated support of social class and environmental concern theories, with political orientation predicting attitudes of planning commissioners toward both planning for and regulation of natural resource conservation. Conservative planning commissioners were more likely to disagree with both planning for and regulating conservation of natural resources in their municipalities. Gender was also a factor influencing agreement with regulation of natural resource conservation, but not for planning. Female planning commissioners were more likely to agree with regulation of natural resource conservation in their municipalities. Training for planning commissioners was also significant in explaining attitudes of planning commissioners in the models. Those indicating agreement with training for planning commissioners were more likely to agree with both planning and regulation of natural resource conservation in their municipalities.In addition to a better understanding of the knowledge and attitudes of planning commissioners, the results of this study also provided other interesting insights on planning commissioners. There was a substantial gender imbalance among planning commissioners with over four-fifths of respondents being male. Also, almost two-thirds of planning commissioners thought they had not received adequate training. The important information provided by the results of this study improved understanding of how planning commissioners think about natural resource conservation in Pennsylvania. This study moved forward this understanding by surveying planning commissioners directly, adding to a limited body of research on what is an important role in municipal government in Pennsylvania. Implications of this study will contribute to increasing the awareness of how natural resources can be conserved through inclusion in land use planning and regulation at the local government level, as administered by diverse and well-trained planning commissions.

The Planner’s Guide to Natural Resource Conservation:
The Planner’s Guide to Natural Resource Conservation:

Author: Adrian X. Esparza

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2009-07-06

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 9780387981666

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Much of the country’s recent population growth is situated in exurban areas. By many accounts exurbanization has become the dominant pattern of land development in the country and there is no indication it will slow in the foreseeable future (Theobald 2005; Brown et al. 2005; Glennon and Kretser 2005). By definition, exurban development takes place beyond the metropolitan fringe, often in rural and remote areas. The development of new exurban communities is a growing trend, especially in the West. In this case, developers and homebuilders seek large tracts of land, up to thousands of acres, in rural areas (typically within 50 miles of a large city) where they plan entire communities consisting of commercial, retail and residential land uses. Recreational amenities such as golf courses and hiking/biking trails are often included in these master-planned developments. Our philosophy is reflected in the book’s two objectives. First, we seek to document the extent and impacts of exurban development across the country. At issue is demonstrating why planners and the public-at-large should be concerned about exurbanization. We will demonstrate that even though exurbanization favors amenity rich regions, it affects all areas of the country through the loss of agricultural and grazing lands, impacts to watersheds and land modification. A summary of environmental impacts is presented, including the loss of wildlands and agricultural productivity, land modification, soil erosion, impacts to terrestrial hydrologic systems, the loss of biodiversity, nonnative and endangered species and other topics. Our second aim is to provide readers from diverse (nonscientific) backgrounds with a working knowledge of how and why exurbanization impacts environmental systems. This is accomplished by working closely to ensure contributors follow a specific outline for each chapter. First, contributors will spell out fundamental concepts, principles and processes that apply to their area of expertise (e.g., riparian areas). Contributors will move beyond a cursory understanding of ecological processes without overwhelming readers with the dense material found typically in specialized texts. For this reason, visuals and other support materials will be integral to each chapter. We have chosen contributors carefully based on their record as research scientists and acumen as educators. Second, once the mechanics have been laid out, authors will explain how and why land development in nearby areas influences ecosystems. Issues of interdependency, modification and adaptation, spatial scale and varying time horizons will be featured. Third, contributors will weigh in on the pros and cons of various land-development schemes. Fourth, authors will share their thinking on the merits of conservation devices such as wildlife corridors, open-space requirements and watershed management districts. Finally, each chapter will conclude by identifying pitfalls to avoid and highlighting "best practices" that will mitigate environmental problems or avoid them altogether. In sum, after completing each chapter, readers should have a firm grasp of relevant concepts and processes, an understanding of current research and know how to apply science to land-use decisions.

Land Use and Spatial Planning
Land Use and Spatial Planning

Author: Graciela Metternicht

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-01-12

Total Pages: 125

ISBN-13: 3319718614

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This book reconciles competing and sometimes contradictory forms of land use, while also promoting sustainable land use options. It highlights land use planning, spatial planning, territorial (or regional) planning, and ecosystem-based or environmental land use planning as tools that strengthen land governance. Further, it demonstrates how to use these types of land-use planning to improve economic opportunities based on sustainable management of land resources, and to develop land use options that strike a balance between conservation and development objectives. Competition for land is increasing as demand for multiple land uses and ecosystem services rises. Food security issues, renewable energy and emerging carbon markets are creating pressures for the conversion of agricultural land to other uses such as reforestation and biofuels. At the same time, there is a growing demand for land in connection with urbanization and recreation, mining, food production, and biodiversity conservation. Managing the increasing competition between these services, and balancing different stakeholders’ interests, requires efficient allocation of land resources.