Key Terms

1.Land refers to the physical surface of the earth that can be used for various purposes.

2.Land-use planning involves the systematic assessment and management of land resources to achieve
specific objectives.

3.Waterways refer to natural or artificial channels used for transportation, irrigation, or other purposes
related to water.

4.Urbanization is the process of increasing the population and economic development of cities and
towns.

5.Population shift refers to the movement of people from one geographic area to another, often as a
result of economic or social changes.

6.Urban sprawl is the unplanned, low-density expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural lands.

7.Wealthy suburbs are affluent residential areas located on the outskirts of cities.

8.Tract development is the construction of large housing developments consisting of similar types of
houses.

9.Ribbon sprawl is the linear expansion of urban development along transportation corridors such as
highways or rail lines.

10.Megalopolis refers to a region comprising several large cities and their surrounding areas that have
grown together over time.

11.Rural population refers to people living in rural areas, typically characterized by lower population
densities and a greater reliance on agriculture.
12.Urban population refers to people living in urban areas, typically characterized by higher population
densities and greater access to services and amenities.

13.Urbanization is the process by which a society becomes more urban, typically as a result of
industrialization and economic development.

14.Transportation refers to the movement of people, goods, and services from one location to another,
often via various modes such as cars, buses, trains, and airplanes.

15.Air pollution is the presence of harmful substances in the air, often caused by human activities such
as industrial processes and transportation.

16. A low-energy megalopolis is a region with interconnected urban areas that rely on renewable energy
sources and sustainable practices to reduce energy consumption.

17. Infrastructure refers to the physical and organizational structures needed to support a society or
economy, such as roads, bridges, buildings, and communication systems.

18.Farmland is agricultural land used for growing crops or raising livestock.

19.Water pollution refers to the contamination of water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans, by
human activities that introduce harmful substances.

20.A floodplain is an area of low-lying land adjacent to a river or other water body that is prone to
flooding during periods of high water flow.

21.Wetlands are areas of land where water covers the soil, either seasonally or permanently, and
support unique ecosystems.

22.Transit-oriented design is an urban planning approach that promotes the development of compact,
mixed-use communities centered around public transportation hubs.
23.Greenways are linear parks or trails that provide corridors of natural vegetation, often used for
recreation, transportation, and conservation.

24.Urban forestry involves the planting, management, and care of trees in urban areas to provide
environmental, social, and economic benefits.

25.Urban open space refers to publicly accessible parks, plazas, and other green spaces within urban
areas.

26.Agriculture land protection involves policies and practices aimed at preserving farmland and
maintaining its viability for agriculture.

27.Solar access protection involves regulations and design practices that ensure buildings do not block
the access of neighboring buildings to sunlight.

28.Brownfield redevelopment involves the revitalization of previously developed land that is

contaminated or perceived to be contaminated.

29.Infill development is the construction of new buildings or homes within an existing urban area,
typically on vacant or underutilized lots.

30.Zoning is the division of land into different zones or districts with specific regulations and permitted
uses, often used to control development and land use.

31Urban recreation planning involves the development and management of recreational facilities and
programs in urban areas.

32Brownfields development involves the revitalization of contaminated or abandoned industrial sites for
new uses.

33Smart growth is an approach to urban planning that promotes sustainable development and land use
practices, such as compact, walkable neighborhoods and mixed-use development.
34Land trusts are non-profit organizations that hold and manage land for conservation and other
purposes, often through the use of conservation easements.

35Infill development is the construction of new buildings or homes within an existing urban area,
typically on vacant or underutilized lots.

36Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) is a government agency that works to preserve farmland and
open space for agricultural use.

37.Open space refers to publicly accessible parks, plazas, and other green spaces within urban areas.

38.The central city is the historic, economic, and cultural center of a metropolitan area, typically
characterized by high population density and diverse land uses.

39.A community refers to a group of people living in a particular area or sharing a common identity or
interest.

40.Lifestyle factors refer to personal choices and preferences that affect how people choose to live,
work, and interact within their communities.

41.Economic factors refer to the financial conditions and opportunities of a particular area or region,
including employment, income, and business growth.

42.Planning and policy factors refer to the laws, regulations, and decision-making processes that shape
development and land use in a particular area.

43.Urban recreation planning involves the development and management of recreational facilities and
programs in urban areas.

44.Redevelopment involves the revitalization or improvement of existing buildings or sites for new uses,
often through public or private investment.
45.Regulating use refers to the establishment of rules and guidelines for how land can be used, often
through zoning or other land use regulations.

Identification

What is land use planning?

Answer: The process of evaluating and regulating the use of land in a particular area.

What is the primary goal of land use planning?

Answer: To ensure the sustainable use of land and resources.

What are the three main types of land use?

Answer: Residential, commercial, and industrial.

What is zoning?

Answer: The process of dividing a municipality into specific zones or areas, each with its own set of
regulations.

What is a comprehensive plan?

Answer: A document that outlines a community’s long-term vision for land use and development.

What is a land use map?

Answer: A visual representation of the different land uses in a particular area.

What is the purpose of a land use map?

Answer: To help planners make informed decisions about how to use land and allocate resources.
What is the role of public participation in land use planning?

Answer: To ensure that the needs and concerns of all stakeholders are taken into account.

What is the difference between land use planning and land use regulation?

Answer: Land use planning is the process of evaluating and regulating land use, while land use regulation
involves enforcing these regulations.

What is a conditional use permit?

Answer: A permit that allows a property owner to use their land in a way that is not typically allowed
under existing zoning regulations.

What is a variance?

Answer: A request to deviate from the requirements of existing zoning regulations.

What is a development agreement?

Answer: A legally binding agreement between a developer and a municipality that outlines the terms of
a development project.

What is a land use code?

Answer: A set of regulations that govern land use in a particular area.

What is a land use permit?

Answer: A permit that allows a property owner to use their land in a specific way.

What is the role of environmental impact assessments in land use planning?

Answer: To evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a proposed development project.

What is a smart growth policy?

Answer: A policy that promotes compact, mixed-use development and preserves open space.
What is the purpose of a transfer of development rights program?

Answer: To encourage the preservation of open space by allowing property owners to sell their
development rights to developers in other areas.

What is a brownfield site?

Answer: A property that is contaminated by hazardous materials or pollutants, often due to past
industrial use.

What is infill development?

Answer: Development that occurs on vacant or underutilized land within existing urban areas.

What is a master plan?

Answer: A comprehensive plan that outlines a municipality’s long-term vision for land use and
development, often at a regional or citywide scale.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary goal of land use planning?

a) To maximize profits for landowners

b) To prevent development from occurring

c) To balance competing interests and promote sustainable growth

d) To restrict public access to land

Answer: c) To balance competing interests and promote sustainable growth

What is a zoning ordinance?

a) A document that outlines the permitted uses of land in a particular area

b) A law that prohibits the development of certain types of land

c) A requirement that all new developments include green space

d) A set of guidelines for conducting environmental impact studies

Answer: a) A document that outlines the permitted uses of land in a particular area

Which type of land use typically generates the most revenue for local governments?

a) Residential

b) Commercial

c) Industrial

d) Agricultural

Answer: b) Commercial

What is a comprehensive plan?

a) A detailed blueprint for the development of a specific parcel of land

b) A set of guidelines for conducting environmental impact studies

c) A document that outlines a community’s vision for its future growth and development

d) A law that prohibits the development of certain types of land

Answer: c) A document that outlines a community’s vision for its future growth and development

What is an environmental impact statement?

a) A document that assesses the potential effects of a development project on the natural and human
environment

b) A requirement that all new developments include green space

c) A set of guidelines for conducting environmental impact studies

d) A law that prohibits the development of certain types of land

Answer: a) A document that assesses the potential effects of a development project on the natural and
human environment

What is a variance?

a) A change to a zoning ordinance that applies to a specific property

b) A requirement that all new developments include green space

c) A law that prohibits the development of certain types of land

d) A set of guidelines for conducting environmental impact studies

Answer: a) A change to a zoning ordinance that applies to a specific property

What is smart growth?

a) A development approach that emphasizes compact, walkable neighborhoods with mixed uses and
access to public transportation

b) A requirement that all new developments include green space

c) A set of guidelines for conducting environmental impact studies

d) A law that prohibits the development of certain types of land

Answer: a) A development approach that emphasizes compact, walkable neighborhoods with mixed
uses and access to public transportation

What is urban sprawl?

a) The unplanned, haphazard expansion of urban areas into rural areas

b) A requirement that all new developments include green space

c) A set of guidelines for conducting environmental impact studies

d) A law that prohibits the development of certain types of land

Answer: a) The unplanned, haphazard expansion of urban areas into rural areas

What is an overlay zone?

a) A zoning district that applies special regulations on top of the underlying zoning regulations

b) A requirement that all new developments include green space

c) A set of guidelines for conducting environmental impact studies

d) A law that prohibits the development of certain types of land

Answer: a) A zoning district that applies special regulations on top of the underlying zoning regulations

What is a conditional use permit?

a) A permit that allows a property owner to use land in a manner not allowed by the underlying zoning
regulations

b) A requirement that all new developments include green space

c) A set of guidelines for conducting environmental impact studies

d) A law that prohibits the development of certain types of land

Answer: a) A permit that allows a property owner