Land Use Mapping - Coursework Example

Land Use Mapping. Instruction: Land Use Mapping. Land is one of the most important resources all over the world. As a resource, land is the basis upon which all other assets and resources are based. Therefore, the way that land is used is very much essential in ensuring that the land is effectively planned and managed for the best and most efficient utilization. All over the world, land is available in different forms that cannot generally be adopted for effective use without some proper management and planning. As such, land use is involved with the effective utilization of different forms of land to ensure that they are all used in the best way possible. It is worth noting that land exists in different forms all over the world, and it is essential that a decent mechanism be used to utilize the different forms of land as effectively as possible. Generally, land is used for different forms such as settlements, agricultural undertakings, pastures, reserves, and even woods for the maintenance of the environmental essentials such as wildlife. Therefore, this highlights that land use takes different forms in light of the different uses that we utilize it for. In light of this, it is necessary to plan and zone land use for the most efficient utilization, which subsequently results in a variety of significances or outcomes. One major significance of land use mapping for planning and zoning is that it facilitates the assessment for the sustainability or maintenance associated with land use such that it is easier to relate land use and its long-term capability of handling the different uses it may be subjected to. Through the different forms of land use, it is important to understand the most efficient way of utilizing the land such that it is sustainable in the long-run. It would not be prudent to utilize land in such a way that the resource gets depleted after a short period such that the whole point of the utilization gets jeopardized. In light of this, land use mapping takes note of the different land characteristics such as the water constraints, the structure of the land, the texture and grain size (Levy 2013, p. 187). All these factors are considered when looking at the most efficient way of utilizing the land for planning and zoning. In short, this tries to look at the capabilities of the land when planning the most efficient use for the land. Therefore, each mapped portion of land can then be allocated to the use for which it is best suited, and this subsequently results in a situation where the land is used particularly for the most suitable use that can possibly be gained from it. Additionally, apart from the conventionality of ensuring that the land is used for what it is best suited, there is the element of sustainability such that the land is able to sustain the use for as long as possible, as opposed to a situation where the land is depleted of its resources well before significant gain has been made from it. Therefore, this highlights one of the importance associated with land use mapping in planning and zoning. Additionally, land use mapping makes it possible to evaluate the different forms of available land for the benefit of national, governmental or regional evaluations which is important in ensuring that the records are essential for any use for which they may be subjected at a later time. Land use mapping is typically carried out with governmental or state bodies, and the data or information gotten from these evaluations is essential in that it gives the governments and any other interested bodies some information on the exact state of the land for the benefit of subsequent utilization. By having information on the state of the land through the mapping techniques, the governmental bodies can effectively monitor the way that land is utilized, and this in itself carries various benefits. For a start, it enables the government to have the ability of planning the different developmental undertakings that require proper land development, in addition to giving the government sole control over the allocation of land as a resource required by all (Levy 2013, p. 245). This reduces the chances or risks associated with a society in which land as a resource has no major oversight over its use and ownership. Essentially, this prevents conflicts associated with land ownership, as it is the government that will have say over how land is to be used and by whom. Moreover, land use mapping makes it possible for diversification of land use such that it is easy to delineate and demarcate different uses of land as per different factors that may be deemed viable. This is particularly true for agricultural uses as it gives the mapping a much wider perspective for evaluating the utility of different types of land in light of the different agricultural undertakings that the contemporary world is accustomed to. Additionally, the element of opportunities for variation or modification makes it possible for land mapping to facilitate the scheduling of land use such that the depletion of one resource in the land may make the land actually suitable for an all new and different form of land use. As already highlighted, this is particularly true for agricultural uses as different forms of agriculture require different forms of land properties and mineral content. What one needs might not be what another needs. Therefore, land use mapping makes it possible for the relevant authorities to schedule agricultural planning and zoning that cycles land use in a manner such that the land is always well endowed for different forms of agricultural uses over each season. However, this requires and elaborate mapping mechanism that constantly monitors the way the land is used and evaluates the viability of the land in light of the different forms of use for which it may be subjected. As such, this importance of land use is particularly useful for situations where the land is to be optimized for agricultural purposes. Another very imperative significance or importance of land use mapping is the advantages that it brings to the environment as a framework that holds all of the earth’s resources. The environment is made up of all the elements that define life as we know it. Through the integration of all these factors, the environment plays a very crucial role in determining the importance of land as a natural resource. In fact, the utilization of land is a subject of the environment such that it is the environment that facilitates the proper and most efficient land utilization mechanism. However, lack of oversight into land use often results in poor land use practices that translate into poor environmental conservation. The impact of this is that it translates into conditions that prevent the proper utilization of land, thereby hampering the very ideals of land use mapping. In light of this, land use mapping ensures that environmental considerations are effectively taken into account when dealing with the uses for which different forms of land are allocated. Environmental impacts take different forms, and it is increasingly important that all of them are looked at when dealing with the different forms of land use as occasioned by land mapping. As such, land use mapping helps in the assessment of the different forms of environmental impacts that arise from using land extensively (Bryson 2011, p. 209). Landis always at risk from different types and forms of degradation as a result of its use, and an assessment and evaluation of these different forms of risks makes it possible for the land to be used in an effective and convenient manner without the risks associated with exhausting the resource. Different aspects of life also require different forms of land use that all have to be taken into consideration when evaluating land use. Apart from the essential factors such as viability and the suitability of using a given piece of land for a certain undertaking, there is the relationship that different kinds of industries have between each other to the extent that it facilitates the land use allocated to such lands. As an example, airports generally require vast areas of land for expansion purposes as well as the safety that is associated with the aviation industry. This means that when allocating land to aviation related uses, the planning has to take such factors into consideration to prevent a situation whereby there is constant risks and possibility for expansion is almost zero. While this is just an example that illustrates the aviation industry, each and every other industry and element of life that requires the zoning and land planning has its own rules and regulations that govern land allocation apart from the basics of viability (Bryson 2011, p. 267). In light of this, land use mapping makes it possible for such industries to take these distant requirements into account and oversee their proper implementation. Particularly, this significance of land use mapping applies for uses that call for safety concerns such as aviation, settlements, military, and places of interest such as governmental outfits that require great secrecy against political enemies. From a wide perspective, land use planning makes it possible to factor in changes that may come into the society in later stages due to the dynamisms associated with the contemporary society. As the economy develops and changes, it gradually becomes necessary to adopt different approaches to the various elements of life such as agriculture, urban development, settlements, and wild life reservations. If land use was left without any form of planning, it would be increasingly difficult to implement any of these changes that come with the need to adapt to changing times. In fact, developmental agendas would have to be put to a hold as the land has to be able to sustain the changes brought forth by development (Berke 2007, p. 199). This means that the ability to adapt new developmental ideas to pre-existing uses of land is a possibility that is only brought forth due to efficient land use planning. Therefore, land use planning has to factor the need for change in later times as one of the tenets that define its idealization as an effective tool for facilitating development. This progressive characteristic highlights another importance associated with land use mapping for planning and zoning. Additionally, land use mapping makes it possible for the different facets of life to interact efficiently in the utilization of the available resources. This means that through land use planning, it is possible to structure the allocation of land such that the different needs are met in such a way that the entities that are most related are within precincts of each other for the better utilization of the available resources (Bryson 2011, p. 301). This can be illustrated by the fact that certain related entities such as agricultural land and their corresponding factories are within reach of each other to enable for fluid operations between the two. Additionally, parks and recreational facilities are basically established in places within settlements such that the public is able to gain the most from them. This illustration shows that land use mapping is essential in the zoning of different forms of land use in precise locations to enable the most utilization that can possibly be gotten from them. As such, this denotes the importance associated with land use in that it highlights the efficiency that land use planning brings to the various forms of use that land is subjected to. Given that the byproducts of one industry may be the raw materials of another, land use planning makes it possible to structure the location of such industries in such a way that they can gain the most from each other, and thereby facilitate efficiency and convenience on the side of the entities involved. One of the most important gains made from land use planning is the way that it facilitates the realization of equality and fairness in the allocation of land as a resource. Through land use planning, the different entities that are in need of land are each able to get roughly equal portions of the resource. It is worth noting that land is resource that is needed in almost any undertaking. It is from land that every activity is based, meaning that each activity is bound to need land in abundance. However, the limited availability of land makes this a difficult task, and if there is no proper look into the way that land is managed, it is very possible that certain industries may have more of the resource than others (Bryson 2011, p. 354). This would result in an imbalance as it is difficult for large entities to give up resources once they have gotten hold of them. Therefore, land use planning makes sure that it is fairly allocated and each entity is zoned according to the criteria deemed most suitable. Therefore, this ensures equality in the allocation of land as a resource and also maintains some form of equilibrium such that the necessary precautions are taken to prevent any form of grabbing and unlawful activity (Berke 2007, p. 154). In many instances where there is no elaborate land use planning mechanisms, power and might guides allocation of land as a resource, and the overall result is that most entities survive in a state such that some have excess resources while others are deprived of resources. Therefore, land use mapping’s ability to enable equity in the allocation of resources is also a major importance that it is associated with. Land use planning also facilitates the realization of the legal requirements of certain elements of allocating resources for the different uses in the community. This is particularly in line with the hierarchical needs in the society that often call for certain requirements carrying more weight than others. As such, aspects of national security often take precedence over other needs such as the creation of settlement schemes. While it is important to evaluate the requirements of each of the uses of land, prioritization is also as important, as it spells out the general long-term impacts associated with taking care of decisions that might impact on the general realization of stability in the community (Berke 2007, p. 175). In such situations, it becomes prudent to overlook the aspects of viability and equality and instead prioritize elements of security. Security is just an example that illustrates the element of hierarchy in land use mapping for planning and zoning, there are other aspects that may be deemed to carry more weight in light of factors decided upon by committees mandated with looking into land use mapping. Therefore, this highlights the way that land use mapping facilitates the consideration of the different legal contexts that are definitive of the contemporary society. This basically refers to the importance that land use mapping brings in the legal context of hierarchical considerations that have to be taken into account when allocating land resources. Land use planning also increases the efficiency in the management of decisions that carry weight in development. Development calls for the coordination of the needs of the individual, the community, and business interests. All these elements have different needs that vary in both magnitude and bearing. This means that coming up with a decision that touches on all three elements requires a system able and efficient enough to consider the requirements in light of the existing conditions. Moreover, making such a decision calls for the ability to consider all the necessary factors in such a way that all the elements are effectively integrated to ensure the most efficient outcome. Such a system can only be realized through land use mapping for planning and zoning, as this facilitates the effective consideration of all the necessary factors that are involved in developmental organization (Levy 2013, p. 301). Without such a proper and well-organized mapping, the community or individual may override the interests of the business aspect of a community, and this will lead to difficulties on the side of the individual’s way of life. Therefore, land use mapping makes it easier for effective and time conscious decision making for the developmental agendas of a community. In a world with ever increasing population, there is an increasing need to monitor the utilization of the available resources in such a manner that the most can be achieved from them. One such important resource is land, and this is the reasoning behind the need for land use mapping. Therefore, the various needs for land such as settlement schemes, economic activities, and the need for environmental protection all call for an elaborate mechanism for organization that integrates all these needs as efficiently as possible. Therefore, land use mapping facilitates effective assessment for sustainability, looks into the environmental considerations, and also assesses any other factor that is essential in evaluating the use of land. In all, the foregoing factors highlight the importance of land use mapping for planning and zoning particularly in light of the contemporary society. References. Levy, J. (2013). Contemporary Urban Planning. New York, NY: Pearson Education. Berke, P. (2007). Urban Land Use Planning. Illinois, IL: University of Illinois Press. Bryson, J. (2011). Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations: A Guide to Strengthening and Sustaining Organizational Achievement. Indianapolis, IN: John Wiley & Sons. Read More