GEOGRAPHY LESSON NOTE GRADE 3.
WEEK 8
LAND USE
What Is Land Use?
The land use definition is the function or function for which humans use an area of land.
Different types of land will be used for different purposes. How land is used can change
as human habits, population change, and people move.
Since land is a finite space needed and used by everyone, some laws and regulations
protect and ensure it is used safely and fairly. This protection is accomplished within
towns and cities using zoning laws and regulations. Zoning keeps residential,
commercial, and industrial uses of the land separate for the collective good of all. Land
use is also managed at the state and national levels to ensure that public and protected
land are used properly. In the photograph of New York City, the recreational land of
Central Park is visibly surrounded by residential, commercial, and transportational land
uses. City zoning ensures that Central Park is protected for recreational use only.
The recreational land of Central Park is
visibly surrounded by residential,
commercial, and transportational land
uses. City zoning ensures that Central Park
is protected for recreational use only.
Different Types of Land Use
What are land use examples? Generally speaking, there are six main types of land use or
categories for which humans use land. Land use mostly falls within six main categories,
including agricultural, residential, recreational, commercial, industrial,
and transportation. There are specific guidelines specifying where it can be located and
how it can be used in most areas.
Individuals or groups can privately own land. Land that is not privately owned is
called public land. Public land is considered owned by everyone and paid for through
taxpayer taxes. Public land will have specific rules regarding how it can be used, and it is
managed by federal, state, and local government agencies.
Some areas of public land are also designated as protected land. Protected land is public
land with special properties or unique features that require the protection of more
restrictive and specific laws as to what is allowed. National parks like Yellowstone or the
Grand Canyon are examples of public lands that are also protected.
Land Use Examples
The six main categories and examples of each are described as follows:
Recreational land use is the land that is used for recreational purposes. In rural
areas, this includes camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, etcetera. Urban areas can
include city parks, playing fields, hiking and biking trails, etcetera. Laws and
zoning regulations ensure that the land is only used for recreational purposes.
Agricultural land use is land used for growing crops such as corn, wheat, beans,
etcetera, and orchards and vineyards. It also includes land used in raising and
grazing farm animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, etcetera.
Commercial land use is land that has been zoned for use in the sale of goods and
services for financial profit. Examples of commercial land use include central
business districts, shopping districts such as large or strip malls, and many kinds
of health and personal services.
Industrial land use is the land used in the manufacturing, storing, packaging,
processing, etcetera. For example, manufacturing plants, sawmills, chemical
plants, oil refineries, etcetera.
Transport land use is the land delegated to the moving or transportation of goods
and people from one spot to another. Examples include roads, highways, railroads,
and airports.
Residential land use is the land used for housing. It includes single-family units
with yards to multiple-unit structures such as apartment complexes,
condominiums, and townhomes.
WEEK 5
Grand Canyon National Park is public and
protected land designated for recreational
land use. State and federal laws protect the
special and unique features and animals of
the park. Differing land use is not typically
allowed on-site.
Significance of Types of Land Use
The land is a finite resource, which means that when land is taken for one use, it has to
come from land used for a different purpose. As human populations move and change,
information about land use can guide decisions and ensure that land is used fairly and its
quality is not compromised.
When populations move into cities from rural areas, it is called urbanization.
Urbanization typically presents a need for land-use change. With more people comes the
need for more housing and jobs, which could mean that agricultural or natural
recreational land use must be converted to residential, business, industrial, and
transportational land use. There is also land designated for recreational use (parks,
playgrounds, etcetera.)
City planners and other agencies study how and where people settle to make predictions
and recommendations for future land use. Regulations and zoning laws are based on this
information and guide proper land use.
Zoning and regulating how land is used can protect the quality of an area, whether urban
or rural. For example, land zoned for residential development may be best when situated
in an area away from large agricultural or industrial zones. On the other hand,
commercial land use may be well suited to be near residential land.
The photo shows the land as it used for rail transportation in
Los Angeles, CA. Note the vast amount of land required and
how it may make the location residential or other land use
undesirable.
ASSESSMENT
Land Use Exercise
In this lesson, we learned about the different types of land uses and zoning. Additionally,
we learned of the importance of each type of land and why it is important to properly
zone areas. Answer the following questions to demonstrate your mastery of this topic.
Section 1: Overview of Land Use
What is the definition of land use?
What is the definition of zoning? What are the different types of government
agencies that may be involved in zoning?
Section 2: Importance of Land Use
Why is proper zoning important?
What is deforestation? Why is this of major concern for zoning regulation?
What is urbanization? How is this impacting land use and zoning?
Section 3: Types of Land Use
What are the five types of land use? Define these uses.
What is the importance of recreational use land? Where is this land likely to be
located relative to other types of land?
What is the importance of transportation zoning? What are some specific concerns
and items that must be addressed with transportation?
What are some primary considerations in identifying suitable land for agriculture?
How are improvements in agricultural technologies impacting the use of this land?
What are the different types of residential areas? Will the density of residential
zoning impact the zoning of other types of land in close proximity? If so, how and
why?
What are the two major types of commercial use land? Why is it important to
make this differentiation?
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