Land use planning for sustainability requires consideration of a wide spectrum of factors including transportation, development density, energy efficiency, natural corridors and open space, and growth management. The following strategies are critical components of comprehensive planning to address the complex land use issues facing our communities. 

Transit-Oriented Design 

Planning and design strategies for the development of mixed-use, walkable communities sited adjacent to transit access. 

Mixed-Use Strategies 

Development that promotes the co-existence of many community locales and services within close proximity, to reduce automobile dependency. 

Urban Growth Boundaries 

A regulatory strategy for limiting urban sprawl by creating a geographical boundary for new development over a period of time. 

Infill Development  

A strategy to promote greater development density and efficiency within existing urban boundaries. 

Greenways  

A strategy to preserve open spaces and natural systems, and provide recreation opportunities, by connecting cities, suburbs, and rural areas through linear corridors such as parks and trails. 

Brownfield Redevelopment 

A strategy for returning idle and often contaminated urban lands referred to as "Brownfields" into productive use. 

Transfer of Development Rights 

A method of exchanging development rights among property developers to increase development density and protect open space and existing land uses. 

Open Space Protection  

Ways to protect a community’s urban open space, farmland, wetlands, riparian lands, rangeland, forests and woodlands, and coastal lands. 

Urban Forestry 

Planting and maintenance of trees within a city or community as a strategy for reducing both carbon emissions and energy expenditures for heating and cooling. 

Land Trusts 

Local, regional, or statewide non-profit organizations directly involved in protecting important land resources over the long term. 

Agricultural Land Protection  

Strategies for preserving the land that feeds and clothes us, provides open space, food and habitat for diverse wildlife, and maintains a link to our nation’s agricultural heritage. 

Solar Access Protection 

Regulatory measures to provide legal protection to property owners investing in solar energy systems, through solar access ordinances.

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