Land Use Succession

Definition

Land Use Succession refers to the evolution or change in the predominant use of land within a particular neighborhood or area over time. This process may occur due to a variety of factors including shifts in population density, economic changes, policy and regulatory modifications, and social trends. For example, a neighborhood initially characterized by large single-family homes might gradually transform into an area dominated by apartment buildings and commercial developments as land use priorities shift.

Examples

Residential to Commercial: A predominantly residential area experiences an increase in commercial developments such as shops, offices, and restaurants as the local economy evolves.
Industrial to Residential: An industrial zone transforms into a residential neighborhood after factories and warehouses relocate, leading to the development of housing complexes, parks, and community amenities.
Agricultural to Urban: Farmland on the outskirts of a growing city is gradually converted into urban development including residential, commercial, and educational facilities due to increasing urbanization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the drivers of Land Use Succession?

Land use succession can be influenced by various factors including economic shifts, population growth, changes in real estate markets, policy and zoning alterations, environmental considerations, and social trends.

How does Land Use Succession impact communities?

Positive impacts can include economic growth, improved infrastructure, and better amenities. Conversely, it can also lead to gentrification, displacement of existing residents, and loss of historical and cultural heritage.

Can Land Use Succession be managed or guided?

Yes, urban planners and local governments can guide land use succession through thoughtful zoning laws, community engagement, sustainable development practices, and strategic economic planning.

Is Land Use Succession inevitable?

While not always inevitable, land use succession is a common phenomenon in dynamic urban environments. Proactive planning and policy interventions can help manage its pace and direction.

How does Land Use Succession affect property values?

Land use succession can significantly affect property values. Transition to higher-value uses (e.g., commercial from residential) can increase property values, while the reverse can lead to a decrease.

Neighborhood Life Cycle: The sequence of stages through which a neighborhood progresses over time, including development, maturity, decline, and potential renewal.
Zoning Changes: The modification of existing zoning laws to permit different uses of land, which can catalyze land use succession.
Urbanization: The process of population shift from rural areas to urban areas, often spurring land use succession.
Gentrification: The transformation of a neighborhood through the influx of more affluent residents, often associated with significant land use changes.
Redevelopment: The act of developing an area that is currently in decline or underused, frequently part of land use succession.

Online Resources

References

Rybczynski, Witold. “Last Harvest: From Cornfield to New Town: Real Estate Development from George Washington to the Builders of the Twenty-First Century, and Why We Live in Houses Anyway”. Scribner, 2007.
Jacobs, Jane. “The Death and Life of Great American Cities”. Random House, 1961.
Berry, Brian J.L., and William L. Garrison. “The Geography of Market Areas.” Prentice-Hall, 1958.
Duncan, James S. “The City as Text: The Politics of Landscape Interpretation in the Kandyan Kingdom”. CUP Archive, 1990.
Schilling, Joseph and Jonathan Logan, “Greening the Rust Belt”, Journal of the American Planning Association, 2008.

Suggested Books for Further Study

“The Urban Design Handbook: Techniques and Working Methods” by Ray Gindroz
“Principles of Urban Retail Planning and Development” by Robert J. Gibbs
“Urban Redevelopment: Strategies and Case Studies” by Raymond J. Burby
“The Rise of the Creative Class” by Richard Florida
“Order without Design: How Markets Shape Cities”

Real Estate Basics: Land Use Succession Fundamentals Quiz

### Which of the following best describes land use succession? - [ ] The shift in weather patterns over an area. - [x] The change in the predominant use of land within a neighborhood or area over time. - [ ] A process by which agricultural land is permanently protected. - [ ] The construction of highways and transportation hubs. > **Explanation:** Land use succession refers to the change in the predominant use of land within a neighborhood or area over time, often driven by societal, economic, and environmental factors. ### What is a common driver of land use succession? - [x] Economic shifts - [ ] Seasonal farming - [ ] Expansion of natural parks - [ ] Meteorological phenomena > **Explanation:** Economic shifts, such as changes in real estate markets or local economic priorities, are common drivers of land use succession. ### Which term describes the reallocation of land from industrial use to residential use? - [ ] Zoning Freeze - [x] Redevelopment - [ ] Agricultural Zoning - [ ] Greenfield Development > **Explanation:** Redevelopment describes the reallocation or transformation of land from industrial use to a residential use. ### What role do local governments play in land use succession? - [ ] They have no role. - [ ] They enforce natural laws. - [x] They manage it with zoning laws and regulations. - [ ] They dictate neighborhood aesthetics. > **Explanation:** Local governments manage land use succession through zoning laws, strategic economic planning, and other regulatory measures. ### Which process might intensify land use succession in urban areas? - [ ] Decreased migration - [ ] Rural exodus - [x] Urbanization - [ ] Suburban renewal > **Explanation:** Urbanization, or the population shift from rural to urban areas, often intensifies land use succession by creating demand for altered land uses. ### Land use succession often starts with which of the following? - [ ] Conservation initiatives - [ ] Wildlife migration - [x] Changes in zoning regulations - [ ] Seasonal variations > **Explanation:** Changes in zoning regulations often initiate land use succession by allowing or restricting certain land uses. ### How can communities balance redevelopment and historical preservation? - [x] Integrating community input and sustainable practices. - [ ] Ignoring local sentiments. - [ ] Prioritizing commercial interests exclusively. - [ ] Preserving only high-rise buildings. > **Explanation:** Balancing redevelopment with historical preservation necessitates integrating community input and sustainable development practices. ### Which term is closely linked with discomfort caused by displacing residents during land use succession? - [ ] Urbanization - [ ] Infrastructure Overhaul - [x] Gentrification - [ ] Agricultural Relocation > **Explanation:** Gentrification often causes discomfort due to the displacement of existing residents as more affluent groups move into the neighborhood. ### What effect can successful land use succession have on property values? - [x] Increase property values - [ ] Eliminate property taxes - [ ] Decrease urban infrastructure - [ ] Generate declining interest > **Explanation:** Successful land use succession, especially to higher-value uses, can increase property values due to heightened demand and improved amenities. ### What term describes the orderly planning and strategic development advocated by experts during land use succession? - [ ] Randomized Zoning - [ ] Improvisation Planning - [ ] Ad-Hoc Development - [x] Smart Growth > **Explanation:** Smart growth describes the orderly and strategic planning advocated by experts to manage land use succession effectively.