Energy Saving Landscapes

Abstract

Landscape as an intrinsic community resource is shown to offer a significant opportunity for energy savings through locally grown food, protection of ground water, and recreational opportunities in contrast to the direct land conversion brought on by urban decentralization. Lacking local landscape, population centers must import goods at extra fuel cost. The Metropolitan Landscape Planning Model (Metland) of Massachusetts maps and assesses landscapes as regional resources in order to identify those areas with the greatest capability and to assign dollar values on a per-acre basis. Several scenarios are developed using four commodities--milk, apples, water, and sand and gravel--to test the theory that local landscape resources offer the best and least costly source of commodities and amenities. The implications for community growth and land use planning combine considerations of social and economic benefits to the community with the development of more efficient energy use patterns. 17 references.