Information Needs and Models for Land Use Planning

Abstract

Public concern about the use of land resources has increased in recent years. One explanation stems from accelerating changes occurring in population patterns and life styles.' Simultaneously, tight world food supplies combined with environmental pressures2 and possible changes in future technological progress3 have led to an increased realization that land resources are relatively scarce and require improved management. Land use is closely linked to such important issues as food supply, energy resources, environmental quality, and rural and urban development. This paper presents information needs and models for U.S. land use planning. The following steps are followed. First, U.S. land use planning is briefly reviewed in retrospect. Second, present land use information needs are discussed. Third, the concept of land use viewed as a process is introduced. Fourth, models for land use planning, based on methodologies utilized in recent land use research undertaken in Iowa and which seem to have applications in other states, are presented. Selected research findings obtained from application of these models are presented. Finally, utilization of land use information and further land use research needs are discussed.