Landscapes - Introduction

Land use is a primary element in creating a sense of place. Land use decisions impact transportation patterns, proximity of homes to work, amount and location of nature preserves and spaces for social interaction. Currently our rural and urban areas each have a sense of place with distinct characteristics and defined boundaries. Development patterns that consume land and resources and promote auto dependency are not sustainable. As one-dimensional subdivisions and roadside residential developments appear between communities and within the rural countryside, our sense of place diminishes.